DIY Network

Post & Beam: The Deflavio Family From "Assembly Required" episode DASR-107

The Deflavio family, who consider themselves "winter people," has yet to decide whether they should buy an existing home or build a new one. They're drawn to the New England barn look, but the idea of a factory-built house is completely new to Paul and Sheri. They decide to tour the Yankee Barn factory to see what it has to offer.

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	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C

The Deflavio Family

Production manager Roger Fletcher leads them through the tour. They start with the beams from old mills and factories that are dismantled for raw material (figure A). Then, the timbers go to the saw mill where the original faces are cut off (figure B) and the timbers are cut to size. The antique beams then arrive in the frame shop (figure C). Craftsmen decide which beams will work for a house design and use brand new Douglas fir beams to complete the rest of the frame. A frame of 100% new kiln-dried Douglas fir can save the homeowner on average $7000-$8000 over using a blended frame. At the wall department, Sheri and Paul scope out how the panels enclose the house around the post and beam frame (figure D).

It’s the extended time line that worries the Deflavio family. The factory tour convinced Paul and Sheri that a factory built post and beam home is right for them, but their design ideas may push Yankee Barn beyond their standard plan book. When Sheri meets with Bob Mahoney to discuss her plans, the pre-ski season deadline weighs heavily on her mind.

To accommodate the customizations and add-ons Sheri would like, Bob suggests adding an all-panelized granary to the house (figure E). This addition costs less than a structure with full posts and beams because it’s easier to construct on site – saving labor and time.

Although the Deflavio’s plans are a challenge, Yankee Barn guarantees their home can be built in five to six months if the family moves quickly.

Figure D

Figure E

RESOURCES :

Yankee Barn Homes
Website: www.yankeebarnhomes.com

Millstream Structures
E-mail: mss.inc@adelphia.net

The Studio
Website: www.thestudioatmadriver.com