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Timber Framing Questions & Answers

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The timber framing process is beautiful but new to many owners, architects and builders. We know that people have all kinds of questions about how timber frames and post and beam buildings work, so we created this page specifically to help people learn and find the answers that they are looking for. Please feel free to ask – we will be happy to answer. Ask your question!

 

Can a Mortise & Tenon Brace Be Installed After the Post & Beam Have Been Assembled?

Can a Mortise & Tenon Brace Be Installed After the Post & Beam Have Been Assembled?

Answered by Caitlin on July 20, 2021

Can a mortise/tenon brace be installed into a set post and beam frame after the beam and post have been […]

Scarf Joint

What is a Scarf Joint?

Answered by Caitlin on August 21, 2019

I think that the joint that I am looking for is called a scarf joint that joins two beams together […]

Assembled Girder Trusses

What is the use of Plate Girder in the Roof Trusses?

Answered by Caitlin on April 16, 2019

What is the use of plate girder in the roof trusses?

3D Rendering of a Hammer Beam style Timber Frame

What is the longest distance allowable between two hammer beams?

Answered by Caitlin on February 04, 2019

What is the longest distance allowable between two hammer beams to hold up a roof?

Hand Hewn Pine Posts and Beams in the Southern Vermont Welcome Center

How Do I Account for the Capital in Calculating the Capacity of the Main Beam?

Answered by Caitlin on January 11, 2019

I have an existing warehouse building with 2×10 floor joists @ 20″ oc spanning 16′ supported on 12×12 timbers spanning […]

Hemlock Timbers with 3 Different Types of Stain

What Product Do You Suggest to Preserve/Treat Wood?

Answered by Caitlin on December 13, 2018

I want to use hemlock on my property (it’s already been logged) to build exterior deck. 6×6 for supports, 2×10 […]

3D model of Timber Frame Porch Connection

What Are Good Connections For A Skillion Roof Patio?

Answered by Caitlin on November 15, 2018

Hi, I love your timber work, but living in Western Australia, I’ll have to book a holiday some time to […]

Rotten Timber Column

How Do you Protect Timber and Joints Exposed to Weather?

Answered by Caitlin on October 15, 2018

How do you protect the timbers and joints where they are exposed to the weather? I noticed that exposed beams […]

Post Base with Steel Rod and Washer

What is the Minimum Size Post for a Post Base with a Steel Rod?

Answered by Caitlin on September 10, 2018

I really like the detailing of the “post base with steel rod and washer” and was wondering what the minimum […]

Timber post set directly onto concrete.

How Big a Concrete Pad Do I Need for Oak Posts?

Answered by Caitlin on September 06, 2018

Hi i will have two 250mm X 250mm oak posts suporting my house roof there will be a load of […]

Can you Pour Concrete Around a Timber Post?

Can you Pour Concrete Around a Timber Post?

Answered by Caitlin on August 21, 2018

I’m trying to use a 6×6 Timber post instead of a lally column. Problem is I want to put it […]

Properly Supported Roof Trusses

Properly Supported Roof Trusses

Answered by Caitlin on August 10, 2018

I am having a new home built and feel as the roof trusses are not properly supported I do have […]

Modified Hammer Beam Bent

Stresses in the Hammer Beam Truss

Answered by Caitlin on July 31, 2018

Hi there I am soon to be taking a course in hammer beam frames, and I am trying to get […]

Do You Sell Plans?

Do You Sell Plans?

Answered by Caitlin on May 21, 2018

I was wondering if you sell plans with cut sheets?

Interior of Octagon Shaped Living Room with Red Pine Ceiling Beams

What Stain Was Used in the Breed Estate?

Answered by Caitlin on May 09, 2018

Regarding the finish on the interior wood beams, and comparing that to the window/floor colors. You have beautiful octagonal room […]

3D Preliminary Design

What Software Do You Use To Design Timber Frames?

Answered by Caitlin on May 04, 2018

Hello Experts, May i know what kind of software do you use for designing Timber Frame ? I am a […]

Ceiling Beams and Stone work in Award-winning Night Pasture Farm

How Can You Correct Truss Uplift in a Vaulted Ceiling?

Answered by Caitlin on April 24, 2018

How can you correct Truss Uplift in a vaulted ceiling in a ranch style home? V/r Stewart M. Tyson

Steel Plate an Timber Joinery Details

Where Can I Get a 3 Way Metal Bracket?

Answered by Caitlin on April 19, 2018

Do you know where I can get a 3 way metal bracket to connect wood to wood with out a […]

Fabricated Scissor Trusses with steel plates in the Workshop for Grace Episcopal Church

Can I Replace a 2×4 Common Truss with a Scissor Truss?

Answered by Caitlin on April 17, 2018

Can I replace a 2×4 common truss, with a 25 ft long bottom cord and 60 in from bottom of […]

Barn Roof Rafters

How Many Rows of Spacers are Needed?

Answered by Caitlin on April 13, 2018

12′ rafters 24″ apart lean to roof. How many rows of spacers needed?

Modified Hammer Beam Trusses in the Trapp Family Lodge in Vermont

What Are the Tension Requirements for a 40 foot Hammer Truss?

Answered by Caitlin on April 13, 2018

I have a 40 foot open span hammer truss using a collar beam and queen posts design. wood will be […]

King Post Truss in the Westbrook Middle School in ME.

How Do You Calculate the Height of the King Post?

Answered by Caitlin on April 13, 2018

how do you calculate the height of king post of the roof structure?

Timber Frame Carolina Horse Barn

Is it Possible to Construct a Barge Board Without the Use of Metal Plates?

Answered by Caitlin on April 04, 2018

Hi. I am reproducing a gable end barge board with bottom chord, king post/finial and bracing ,from a photograph. Is […]

Will a Hammer Beam Support a Span of 40 Feet ?

Will a Hammer Beam Support a Span of 40 Feet ?

Answered by Caitlin on January 25, 2018

Will a hammer beam support a span of 40 feet ?

Can a Hammer Beam Design Support a Hipped Roof?

Can a Hammer Beam Design Support a Hipped Roof?

Answered by Caitlin on January 24, 2018

Hi, we have a hipped roof but we need to open out and strengthen the roof space removing internal trusses. […]

Reclaimed Oak in the workshop

Will Stainless Steel Bolts Rot Green Oak?

Answered by Caitlin on January 02, 2018

Will using 316 stainless steel lag bolts in green oak cause a problem with the wood rotting, or with the […]

Ceiling Header

Can I Remove a Post From a 17′ Beam?

Answered by Caitlin on December 20, 2017

I have a header roof beam in my living room that measures 5″ by 12″ (Doug Fir as far as […]

Ask the Experts Question from India

How Do I Support a Timber Truss with a 20ft Span?

Answered by Caitlin on December 04, 2017

Hi, I’m an architect working in India. The timber truss made is of 20ft span. The tie member is in […]

Can a Parallam Beam Span a Distance of 16'?

Can a Parallam Beam Span a Distance of 16′?

Answered by Caitlin on November 27, 2017

We’re planning to open a Kitchen/Dining demising wall and wanted to use exposed timber for detailing.  Contractor’s have suggested spanning […]

Interior of the 57 State Street Restaurant with Steel Gusset plates and Glulam Beams

What is the Timber Portal Frame Span Limitation?

Answered by Caitlin on November 27, 2017

timber portal frame span limitation?

Timber Frame Garage Plans

Where Does The Insulation Go in a Timber Frame Garage?

Answered by Caitlin on November 17, 2017

My name is Shannon and I am just a house designer/draftsperson in Stony Plain, Alberta, Canada. I found your blog […]

3D Model of a Timber Frame Deck

Can I build a Timber Frame Porch With King Posts?

Answered by Caitlin on November 09, 2017

I’m building a timber frame porch. The width expands 20′ and I have two 4x8x10 oak timbers to be jointed. […]

What Are Dovetail Joint Sizes in Design Standards?

What Are Dovetail Joint Sizes in Design Standards?

Answered by Caitlin on November 01, 2017

What are the rules for dovetails, depth,width and such, for large timber floor joist and beams

Foard Panel Insulated Header

How Do You Insulate A Timber Frame Home?

Answered by Caitlin on October 26, 2017

With these open truss roof systems.  Where would the insulation windup?  What range of R-values are attainable?

Timber Frame Joinery Details

What’s The Difference Between A Traditional Joint & A Modern One?

Answered by Doug Friant on August 10, 2017

What’s the difference between a traditional woodworking joint and a modern one? Thanks a lot!

Douglas fir Stain finish options

Do You Construct Decorative Timber Members For Rafters Made Out Of Southern Pine Or Doug Fir ?

Answered by Doug Friant on May 03, 2017

I am estimating a project to repair an 1800 train station. Do you construct decorative timber members for rafters and […]

production numbers on beam ends while children visit from St. Michael's

What’s Your Opinion On Building With Green Timber?

Answered by Derek Folsom on March 09, 2017

What’s Your Opinion On Building With Green Timber?

Arched Timber Trusses in the Interior of the Daignault residence in Adams, MA

How Will Timber Work If I do Insulated Concrete Forms For The Walls?

Answered by Doug Friant on February 22, 2017

We are currently trying to design a home and I really like the exposed timber look on the inside.  How […]

Example of a Check or long crack in a beam

What Should I Do About The ‘Crack’ In My Beam?

Answered by Doug Friant on January 24, 2017

Shakes in an oak beam?  I an 100% sure that my beam is fine.  My wife is scared of the […]

The First Bent with a steel tie rod installed at the Hamanasi Resort in Belize

How Should I Join The Timber For My Trusses?

Answered by Margaux Friant on January 15, 2017

I am an expat living in Brazil. I am almost ready to start construction and will be using ipe for […]

timber frame attic space

Have You Ever Hidden A Tension Tie In The Floor Space Beneath An A-Frame Attic?

Answered by Margaux Friant on September 01, 2016

Have you ever hidden a tension tie in the floor space beneath a finished A-frame attic?

Do You Have Post Bases For These Specifications?

Do You Have Post Bases For These Specifications?

Answered by Doug Friant on April 18, 2016

We are specifying a 5″x5_1/2″ glu-lam column base for a pavilion (no sidewalls). We have a maximum moment of 31,000 […]

Do You Have Any Stain Suggestions?

Do You Have Any Stain Suggestions?

Answered by Doug Friant on February 16, 2016

I have a number of interior glulam beams in new construction and wish to stain them a medium brown color.  […]

Do you sell full barn plans?

Do you sell full barn plans?

Answered by Doug Friant on February 11, 2016

Do you sell full barn plans? I am interested in full plans with materials list for a 36 x 48 […]

How Wide Can The Texas Barn Go?

How Wide Can The Texas Barn Go?

Answered by Doug Friant on February 08, 2016

What is the widest span you can build with timber frame for the Texas barn in the center part of […]

Is 2x4 Construction or Post & Beam Construction Better For My Project?

Is 2×4 Construction or Post & Beam Construction Better For My Project?

Answered by Doug Friant on January 14, 2016

We are looking to build an 700-800sq ft. octagon home with a wraparound porch. Because we will use straw bale […]

Have You Ever Built A "Round" Timber Frame Structure?

Have You Ever Built A “Round” Timber Frame Structure?

Answered by Doug Friant on December 16, 2015

I have a silo foundation that has approximately a 22′ inside diameter and approximately a 26′ outside diameter which results […]

Can You Design/Fabricate A Frame Like The Texas Barn To Be 40'X120'?

Can You Design/Fabricate A Frame Like The Texas Barn To Be 40’X120′?

Answered by Doug Friant on November 18, 2015

Can you design/fabricate a frame design like the Hermes project in Texas, with the main “bay” being 40′ wide and […]

Are There Very Large Dimensions For Lumber?

Are There Very Large Dimensions For Lumber?

Answered by Doug Friant on November 18, 2015

Hi, I was wondering about the dimension of extremely large timber members. Are there very large dimensions for lumber (like […]

Can You Provide Plans For A 26x52 Barn?

Can You Provide Plans For A 26×52 Barn?

Answered by Doug Friant on November 05, 2015

need plans drawn up for a barn 26 x 52 much like one of the examples you show on your […]

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