Standing Dead Timber

Standing dead timber from bark beetle infestation.
Standing dead timber from bark beetle infestation.

Store-bought lumber is cost prohibitive for many people. One good alternative for natural builders is using standing dead trees – trees that have been killed by insects or fire and are still standing. For best results, select trees that have been dead for only a few years. With some practice you’ll learn to identify sound timber that has little or no rot. The dead trees can be used in the round as posts and beams or milled into lumber. One key advantage is the logs have already dried naturally and are ready for use.

Read more

Salvaged Timber Trusses

Custom kitchen with recycled wood timber trusses
Custom kitchen with recycled wood timber trusses

Salvaged wood timber is an excellent option for building roof trusses. If you buy salvaged timbers through an architect for a custom home like this they will be pricey of course. But timbers like these can also be obtained cheaply or even for free if you do the work yourself.

Read more