"Hand-Hewn" means turning a round tree into a square beam using only hand tools. While water-powered sawmills existed in New England as early as 1630 (in Berwick, Maine), hand-hewing large beams was a technique favored by many American craftsmen to frame out barns and buildings: structures that have stood the test of time and borne patiently the worst of summer's blistering heat and New England's unkind winters. Today, I use exactly the same tools and techniques as 17th- and 18th-century Maine craftsmen to create classic beams and mantels: timbers that will transform your family's favorite space into a showcase for generations to come.

See the slideshow below for samples of our hand-hewn mantels.

Pricing for hand-hewn mantels is between $10-$15 per board foot, depending on wood species, size, and finish options. A board foot is 12"x12"x1", or 144-cubic inches. To calculate board footage in a beam, multiple length x height x width in inches, and divide by 144. So a mantel that is 5-feet long and 6x6 inches would be (60"x6"x6"=2,160 cubic inches, divided by 144 = 15 board feet. Or $150-$225 depending on options. (Photo credit Brian Threlkeld)