Post and Beam Kits Combined with Expertise Simplify the Building Process

Post and beam construction has a rich history and is renowned around the world for both its unique aesthetic and structural integrity. There are historic examples of post and beam homes and other buildings across Europe and Japan. Some of the oldest, still standing structures date back to the twelfth century! While a lot has changed since then, the basic principals behind building post and beam homes remain the same.

How Does a Post and Beam Construction Differ from Conventional Construction?

Post and beam homes are constructed using heavy timbers that become the structural basis of the building. For example, at Normerica, we use 8’’ x 8” or larger posts. This is different from conventional construction – commonly referred to within the industry as stick framing – which uses 2” x 4” boards to create the exterior and interior walls that support the building.

So, what does this mean for your home? Well, structural timber frame allows for large open concept spaces within your home or cottage without the need for load-bearing interior walls. Stunning great rooms and arching cathedral ceilings are a couple of the most unique and inviting features associated with post and beam homes.

Post & Beam Construction Combined with a Prefabrication?

By combining the structural integrity of post and beam construction with the efficiency of prefabricated house construction principles, your home can be built with the beauty and esthetic of spectacular great rooms and cathedral ceilings with the benefits that come with using prefabricated house construction as the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) points out, including:

• Faster construction time
• Lower labour costs
• Fewer weather-related delays
• Mechanization means precise conformity to building code standards and elevated standards of the designer, in Normerica’s case
• High degree of customization at a lower cost

Surprisingly, prefabricated structures rarely match the expectations most people have. Many believe that prefabrication means limiting the design, when actually the opposite is the case. With prefabrication, your customized design can be achieved at a lower cost. The customized structural timber frame is cut off site and delivered, ready to build, at your location with accurately positioned window and door openings.

Mechanization in prefabricated house construction means precision, ease and speed of assembly and building code conformity. In the case of Normerica customized prefabricated house post and beam kits, the industry leading wall system, built to your home’s unique design, combined with the timbers are what make up our state of the art post and beam kits, which have a reputation for both ease of construction and cutting edge energy efficiency. When they arrive at your building site, the timbers and wall panels go together seamlessly and your entire home can be erected quickly and efficiently. To find out more about Normerica’ post and beam construction packages, download the Timber Frame Residential Construction Guide.

Post and Beam Construction Experts Simplifies the Process of Building Your Home

When designing and constructing your post and beam home, you need to be sure that your custom home builders and designers are experts in post and beam construction to ensure the smoothest and most predictable process, ensuring your peace of mind. They need to understand what your needs are and how to incorporate them into the design and building process as cost effectively as possible while maintaining beauty and integrity.

Normerica has been in business since 1979 and has built stunning post and beam houses across Canada, the United States, and around the world. Since our inception, we have invested ourselves in designing and building beautiful structures that are backed by cutting edge building science. We have refined and perfected our post and beam construction building system and we stand behind our buildings with one of the best warranties in the industry.

Many of our past clients find our online post and beam house plans to be a great jumping off point to start to narrow down what you think would work best for your family.

Introduction to Post and Beam Construction: Your Questions Answered

Q: What is post and beam construction and how does it work?

Post and beam construction is a method of building in which the structural load of the home is carried by a framework of heavy vertical posts and horizontal beams, rather than by the walls themselves. At Normerica, posts are typically 8" x 8" or larger. Because the timber frame carries the roof and floor loads, interior walls become non-structural partitions that can be placed — or removed — freely, enabling the large open concept spaces, cathedral ceilings, and dramatic great rooms that define the post and beam aesthetic.

Q: How does post and beam construction differ from conventional stick-frame construction?

Conventional stick-frame construction — the most common building method in North America — uses 2" x 4" lumber to create the exterior and interior walls that together support the structure. Post and beam construction replaces this wall-dependent system with a heavy timber frame that stands independently, which is why post and beam homes can achieve open floor plans and soaring interior spaces that are structurally impossible with standard stick framing.

Q: What are the advantages of combining post and beam construction with prefabrication?

Prefabricating the timber frame and wall panels off-site — as Normerica does — delivers several significant advantages: faster construction timelines, reduced on-site labour costs, fewer weather-related delays, and a higher degree of dimensional precision than is achievable with site-built construction. The components are cut and assembled to exact specifications in a controlled factory environment, then delivered to the build site ready to erect. Contrary to what many people assume, prefabrication does not limit design options — it actually makes a higher level of customization achievable at a lower cost.

Q: Does prefabrication mean the home design is limited or generic?

No — this is one of the most common misconceptions about prefabricated post and beam construction. Normerica's prefabricated packages are built to each client's unique design, with custom timber layouts, accurately positioned window and door openings, and wall panels manufactured to fit the specific floor plan. The factory process ensures precision and consistency; it does not constrain what can be designed. Many of Normerica's most architecturally ambitious homes are built using the prefabricated package system.

Q: How long has Normerica been building post and beam homes?

Normerica was founded in 1979 and has been designing and building post and beam homes, cottages, clubhouses, and commercial structures across Canada, the United States, and internationally for over 45 years. The company's building system has been continuously refined over that period, and Normerica backs its buildings with one of the best warranties in the industry.