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Frequently Asked Questions
Home :A. Timber frame design and construction
What species of wood are suitable for timber frames?
What is CNC?
What is the difference between hand cut and CNC cut?
Do you cut frames only with CNC?
Which CAD program do you use?
B. Timber frame life and maintenance
How long does a timber frame last?
What type of coating should I use?
C. Planning a timber frame purchase
How do you calculate the cost of a frame?
Where do you ship your products?
How long does it take for a frame to be delivered?
What do I need to do before purchasing a frame?
D. More about Daizen Joinery Ltd.
Who do you work with?
Who assembles the frames?
Do you build Japanese-style houses?
Do you sell tools and videos?
How is Daizen involved with B. Allan Mackie School of Log Building?
Can I visit your shop?
A. Timber frame design and construction
What species of wood are suitable for timber frames?
We use softwood for frames. In our location, we have a great selection of wood species: Douglas fir, Western red cedar, yellow cedar, pine, spruce, larch, and hemlock. Our climate produces trees with excellent quality, with tight and straight grain.
Each of these species is best suited for a particular use. Western red cedar is the most durable against weather conditions, which is why we use it for roof materials and exterior siding materials. Pine is strong but not as strong as Douglas fir, so we use it for furniture or flooring materials. Spruce is the strongest when weight is an issue — it's used for aircraft materials.
Douglas fir is the strongest of these softwoods. It's also flexible and durable. We believe that it's the most suitable material for timber frames.
What is CNC?
CNC stands for Computer Numeric Control. We design all frame members with a special CAD program so that our system will cut parts exactly as determined by computer. With CNC cuts, you can expect the cuts to be straight, the surface to be flat, and the joints to be tight. You will have 100 percent comfort and satisfaction with the joinery quality and the frame function.
What is the difference between hand cut and CNC cut?
Hand cut quality depends on the skill of the person who cuts the joint detail. Often it's difficult for engineers to calculate or approve the structure strength if it's cut by hand because the strength depends on the quality of the work. As a result, they end up using a lot of steel support in a frame. With CNC cut, one can be sure that all the joint details are tight and strong, and engineers can calculate the load to be transferred.
Because the hand cut process takes a long time, it is often possible to change details during the process. It isn't possible with the CNC process, however. We cut 100 pieces a day, so we can't change details once production has begun.
Do you cut frames only with CNC?
We try to cut most details by machine, but machines have limitations. To make each frame unique, we add a bit of artistic hand cut to our frames.
Which CAD program do you use?
See 3D Modeling.
B. Timber frame life and maintenance
How long does a timber frame last?
Timber frames last as long as the wood lasts. However, it is important to have a good design that protects timber from weather and lets air go through so that the timber will stay dry.
The lifespan of wood depends on the age of the wood when it's cut from the tree. Wood from a 100-year-old tree will last longer than wood from a 50-year-old tree. Being older doesn't necessarily mean that it'll last longer, however. There is a point at which wood starts to lose strength as it gets old.
We use material that is over 80 years old, determined by having eight to 13 rings per inch. Its longer life is an important factor when choosing material for a frame.
What type of coating should I use?
Many types of coatings are available. Some coatings last longer than others, but none of them will last more than a couple of years. When you choose a coating, consider the re-coating method as well as durability. With some coatings, it's necessary to peel off the remaining coating before applying a new coat.
Whatever type you choose, pay attention to the manufacturer's specifications and recommendations.
We use coatings from these manufacturers:
C. Planning a timber frame purchase
How do you calculate the cost of a frame?
One of the biggest costs is for the materials, so we use the volume of wood to be used when we do our cost calculations. Some designs use more wood than others. We separate our material costs and cutting costs. While we recommend using the best grade of wood we can get, each choice makes the cost different.
For further cost information, see our Price Estimation page or contact us. When we know what you need, we can provide an estimate.
Where do you ship your products?
Our products have been shipped within Canada, to the USA, and to Japan. We can also ship to some other Asian countries (depending on their regulations) and to Europe.
How long does it take for a frame to be delivered?
Once a project has been ordered, it takes about 12 to 18 weeks until it's ready to be shipped. The time needed depends on the project details as well as our manufacturing schedule. We recommend that you check our schedule with us before placing an order.
What do I need to do before purchasing a frame?
With some changes, most floor plans can work with timber frames. It isn't necessary to have a frame design first. Like any other house design, you start with the demands of the house, the space design, and the floor design.
Frames are required to meet local building code specifications. Most of the time, engineers are required to approve the frame strength. It isn't efficient to start the design or discuss details without learning the limitations you have.
We recommend contacting us before you finalize your floor plan. When you have a clear idea of what you want, we can discuss the timber frame concept with you.
D. More about Daizen Joinery Ltd.
Who do you work with?
To keep our pricing competitive, we work with building professionals. If you are a home owner and wish to purchase a frame from us, you can have your contractor contact us, or we can refer you to a contractor in your area. Please don't hesitate to contact us, and we'll help you find a contractor.
Who assembles the frames?
Assembling is mostly the contractor’s responsibility. If the location is close to our location, we may be able to send a crew to assemble the frame. However, any experienced framer can assemble the buildings with our information package, .
Some special projects may require additional consideration. For such projects, we may send a supervisor to the location.
Do you make Japanese-style houses?
Yes, we build Japanese-style homes on request. We apply centuries-old traditions at the design stage, and we bring in Japanese materials for the roof, straw floor mats, and decorative materials. We can also bring in specialists to work on the project.
Do you sell tools and videos?
Yes, we sell Japanese specialty tools through a different division of our company. Through word of mouth, we are now selling these tools steadily. We don't intend to sell tools as our business, so we don't carry any tools that you can readily get in North America.
We are also the distributor of Building of Logs videos and DVDs.
How is Daizen involved with B. Allan Mackie School of Log Building?
Daizen has been supporting B. Allan Mackie School of Log Building for over 10 years. Dai Yoshito Ona, the owner of Daizen Joinery, is the school director.
Daizen runs courses at B. Allan Mackie every fall. Daizen has also produced an instructional video that makes their techniques available to the public.
Can I visit your shop?
Everyone is welcome at our shop. We are located in Chase, British Columbia, Canada, up on a mountain in the middle of nowhere. Our Contact page has directions to our shop. It may be hard to find us, so please give us a call before you plan to visit us.
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