Front Royal Craftsmen Revive Centuries-Old Timber Framing Tradition

Inside a workshop in Front Royal, large white oak beams rest on sawhorses as craftsmen carefully shape and fit them together using techniques that builders have relied on for centuries.

The work is being done by Arbor Ridge Builders, a timber framing company led by owner Stephen Kuplack, whose team creates handcrafted frames for homes, barns, pavilions, and other structures across the Shenandoah Valley and beyond.

Rather than relying on modern metal fasteners, the company uses traditional mortise-and-tenon joinery, where a shaped wooden tenon fits into a carved mortise and is secured with a wooden peg.

“It’s something that’s been done for thousands of years,” Kuplack said. “We’re not reinventing the wheel. We’re continuing a tradition that has proven it can last.”

Kuplack’s approach focuses on what he calls “generational building”— designing and constructing structures meant to stand for centuries and be passed down through families and communities.

“To build something that will last for generations, you need three things,” Kuplack explains. “Durability, beauty, and sustainability.”

Stephen Kuplack, owner of Arbor Ridge Builders in Front Royal, explains the traditional post-and-beam timber framing process used to construct handcrafted homes, barns, and pavilions designed to last for generations.

Durability starts with quality materials and careful craftsmanship. Timber frame buildings around the world have survived hundreds of years, a testament to the strength of traditional joinery and solid wood construction.

Beauty is another key principle. Kuplack believes well-designed buildings improve the lives of the people who use them and often become landmarks in their communities.

“When something is truly beautiful and well built, people don’t tear it down when it needs repairs,” he said. “They restore it so future generations can enjoy it.”

Sustainability also plays a major role. Arbor Ridge Builders sources wood from regional sawmills whenever possible and focuses on using mature trees harvested responsibly from healthy forests.

“That allows us to use higher quality timber and helps keep forests and local economies strong,” Kuplack said.

Most of the company’s work begins in its shop, where large timbers are measured, cut, and shaped. Each piece is carefully labeled and pre-assembled to make sure everything fits perfectly before being transported to the job site.

Fabrication for a project can take anywhere from two to five months, depending on its size and complexity. Once complete, the labeled pieces are delivered and assembled on site, often in just a few days.

“By the time we get to the site, all the guesswork is gone,” Kuplack said. “Everything has already been fitted together.”

The company often collaborates with architects, engineers, and custom home builders, providing the timber frame structure while the general contractor manages the broader construction project.

For building enclosures, Arbor Ridge Builders frequently uses Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs). These panels create an energy-efficient thermal envelope that reduces heat loss and speeds construction.

Beyond new construction, the company also restores historic timber-frame buildings, helping preserve architectural heritage throughout the region.

Kuplack’s journey into timber framing began in his hometown of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, where he first worked for a custom home builder to learn the fundamentals of construction.

After gaining experience, he traveled across the country, working with several timber framers and contractors and learning different techniques and building styles along the way. Eventually, his path led him to Virginia, where he met his wife and later launched Arbor Ridge Builders.

Today, Kuplack is also a member of the Timber Framers Guild, where he volunteers and teaches workshops to share traditional building skills with other craftsmen.

“I firmly believe we’re all students, never masters,” he said. “There’s always more to learn in this craft.”

Based in Front Royal, Arbor Ridge Builders serves clients throughout the Shenandoah Valley, Northern Virginia, and beyond. Because timber frames are built in sections, they can be transported and assembled almost anywhere.

For Kuplack and his crew, the goal is simple: build structures strong enough and beautiful enough to stand for generations.

“We want to create buildings that families can pass down,” he said. “Something people can look at a hundred years from now and know it was built with care.”

More information about the company is available at arborridgebuilders.com or by contacting arborridgebuilders@gmail.com

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