Learn About Timber Framing

Timber Framing Details

Learn About Timber Frames

Billings Farm Theater

Timber framing is an art that has existed for thousands of years. It is also a science that relies on current engineering standards to span large areas with beautiful beams. Vermont Timber Works' new web page has details on post and beam framing styles, the timber framing process, timber joinery and wood connections, wood species and finishes, information about timber framing for architects, wood textures and engineering timber structures. I believe that the more our potential clients learn about timber framing, the more they will want to work with a company that has the depth of knowledge Vermont Timber Works has. I also believe that timber framing is fun and that learning the way natural, renewable trees become beautiful buildings is fascinating.

Post and Beam Framing Styles

Fancy Barn Timber Frame

All timber frames start with a principal frame called a bent. From that basic building block many different shape and designs can be added. Some types of post and beam designs are the classic farm house, the gambrel barn, the raised cape, New England saltbox, fancy barn and the classic hammer beam truss.

Timber Joinery

Traditional Timber Joinery

Timber framing is the art joining beams in a way that is elegant and strong. Joints can be made of mortice and tenons and hardwood pegs - traditional timber joinery, steel gusset plates can be used, or both wood and steel joinery can be incorporated in a design to meet the structural and aesthetic needs of a construction project. Dovetails are often used to connect joists and purlins to girts and principal rafters. What is a dovetail, girt purlin or joist? Visit VTW's Timber Framing Terms blog to find out.

Wood Species and Finishes 

Wood for timber frames comes in a variety of types and textures. Typically, douglas fir, eastern white pine, hemlock and oak are the species of choice. The beams can many types of stains on them to give the timber richness and enhance their texture.

 

Wood Textures

Hand Hewn White Pine Beams

Along with different wood species and stain colors, the texture of the wood can be varied. It can be planed smooth, rough sawn, semi-sanded or hand hewn. The texture depends on the owners taste. For a traditional barn, rough sawn wood may be used. For a modern house, the owner may want to have the wood planed smooth (sans burrs and splinters). For an antique look semi sanded timber or weathered wood beams may be used.