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.
When you create a hip roof in a timber frame, there are different types of rafters used. The hip rafters (in purple) form the roofline and extend from the plate to the ridge. The jack rafters (in turquoise) connect
The joinery takes a bit of thinking when you have two beams meeting at a single post. The goal is to create a strong connection and avoid removing too much wood from the lumber. One solution is this corner joint with barrel bolts.
Everyone loves a gazebo! But anyone who has built a timber frame gazebo can tell you that the octagonal shape will cause you to create some complex joinery. Take a look at this eight sided corner plate detail sent to us by the team…
The rafters are housed into the king post. In this example, there is a 1″ housing cut into the post, and the roof load is supported by the bearing surface of the housing. Housings for the all thread rod are notched into the upper part of the rafter and secure into the post
Ok, so you’re ready to get started on your project, with a plan, materials list, and tools. However, the most powerful tool you’ll bring to your DIY project is your brain, with its enthusiasm, curiosity, and desire to expand your …
This dramatic joinery combination hails from temples and structures throughout Asia. If you have a four sided structure and need a clear span without the traditional tie beams over head or just want to add a cool feature to a …
The hammer beam truss is more complex than other truss types. It is a beautiful truss, however, and also has the advantage of using shorter pieces of wood. The truss is composed of the hammer beams (red), hammer posts (blue) …
