Business Details
Custom Timber Frame Homes in Franklin, NC
Jeff Johnson Timber Frames is a small, owner-operated timber frame company based in the southwestern mountains of North Carolina. Our team of skilled joiners and designers brings 63 combined years of experience to every project, combining traditional craftsmanship with modern precision. We specialize in creating timber frame homes, hybrid structures, and custom joinery using time-tested mortise and tenon techniques that ensure lasting strength and beauty. Our commitment to quality is evident in every detail, from hand-chiseled timbers to fully housed joints reinforced with knee braces. We offer a range of wood species and design options, including standard and custom timber frame plans tailored to diverse architectural needs.Each structure undergoes rigorous dry-fitting at our Franklin, NC facility to guarantee dimensional accuracy before delivery. As third-generation timber industry professionals, we maintain deep connections to forestry traditions while embracing innovative design solutions. Our hands-on approach ensures direct client collaboration throughout the building process, from initial concept to final raising. We prioritize sustainable material selection, working closely with suppliers to source premium timbers that meet exacting standards. Whether crafting full timber frame homes or hybrid structures integrating partial timber elements, we deliver enduring value through meticulous craftsmanship and personalized service.
Services
Timber Frame Homes
Hybrid Timber Homes
Custom Joinery
Timber Carports
Bridges
Trusses
Furniture
Design Services
On-Site Raising
Highlights and features
- We offer 63 combined years of timber framing expertise
- Our joints use traditional mortise and tenon construction methods
- We provide both standard and fully custom timber designs
- Our team handles every project phase directly
- We maintain strict quality control through dry-fitting processes
Services
Timber Frame Homes
We design and construct full timber frame homes using traditional mortise and tenon joinery. Our North Carolina-based team hand-chisels timbers with precision, ensuring structural integrity and timeless aesthetics. Each home undergoes dry-fitting at our facility before on-site assembly, guaranteeing dimensional accuracy and seamless installation for clients seeking durable, handcrafted living spaces.
Hybrid Timber Homes
Our hybrid timber homes combine select timber frame elements with conventional construction methods. This approach allows clients to incorporate signature timber features like great room trusses while maintaining cost-effective standard framing in other areas, creating architecturally distinctive homes with flexible budget options and customized structural aesthetics.
Custom Joinery
We specialize in traditional mortise and tenon joinery for timber structures, employing time-tested techniques that eliminate metal fasteners. Our craftsmen create fully housed joints reinforced with knee braces, ensuring exceptional strength and longevity. This meticulous approach preserves historical building methods while meeting modern structural requirements for enduring timber constructions.
Timber Carports
Our timber carports combine functional outdoor protection with classic craftsmanship. Built using the same rigorous joinery standards as residential frames, these structures provide durable vehicle storage while complementing property aesthetics. Available in multiple wood species, each carport receives the same quality control processes as our full-scale timber constructions.
On-Site Raising
We provide complete timber frame raising services for pre-assembled structures. Our experienced team handles final assembly at client locations, ensuring precise alignment and secure connections. This service includes transportation logistics and on-site coordination, delivering fully erected timber frames ready for subsequent construction phases while maintaining the integrity of handcrafted joinery techniques.
People
Jeff Johnson
Owner/Designer
Third-generation timber industry professional with decades of hands-on experience in traditional joinery techniques and timber frame design.
Susan Johnson
Owner
Co-owner with nursing expertise, managing administrative operations while maintaining forestry industry connections through family background.
Austen
Artisan
Graduate of American College of the Building Arts with internship experience at multiple timber framing firms across the southeastern United States.
John Brown
Shop Foreman
Third-generation housewright with timber frame construction experience since 2003, overseeing production quality and technical execution.
Maria Dills
Office Manager
Certified Quickbooks professional and notary with over 15 years of administrative and design support experience at Jeff Johnson Timber Frames.
Questions
What timber species do you offer?
We provide multiple wood species options for timber frames including white pine, oak, and cedar, with hand-hewn finishes available for white pine.
Can you build partial timber frame structures?
Yes, we specialize in hybrid timber frame homes where select areas feature timber construction while other sections use conventional framing methods.
Do you handle out-of-state projects?
We serve clients across North Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, and South Carolina, with delivery and on-site raising services available for completed timber frames.
What joinery techniques do you use?
Our traditional joinery methods include mortise and tenon joints with fully housed connections, reinforced by knee braces for enhanced structural stability.
How are timber frames constructed?
We hand-chisel all timbers in our Franklin, NC shop, dry-fit frames for accuracy, then deliver and raise completed structures at client locations.
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Reviews (4)
Julia Budreau
Jun 13, 2019
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When we decided to put timber frames in our new home in Kansas City, we decided to have Jeff Johnson build them for us. We had checked with someone local but the quality was no comparison to Jeff's. We had found out about Jeff because our daughter lives in Franklin, NC. We have never regretted our decision. It was worth the 1000 mile trip to bring them home to KC. Wonderful to work with! I can't tell you how many wow's and ah's that I have heard when people visit our home for the first time!
William Miller
Jan 17, 2019
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Bottom Line Up Front: Jeff Johnson Timber Frames is an amazingly talented and ethical company that receives my highest recommendation for anyone wishing to accomplish timber frame construction. We worked with another Timber Frame company for almost 2 years and had nothing to show for it other than some plans and repeated delivery delays. Jeff and his team stepped in and redesigned the structure, fabricated the timber frame and raised the timber frame in 8 weeks TOTAL.
The quality of the timber frame is top notch, Jeff kept us informed with weekly updates during the entire process. His team of Maria, John and Mason were the nicest, most polite and talented people I've encountered in the construction business. The only reason we gave them 5 stars is because 6 isn't possible.
The quality of the timber frame is top notch, Jeff kept us informed with weekly updates during the entire process. His team of Maria, John and Mason were the nicest, most polite and talented people I've encountered in the construction business. The only reason we gave them 5 stars is because 6 isn't possible.
Susan Gosche
Jun 22, 2018
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Everyone at Jeff Johnson Timber Frames is easy to work with and knowledgeable. He helped us build a 4000 foot square home and there were no problems at all. No matter what came up, Jeff had an answer. This is obviously "not his first rodeo". We wanted some things in our house that other companies wouldnt do, but Jeff had no problem with it. Choosing Jeff Johnson was the best decision we made in the whole process and we would recommend him highly
A. Jay AJay
May 04, 2018
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Just got our timber trusses set! Could not be more pleased! The very friendly owner and staff have been a joy to work with. The fact that it's a small family owned company is what my husband and i loved most. The work they do is beautiful!
