Timber framing (or post & beam framing), as we know it, originated in medieval England. Colonists brought the craft to America, where they built timber-framed homes, barns, and churches. Over the years, modern stick-framing techniques supplanted traditional timber-framing methods, but the 1970's saw the reappearance of timber framing in the United States, and green builders today praise the technique for its energy-efficient potential.

Timber framing differs from modern building construction in the size of the framing members used and the method of attaching those members. Timber frames use large framing members, from six to twelve inches in diameter.  Modern stick frames use nominal two inch wide stock, a 2" x 4" stud is actually 1.5" x 3.5" wide. Timber frames posts and beams are connected with complicated mortise and tenon, scarf, and lap joints which are held together with wooden pegs while stick frames are fastened with nails. Timber framing members are usually spaced 8 to 12 feet apart with the exterior frame carrying the roof load. Since interior walls are not needed to carry the roof load, we may utilize an open floor plan.

The frames for most post & beam homes come from locally-milled timber. Some frames come from trees harvested on site and milled with portable chainsaw mills. Most timber for stick-built homes comes from Canada and the northwestern United States. Using locally-milled timber reduces the energy used to transport supplies. Also, timber frames can be wrapped in an energy efficient shell or structural insulated paned (SIPS) to increase energy efficiency. SIPS panels are made with expanded polystyrene or urethane insulation in a plywood or oriented strand board (OSB). These panels can double the wall R-value of a stick-built wall and eliminate air infiltration.