Timber frame homes have been around for a long, long time. And there’s good reason for that. Timber frame houses make efficient use of resources, optimize the use of locally-available materials, can be built using relatively simple tools, and especially nowadays, they are easily outfitted with a number of highly insulative materials such as straw bales.
Timber frame houses are ultimately very efficient, much moreso than the typical stick frame house prevalent in conventional construction.
Check out my article here for more about why — Timber Frame Homes are Energy Efficient Homes.
p.s. Did I mention they are just way cooler and more beautiful than stick frames, too?