You are here:
Building Homes or Extensions/Expert Profile
Expertise
I can answer questions about designing and building homes and outbuildings, especially for colder climates. I am expert in timber framing, but of course I also know about other kinds of residential construction techniques and materials. Because of my emphasis on using local materials and organic alternatives, I know quite about about Green Building and am willing to do the research to find out more.
Experience in the area
I've been a timber framer for 20 years, working as a general contractor who designs and builds custom timberframe homes, working as much as possible with local organic materials, from foundation to finish. I also have expertise in designing, building, and setting up pre-fab remote camp facilities on terra firma or temperate glaciers for research and expeditions, using helicopters for support.
Education/Credentials
B.A., M.F.A.
What do you like about this subject?
I enjoy helping clients visualize their projects and then turning those concepts into reality. Timberframing itself is a kind of sport for me, energetic and challenging both mentally and physically.
What do you still hope to achieve/learn in this field?
I'm always trying to create a masterpiece.
Something interesting about this subject that others may not know:
Every building has a visible, tangible skeleton that defines the living spaces. In this way, it is much like a living creature.
Something controversial or provocative about this subject
A tension exists between the kind of timber framing we do by hand and that done by machine. Although there are similarities in joinery and overall design, much of the integrity of timber framing tends to be compromised during mass production. Machines can make very large homes feasible, but my favorite timber frames are made by hand from local materials and assembled without cranes.
Average Ratings
Recent Reviews from Users
K = Knowledgeability C = Clarity of Response P = Politeness| User | Date | K | C | P | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jerry | 04/29/12 | 10 | 10 | 10 | Thanks |
| Jerry | 03/26/12 | 10 | 10 | 10 | Thanks Daniel |
| Linda | 03/02/12 | 10 | 10 | 10 | Excellent, timely response. The suggestions are certainly ..... |
| danny | 02/02/12 | 10 | 10 | 10 | Thank You Daniel, Im not thru with ..... |
| Curtis | 01/14/12 | 10 | 10 | 10 | Great. Thanks a lot. I hadn't heard ..... |
Recent Answers from Daniel Humphrey
2012-04-06 Covered Porch Extension:
Tana, Your project sounds very cool. I am very familiar with the kind of environment you describe, since I grew up in Willcox and Silver City. The design you are considering could get pretty wet during
2012-03-20 Removing Roof Trusses and Adding Floor Joists and Rafters or Trusses:
Dear Ernie, I have opened up truss spaces before by taking out the webbing pieces and replacing them with knee walls, saddle beams, plywood gussets, scissor trusses, and things like that. I have also
2012-02-27 Building on to a single wide Mobile Home:
Dear Linda, The best way to expand a mobile home is to build a trussed roof structure completely over it, supported by its own foundation. The roof structure is built exactly like a pole barn. This
2012-01-14 Insulating an exposed deck on beam ceiling:
Dear Bill, The proper way to do it is to insulate above and re-roof. Infilling between the beams is difficult, doesn't look as good as the original deck, and the insulation value is not very efficient
2012-01-14 Advice for an apt over a garage?:
Curtis, Mainly, make sure the floor between the two is airtight. You have a chance to seal the floor layer from both above and below during construction. Then you can insulate and install sheetrock
Answers by Expert:
©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.