Work
Forest Rose Joinery focuses on traditionally-influenced, heavy-timber construction. My aim for each finished project is to improve the given space in a subtle, vernacular way.
The charts below attempt to outline the type of work I tend to take on. You can also view previous work on the projects page.
If you can't find an answer to a question below, or would just like to chat about your project, feel free to contact me!
Types of Work:
All of the work I do can be generally defined by mortise and tenon joinery. Within this, I am most attracted to traditional timber frame construction, but I do not limit myself to projects that are entirely historic or traditional in nature. Most projects do not cleanly fall into a “traditional” or “modern” category. That said, I do believe the many traditional timber-frame methods that have been developed over the last several thousand years are “proven” and not needing to be changed. This will not so much influence design, but rather my approach to fabrication, material selection, joinery design, etc.
I am mostly interested in taking on small to moderate sized projects. Examples include small garden structures, pergolas, cabins, and home additions. While larger projects (think maybe 2500+sqft, depending on design) might be too much for me and my modest shop to handle alone, I may be able to couple with other builders to accomplish the project. Regardless, I would still be interested in hearing about what you are planning.
While it obviously somewhat depends on the project, generally speaking, yes! As you will probably read elsewhere on this page though, I value your money and property more than I value a job obtained. While all jobs of this nature involve a bit of “unknown” and risk, I will not take on a job that is clearly out of depth for either my skillset or for the size of my business. If this is the case, I would be happy to help find another company to assist with your project.
No. General Contracting is not something I am trained in nor practice.
For certain projects, yes. I model structures using SketchUp, which is especially helpful in the early-level concept phase. For projects that do not require an engineer’s stamp, my modeling may suffice. That said, other projects may require the assistance of an architect and/or engineer.
Absolutely! If you are or have a builder looking for a subcontractor to handle timber work, or are an architect looking to materialize an idea, I would love to help! It is important to mention, too, that the sooner we connect, the better! Connecting early on in the project can help prevent re-designs, install troubles, etc.
Nope! For now, I plan to stick to fabrication of the timber-framed portion of the project.
While I try to stick to timber frame fabrication and raising, I may be willing to handle some elements of “finish work”, depending on the size and type of project. This would be limited to things such as decorative roof decking, wood siding, finish, etc.
Sometimes. While I have some experience in a variety of woodworking fields, the more projects I complete, the more value and worth I find in specialization vs generalization. That said, if I feel my skillset can help add to a project instead of detract from it, I may be interested! Feel free to reach out about any potential project. If I can't help, perhaps I know someone who can.
Process:
Mostly with traditional hand tools. While I do use some power-tools for bulk stock removal, the vast majority of joinery is cut with non-electric hand tools - handsaw, mallet, chisel, etc. Speaking from experience, these tools can be more efficient than power tools in particular situations, but I also believe they keep with the “spirit” of timber-framing. A big part of what makes these structures special is that they are seen as “bench made” and “hand-crafted”. I do not want to create an illusion, and by doing the vast majority of work with a non-mechanized tool, I feel I am keeping true to the nature of the craft, and am also providing the customer with a large part of "what they pay for". Also worth noting though, I really enjoy using hand tools. They make for a very pleasant shop environment, are good exercise, and I am proud to carry on the tradition of their efficient use.
It largely depends on the size, location, and surroundings of the building site. Most companies tend to raise their frames with a handful of people and the use of a crane or material handler. Historically, frames were raised by (lots of) hand(s) with the help of simple tools. These “raising days” were often community parties, and were highly anticipated and celebrated events. I am very attracted to this style of raising, and hope to incorporate it on appropriate projects with willing and able customers (and their friends).
It first depends on the application, and secondarily the customer’s budget and desired look. I try hard to use a locally grown and native species that are appropriate for the specified use. For instance, outdoor structures must be made from a naturally rot-resistant species (I try very, very, very hard not to use treated lumber). In Ohio, we have several of these species, White Oak being very common. For interior spaces that are out of the weather, Eastern White Pine is often a great choice in that it is affordable and clean-looking.
It obviously depends on the size of the project, but you could reasonably expect somewhere between 1-4 months of fabrication on small/moderate sized frames. Once completed, raising is usually a quick process - one to a handful of days.
General Business Info:
You can find a longer explanation in the About section, but being brief: I have been timber framing professionally for a bit less than a decade. I previously worked at a small timber frame shop in Lancaster, OH, where I assisted in fabrication, designing, and project management. For the last three years, I have been “off on my own”, focusing mostly on producing timber products for my dad’s business and occasionally mixing in a custom, one-off timber projects.
I prefer to work in the Central Ohio region. Popular areas include the Hocking Hills, German Village, Victorian Village, Upper Arlington, Bexley, Clintonville, Grandview, Granville, New Albany, and of course, Lancaster. That said, I am willing to travel, but not much more than a half-day’s drive from central Ohio.
My modest shop is located in Lancaster, Ohio - nicely situated between Columbus and the Hocking Hills.
Yes! For your sake and mine.
Nope, it is just me doing the framing on a day-to-day basis, but I have connections with other companies if needed for larger projects and raisings.
Timber Frame Questions:
I would define timber framing as a form of carpentry that uses “heavy” wood timbers to create aesthetically pleasing, long-lasting, and robust structures. The timbers are often left exposed in the final, finished structure. These timbers are joined together using a variety of wooden “joints”, carved into each member, and held together with wooden pegs, without relying on steel brackets. The end result is a structure that can last for centuries if maintained and cared for.
Important distinction: Timber framing is different from post-and-beam construction and log home building. Post-and-beam construction, while using heavy timber, relies entirely on (what I find to be) often unsightly metal brackets and plates for its structure integrity. Log home building uses round logs (or occasionally hewn timbers), joined together with notches at their ends, to create an enclosed structure.
If designed and built correctly, and cared for and maintained properly, timber frame structures have been known to last for quite literally hundreds, sometimes thousands, of years. I feel strongly that if something isn’t broken, don’t fix it - thus my process is very much influenced by the framers of yesteryear.
Timber framing lends itself well to using a variety of native wood species, grown in our region and milled at small, family-owned sawmills, many of which are within a couple hours drive from my shop in Lancaster, Ohio. The timbers we use are not commonly available at big-box stores or lumber yards, which is a good thing, in my opinion. Having a relationship with a local sawyer means we are not subject to what is available "on the shelf", resulting in more species to choose from, a variety of grades, and endless "custom" options for timber sizes.
Our industry loves to answer this question with an ambiguous, “How much does a car cost?" While it's true that design, use, zoning, etc. can largely affect the price, I will try to answer with a bit more clarity: not as much as you might think. While timber framing is more labor intensive than conventional stick-framing or post and beam, I am a one-person shop with low overhead costs, and I do honest work for a price I think is fair and not inflated. Because of this, I believe I can compete with both my timber framing and non-timber framing competitors price-wise, while providing a product that is superior is terms of aesthetics, longevity, and value added to your space compared to a conventionally framed structure.