The Timber Touch with its possible 6 bedrooms can hold a growing family and/or many guests who like to stay a while. The downstairs rooms are spacious enough to accommodate large crowds yet maintain a cozy scale for only a couple. The south-facing Timber Touch has three entries which work well with a variety of drive approaches. The side kitchen entry is practical for unloading groceries. The back entry at the split level is perfect for storing coats and boots as well as skis, riding gear, work clothes and pets. It could also become the main entry with a drive from the north. However, the main south entry, with its high mass surfaces of stone or brick around the masonry hearth, echoes the warm timber cottage style of the exterior. You might lose track of time in this house.

The Timber Touch with its possible 6 bedrooms can hold a growing family and/or many guests who like to stay a while. The downstairs rooms are spacious enough to accommodate large crowds yet maintain a cozy scale for only a couple. The south-facing Timber Touch has three entries which work well with a variety of drive approaches. The side kitchen entry is practical for unloading groceries. The back entry at the split level is perfect for storing coats and boots as well as skis, riding gear, work clothes and pets. It could also become the main entry with a drive from the north. However, the main south entry, with its high mass surfaces of stone or brick around the masonry hearth, echoes the warm timber cottage style of the exterior. You might lose track of time in this house.

First Floor

The sunny south side of each floor contrasts nicely with the cozy north rooms. The living area on the northwest and den on the northeast have less glare for television and computers while the dining and kitchen are very sunny and warm with the large hearth and south windows including a bay window and window box. The central bath makes the den an optional bedroom. The central stairs with the French doors at the landing take you out the back or on up to the second floor.

Second Floor

Another set of French doors greets at the entry to the second floor sewing or sitting room which can be a study room shared by all bedrooms. With two sunny bedrooms on the south and two cooler ones on the north, everyone's sleeping preferences can be accommodated. The clear span roof trusses free up the interior walls which allows redesigning for personal preferences.

Garage Option

The optional, detached two-vehicle garage is also designed with a timber touch. Suggested placement is to the northeast of the home. The roof is sloped to keep snow slides from blocking the garage doors.

Construction Info

The lower half of the north and west first floor walls are partially bermed ICF (insulated concrete forms) walls. They can be nestled into a south facing hill while the other exterior walls are 6" stud or SIP. The first floor ceilings are 9' while the upstairs are 8' high topped with economical roof trusses. The thermal mass is primarily in the first floor concrete slab that can be covered in stone, tile, or any of the numerous concrete stains and finishes. Additional thermal mass is found in the masonry wood stove that also receives direct sun. The metal roof, with a mix of cement board siding to create the half timber look, makes the exterior fire resistant.

Modification Ideas

Since these ideas may affect energy performance and structural integrity, they should only be undertaken with professional assistance.

- Combine any two of the upstairs bedrooms into a master suite with its own bath
- If guests will not use the family entry, move the laundry to this split level space easily accessible from both floors. Make the existing laundry a closet for the first floor bedroom
- Open up the center, second floor room overlooking the dining

Read more about the drawings available for various Sun Plans.