Lancaster County Timber Frames
Lancaster County Timber Frames is a privately held, founder-owned craft construction firm that designs, fabricates, and installs custom heavy-timber structures for residential, commercial, and historic preservation clients across the eastern and central United States.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1996
- HeadquartersYork, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Lancaster County Timber Frames does
Lancaster County Timber Frames, Inc. is a privately held, founder-owned specialty construction firm founded in 1996 by Joe McCarthy and Tony Zaya and headquartered in York, Pennsylvania. The company designs, manufactures, and installs custom timber frame structures using traditional mortise-and-tenon joinery combined with modern precision equipment and, where engineering requires, glue-laminated (glulam) timbers and bolted steel plate connections. All joinery is finished by hand with chisel and mallet, and the same craftsmen who cut a frame also raise it on site.
The firm operates three core service lines: residential timber frames for custom homes, additions, and timber-accented structures; commercial heavy-timber projects for restaurants, retail, hospitality, municipal, and corporate clients; and historic preservation, including more than 15 covered bridge rehabilitations. Its pre-quote process relies on free in-house 3D AutoCAD modeling that converts napkin-sketch concepts directly into engineering and shop drawings, and the shop pre-cuts, pre-fits, and labels each timber for sequenced on-site assembly. Notable clients include Kean University, King of Prussia Town Center (REI, Fogo de Chao), Toll Brothers, Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts, and PennDOT.
Lancaster County Timber Frames generates revenue on a project-by-project basis through custom one-time contracts, primarily as a subcontractor to general contractors (notably Kinsley Construction, with 13+ joint projects) and, for smaller residential work, directly with homeowners. Pricing is determined by timber species, grade, moisture content, milling, complexity, board footage, and joinery type; the firm does not publish standard pricing. Geographic reach spans the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, and Midwest, with shipped projects ranging from Nantucket to New Mexico. The company has produced over 750 timber frames across its history, currently employs a core team of approximately 15-20 craftspeople, designers, and office staff, and is independently capitalized with no external investors.
Lancaster County Timber Frames firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Lancaster County Timber Frames
- Legal name
- Lancaster County Timber Frames, Inc.
- Website
- https://lancotf.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1996
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Lancaster County Timber Frames is a privately held, founder-owned craft construction firm that designs, fabricates, and installs custom heavy-timber structures for residential, commercial, and historic preservation clients across the eastern and central United States.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Lancaster County Timber Frames industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Custom Timber Frame Construction
- NAICS
- Prefabricated Wood Building Manufacturing (321992), Engineered Wood Member Manufacturing (321215), Wood Product Manufacturing (321)
- SIC
- Prefabricated Wood Bldgs & Components (2452), Millwood, Veneer, Plywood, & Structural Wood Members (2430), Lumber & Wood Products (No Furniture) (2400)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Wood Trusses, I-Joists & Framing Components (IMADADAD)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Mass Timber Panels & Components (DLT, NLT, Hybrid Panels) (IMAMACAG)
Keywords
Where Lancaster County Timber Frames is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- York
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Lancaster County Timber Frames business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Custom Timber Frame Design, Manufacturing, and Installation: LCTF designs, manufactures, and installs custom timber frames for both residential and commercial projects. Each project is unique with pricing based on timber species, grade, size, complexity, and project scope. Revenue is project-based and one-time per build.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Custom project-based pricing - No standard tiers |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Lancaster County Timber Frames product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Lancaster County Timber Frames designs, engineers, manufactures, and installs custom timber frame structures for residential, commercial, and historic restoration projects. Each project is bespoke, using hand-cut traditional mortise-and-tenon joinery (with chisel and mallet hand-finishing) combined with modern precision tools and 3D AutoCAD modeling, then shipped as a pre-cut, pre-fit, labeled timber package for on-site raising by the same crew.
Product overview
Lancaster County Timber Frames is a custom timber frame design, manufacturing, and installation company offering three core service lines: Residential Timber Frame Services, Commercial Timber Frame Services, and Historic Restoration Services. The company operates as a full-service provider, taking projects from concept through 3D AutoCAD design visualization to shop-built manufacturing using traditional joinery techniques and on-site installation. Their portfolio spans over 750 timber frames including homes, commercial spaces, and historic restorations, with specialized expertise in covered bridge rehabilitation. They work with various timber species (primarily Douglas Fir) and offer different joinery methods including traditional mortise & tenon and bolted steel plate connections.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Residential Timber Frame Services End-to-end custom timber frame design, 3D AutoCAD modeling, shop-built manufacturing, and on-site installation for residential homes, additions, porches, barns, pool houses, great rooms, and timber-accented structures. Targets homeowners seeking a transparent, collaborative build process and an enduring family legacy.
- Commercial Timber Frame Services Heavy timber and architectural-grade glulam structures for commercial spaces including restaurants, retail, event venues, municipal buildings, clubhouses, and corporate facilities. Combines traditional craftsmanship with modern engineering and code compliance, including steel plate connections and engineered glulam for larger spans.
- Historic Restoration Services Restoration and rehabilitation of historic timber structures including covered bridges, gristmills, and historic barns using traditional mortise-and-tenon joinery, historically faithful materials, and modern structural engineering. Serves state DOTs, county governments, and parks commissions that need period-accurate craftsmanship combined with code compliance.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 750 timber frames cut and carved in their shop over 30 years
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Lancaster County Timber Frames
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Lancaster County Timber Frames technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Lancaster County Timber Frames partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, major, notable and minor.
- Kinsley Construction (York, PA)coreLong-standing relationship with Kinsley Construction of York, PA. LCTF has worked with the general contractor on thirteen previous projects including The Yards at Old State clubhouse. Kinsley handles general contracting while LCTF provides timber framing expertise.
- BKV Group (Washington, DC)coreArchitectural firm that has collaborated with LCTF on multiple projects including The Yards at Old State clubhouse and Aronimink Golf Club Addition. BKV Group provides architectural design while LCTF translates concepts into structurally sound timber frames.
- Toll BrothersmajorToll Brothers is the owner and developer of The Yards at Old State, a 268-unit high-end apartment community. LCTF provided timber framing for the clubhouse and outdoor spaces.
- Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing ArtsnotableLCTF is working on reclaimed timber structures for The Barns at Wolf Trap venue. Project involves new venue space using reclaimed timbers, partnered with L.F. Jennings as general contractor.
- REI (King of Prussia)majorREI store at King of Prussia Town Center features LCTF's glue-lam entry canopy with steel plate connections and three 32-foot tall heavy timber window assembly frames installed into existing masonry.
- Chester County (PA)coreChester County contracted LCTF for the Rudolph & Arthur Covered Bridge replacement project - an 80-foot Burr Arch Truss bridge destroyed by Hurricane Ida in 2021, reconstructed in 2024-2025.
- Greiner CranesminorCrane company that assisted LCTF with the Neff's Mill Covered Bridge repair project after a box truck damaged the bridge in May 2025. Greiner provided crane services for picking and replacing damaged bridge members.
- Iron Strong Metal FabminorLocal steel manufacturer that fabricated custom steel panels for LCTF's pagoda project. The steel panels representing sea, land, and sky were custom designed by LCTF's Josiah Zimmerman.
- Milwaukee ToolminorTool manufacturer whose products are used in LCTF's job trailers for organizing and powering cordless tools on job sites.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights3 records
Lancaster County Timber Frames competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Vermont Timber Works: Vermont Timber Works designs and fabricates custom timber frames, heavy timber trusses, and commercial/residential timber structures. It is highly comparable to LCTF because both specialize in custom engineered timber-frame packages for residential, commercial, institutional, and public projects.
- Bensonwood: Bensonwood is a timber-frame and offsite wood-building specialist offering design, fabrication, and construction services for high-performance homes and buildings. It is comparable because it combines timber craftsmanship, design engineering, prefabrication, and installation, though it operates at broader offsite-construction scale.
- New Energy Works: New Energy Works designs and builds timber frame homes and commercial timber structures with an emphasis on craftsmanship and sustainable wood construction. It overlaps with LCTF in custom residential/commercial timber framing and design-to-install delivery.
- Riverbend Timber Framing: Riverbend Timber Framing designs and manufactures custom timber frame homes and building components. It is comparable because both companies sell custom timber-frame packages for owners and builders, with emphasis on design visualization and prefabricated timber components.
- Woodhouse: The Timber Frame Company: Woodhouse provides custom timber frame home design, fabrication, and building packages. It is comparable to LCTF in custom residential timber framing and pre-cut timber packages, though Woodhouse is more home-package oriented.
- Timberpeg: Timberpeg designs and supplies custom timber frame homes through a package-based model. It is comparable to LCTF on residential timber-frame design and fabrication, but is less directly aligned with LCTF’s commercial and historic restoration focus.
- Timberbuilt: Timberbuilt designs and fabricates timber frame homes and hybrid timber structures. It is comparable to LCTF in custom residential timber design and prefabricated frame delivery, though its primary emphasis is residential homes.
Regional players
- Carolina Timberworks: Carolina Timberworks is a custom timber frame company serving residential and commercial projects with design, fabrication, and installation services. It is comparable to LCTF as a craft-led timber framing specialist, albeit with a different regional base.
- Hamill Creek Timber Homes: Hamill Creek Timber Homes is a Canadian timber frame design and manufacturing company serving custom homes and commercial structures. It is comparable in product and craft model, but is best viewed as a regional/geographic peer outside LCTF’s core U.S. Mid-Atlantic base.
- Canadian Timberframes: Canadian Timberframes designs, engineers, and manufactures prefabricated timber frame and heavy timber building systems. It is comparable because it competes in engineered timber-frame packages, although it has a broader manufacturing and resort/home package orientation.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Lancaster County Timber Frames social profiles
Digital presenceLancaster County Timber Frames compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Lancaster County Timber Frames financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Lancaster County Timber Frames leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
Lancaster County Timber Frames funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Lancaster County Timber Frames M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Lancaster County Timber Frames
What does Lancaster County Timber Frames do?
Lancaster County Timber Frames designs, engineers, manufactures, and installs custom timber frame structures for residential, commercial, and historic restoration projects. Each project is bespoke, using hand-cut traditional mortise-and-tenon joinery (with chisel and mallet hand-finishing) combined with modern precision tools and 3D AutoCAD modeling, then shipped as a pre-cut, pre-fit, labeled timber package for on-site raising by the same crew.
Is Lancaster County Timber Frames a public or private company?
Lancaster County Timber Frames is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Lancaster County Timber Frames founded?
Lancaster County Timber Frames was founded in 1996. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Lancaster County Timber Frames based?
Lancaster County Timber Frames is headquartered in York, United States, in the North America region.
How does Lancaster County Timber Frames make money?
One revenue line is on record: custom Timber Frame Design, Manufacturing, and Installation.
Who are Lancaster County Timber Frames's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Vermont Timber Works, Bensonwood, New Energy Works, Riverbend Timber Framing, Woodhouse: The Timber Frame Company, Timberpeg and Timberbuilt. Regional players are Carolina Timberworks, Hamill Creek Timber Homes and Canadian Timberframes.
Does Lancaster County Timber Frames have an API?
No public API is recorded for Lancaster County Timber Frames.
What industry is Lancaster County Timber Frames in?
Lancaster County Timber Frames's product category is Custom Timber Frame Construction. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMADADAD, Wood Trusses, I-Joists & Framing Components, with a secondary code of IMAMACAG, Mass Timber Panels & Components (DLT, NLT, Hybrid Panels). Its NAICS code is 321992 and its SIC code is 2452.