POST AND BEAM and PIECE-EN-PIECE LOG CONSTRUCTION

There are really no limits to the design possibilities of post and beam construction which allows for design versatility in both in layout as well as to a variety of wood surface treatments. So the question is probably What suits you best? Rustic? Contemporary? Modern? Traditional? Piece-en-piece? Dimensional? Natural?
We began specializing in Post and Beam in 1997 and have delivered both small and ambitious projects to a wide spectrum of destinations including North Carolina, Japan and Denmark.

Post and Beam construction also is adaptable to a wide range of budgets, can feature very simple or complex joinery, and adapts well as a hybrid when incorporating several rounds of scribe-fit or chinked dovetail logwork at the base of the structure.
Post and beam uses fewer logs than dovetail or scribed and is a lovely way of illustrating the form and function of the structure. Typically the logs are flattened on the inside faces of the wall to accept stress-skin infill panels or conventional 2x6 framing, while the interior and exterior of the logs retain their organic shape. Infill panels can be finished with stucco, tongue and groove or board and batten. Interior walls are typically finished with drywall or plaster.

PIECE-EN-PIECE

Piece-En-Piece Log Home - Nicola LogWorks
A Piece-en-Piece Log Structure is essentially a load bearing post and beam frame using horizontal log in-fill panels for the walls.The tradition of piece-en-piece was a logical choice in areas where long logs were less available. The short-log in-fill panels also made construction easier in the absence of the lifting systems we enjoy today.
When hand-crafted, piece-en-piece is the most expensive option as it is so labour intensive; (each log - short or long requires cutting and fitting to the posts),but now that we are implimenting our robot assisted log building techniques we are not only able to produce our piece-en-piece buildings at lower production costs than all of our other log construction styles, but we are achieving tolerances and fits that we could only dream of before using this technology.

Logs used for post and beam and piece-en-piece log homes are approximately 18" -24" in diameter. Our species of choice are Western red cedar and Douglas fir and when available Alaska yellow cedar.

To view more images of post and beam or piece-en-piece homes: "Post and Beam Gallery"
Or view our video "Post and Beam Log Homes - An Overview":

Testimonials

Mohawk College Reference

Nicola Log Works has the ability to source and custom fabricate the materials required for the installation and the ship these components several thousand miles across the country where Nicola crew efficiently erected the structure. In the future I hope to be fortunate enough to work with Nicola Log Works and John Boys and I would not hesitate to recommend Nicola’s service to any one requiring wood or log structure work.

David Nairne and Associates

John Boys and Nicola Loworks have played a positive role in the complex project delivery process with contribution to both design and construction through attention to detail, project preparation, and their knowledge and passion for the celebration of wood

Mohawk College Reference