English tying joints are a hallmark of historic British timber framing, serving as crucial connections that bind a building’s primary structural members. Found in medieval barns, churches, and manor houses, the joints use carefully fitted mortise-and-tenon (and occasionally dovetail) connections […]
Modified English Tying Joint Read More »
The King Post Truss to Plate Connection is a crucial structural element in timber framing. The bottom chord is joined to the rafter using a traditional mortise and tenon joint at the point where the rafter meets the plate. This
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It is said that the earliest known dragon brace assembly in Britain can be found in the roof of Inigo Jones’s Banqueting House, dating to the early 1600’s. The dragon brace was frequently used in Britain up to the middle
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The king post truss assembly is one of the most iconic forms used in timber framing, and is likely the earliest truss form. It is one of the strongest truss types, and was the one most commonly used during the 18th and 19th centuries in the eastern United States.
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We show some intricate work with this hipped pavilion joinery detail. Three roof planes coming together make for some complex cutting, and this type of roof shape is best for timber framers with some experience. You can see this detail utilized in our 16×24 Hipped Roof Pavilion.
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A hammer truss is an often-requested type of truss because of its mesmerizing beauty. However, hammer trusses can be problematic to engineers because they may be structurally awkward, and the members of a hammer truss assembly are often subject to significant shear.
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When two plates or beams come together into the same plane on a post, there is often not enough thickness in the post for each plate to connect to it with a tenon. If you put a tenon on
The truss system is the basic building block of a timber frame home. It’s one of the most memorable features and one of the first images that comes to mind when someone thinks of a timber frame structure.When you’re planning
The 5 Basic Timber Frame Trusses Read More »
A scissor truss is a good choice if you have a vaulted ceiling and want to draw the eye up to enhance the volume of space. A scissor truss accents the ceiling by the use of sloping bottom chords that cross at mid-span.
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A hammer beam truss creates a lot of drama in a timber frame, and also causes some complex joinery. In this hammer beam eave detail we will show you one solution to the issue of several frame elements coming together in close proximity to each other.
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Purlins help to form and strengthen the roof framing in a structure, and they support the roof decking or sheathing. They run horizontally, parallel with the ridge of the timber frame. There are three basic types of purlins: Purlin plate, principal purlin, and common purlin.
Cross lap joints are a great solution when you want to create clean, continuous lines in a timber frame. The edges of the joint are completely flush, making it almost appear that the timbers are magically connected. To create a cross lap joint, you cut halfway through the width of both timbers that you are connecting , and they slide together into an extremely solid joint.
