Timber frame and post-and-beam construction are both traditional building methods that use heavy timber for structural support, but they differ in their techniques and design aesthetics:
This method involves joining large wooden beams using intricate, interlocking joints, often without the need for nails or metal fasteners. The joints are typically reinforced with wooden pegs. Timber frame buildings have exposed beams and often feature a more refined, detailed craftsmanship.
In post-and-beam construction, vertical posts and horizontal beams are used to form the basic structural framework. The beams are usually connected by metal fasteners, such as bolts or steel plates. This style tends to be simpler and more utilitarian, with less emphasis on detailed joinery compared to timber framing.
Blue Ridge Post and Beam is a family run business in Waynesville, North Carolina, owned and operated by Ron and Ann Cramm and their son Tim.
Ron’s passion is architectural design using heavy timber elements. His designs can be described as open and craftsman, with a classy rustic style. With a degree in Architectural Science, Ron truly offers a design-build service to our clients. His knowledge of structures using timber frame design, along with the ability to cut everything in our own shop, definitely makes the building process and structure more affordable.
Tim graduated from Western Carolina University in 2010 with a degree in Construction Management, and has worked in the business for several years cutting timber frames.
It has been more than 15 years now that you built our timber frame getaway. We still find that it takes our breath away when we enter our lovely home. It’s certainly not the biggest home you’ve built but it has timeless beauty and charm! We adore it! Thanks for doing such a wonderful job on our vacation home.
Happy Client
While we wanted classic style, we did not want the “mountain lodge” look for our primary home. Ron worked with us to create the perfect open spaces with post and beam, but with a clean architectural look. His signature gazebo is one of our favorite places to kick back and enjoy the cool in the summer and fireplace in the fall.
Happy Client
Reflecting, it has been 13 years since you built our home and 5 years since you added a deck and roof extension. We love them both as much now as we did when they were completed. Your architectural vision and execution truly set you apart. You always seem to match your clients wishes with the final product.
Happy Customer
Ron, It is with great enthusiasm that we write this letter of recommendation in strong support of BRP&B (Ron Cramm – Blue Ridge Post & Beam).
We met with numerous builders before deciding on BRP&B. I’m so glad we decided on Ron’s BRP&B team. I can honestly say that from our first meeting with BRP&B we were thoroughly impressed with the quality of his team’s workmanship, professionalism and integrity. Integrity in a long distance build relationship is extremely important (if not the most important!) and we are so grateful we found a builder with not only professional integrity, but personal integrity too. It made our long distance build process near stress free.
As an ex-carpenter with high construction standards and very tough to please, I looked over their shoulders a great deal during the build process of our retirement home and was never disappointed. We had a lengthy list of specific post & beam build wants and desires, and without any real knowledge of how to make our dream come to life. The entire Ron Cramm and BRP&B Team (including his wife and kids too) helped us to realize our retirement home dream through expert design, planning and exceptional build craftsmanship. No request fell on deaf ears or considered trivial – they respected us and our vision always. They even opened their home (attached vrbo apartment) to us to stay a few times on visits. They were always pleasant and courteous, as well as the subcontractors they brought with them. Ron Cramm was knowledgeable, flexible and listened to our needs.
The end result is that our home is more spectacular and stunning than we had ever dreamed of exceeding all our original expectations. As we progressed through each stage of the build, it became crystal clear to us that we had selected the best, most qualified builder for the job!
On a personal and extremely important note for folks building remotely — BRP&B made our home building experience a pleasurable one especially since we lived in Michigan at the build time. Building remotely can be a terrifying and even a disastrous experience, so finding a builder with Ron’s integrity and honestly created a stress-free build experience. On a related side note, our minds were put at ease since Ron Cramm was reachable 7x24x365. If we were worried about something, we called him and he answered his cell (not a company machine)… at home, on the road and even on vacation.
As you can surmise, we have deep admiration and respect for BRP&B build integrity and their high end build craftsmanship. We would encourage you to share our contact information plus we would gladly open our home to your prospective clients to “showcase” your work (we’ll have a front door key made for you to have).
It has been an absolute pleasure partnering with you to kick-off our retirement dreams!!!
They are certainly outstanding professionals whose excellent work merits recognition.
Thanks so much Ron, Anne and the BRP&B Team!!!!!!!!!!!
