ᐅ Timber frame construction using home-grown wood

Hello,

I am new here and have a few questions, but unfortunately I couldn’t find anything using the search function.

I would like to build a house using timber frame construction. Since we own a forest, I would like to harvest the wood myself (there is a bark beetle infestation) and then take it to the sawmill.

Does anyone here have experience with building using self-harvested wood?

Is it necessary to plane the studs (I was thinking of 6cm x 18cm (2.4 inches x 7 inches))?

I have read from some prefab house suppliers that the studs are treated. Is this absolutely necessary? If so, why?

Is there any reason not to use wood affected by bark beetle?

The house will of course be assembled by a professional carpenter.

How do the costs compare to a brick house?

Thank you very much in advance for your feedback.
Max

If I have understood timber frame construction correctly, the key factor is the correct residual moisture content. This means that simply felling the wood and taking it to the sawmill is too simplistic. Whether this will actually be cheaper, I cannot judge, but in my opinion, a wooden house is about as expensive as a solid (masonry) house. Of course, both can vary in price depending on the method and quality of construction. At the moment, I cannot imagine that you would save that much money by building the shell using your own timber.

I’m not very knowledgeable about wood, but doesn’t it need to rest for a while first, like a good steak?

Thank you for your response. That definitely doesn’t cover everything, you’re right. The wall studs and roof structure, etc., should of course also go into the drying chamber to achieve the correct residual moisture (I had forgotten to mention this earlier).

However, this will eliminate the cost advantage.
A company that dries large quantities technically will certainly have different terms.

You can simply sign up for a factory tour at a prefabricated house manufacturer or timber house builder. They usually explain in detail to potential customers how the wood is prepared to ensure it does not shrink or warp after installation. As far as I know, the drying process also removes all nutrients from the wood that could attract pests. In my opinion, the impregnation treatment varies between providers, especially those who focus on "healthy living" construction. You can probably also download some building specifications online, where this information is sometimes included.