Posts Made by Whit Holder

Building Timber Frames Using Reclaimed Timbers

Posted on December 21, 2007 by Whit Holder

We are often asked if we work with reclaimed materials when building timber frames. Yes, we certainly do work with reclaimed materials. In fact, we feel that they are often a good choice for our client’s projects.

One good reason to build with reclaimed materials is that reclaimed timbers much more stable than fresh sawn timber, as the moisture content is generally quite low when wood has had many years to "season." Another benefit is that reclaimed timber is also generally of higher quality (with a few exceptions) than new, faster grown timber.

Building with reclaimed timbers is also environmentally friendly. By using reclaimed timbers, you get all the benefits of building with prime, old growth timber without cutting down a single tree. This is recycling at its best, if you ask me.

One of the biggest reasons people choose reclaimed timber is for the character and beauty of the wood itself. Reclaimed timber is often resawn and planed to expose wood grain that is unmatched for its beauty. Sometimes, the timbers are just thoroughly cleaned to reveal its antique patina. This patina is earned by being around for a long time, most often over 100 years. It is "the genuine article," and can be imitated, but not duplicated.

We were recently commissioned to design and build a roof system consisting of four timber frame trusses for a keeping room in a residence in Morgan County, Georgia using reclaimed wood. The four raised-tie timber frame trusses are built of antique heart pine timbers from a decommissioned textile mill. Along with stone walls and a fireplace, the heavy timber trusses are the focal point of the room. In order to preserve the 100-plus year old patina of the antique timbers, Holder Bros. scribed the timbers to one another. This method was chosen because it enables the carpenter to join the old weathered surfaces of two timbers to one another without the need to reveal sharply contrasting "fresh" wood at each connection. The end result is that the trusses themselves, not just the timbers, appear to be 150 years old.

If you are planning a timber framed project and are interested in using reclaimed timbers, we would love to speak with you about the possibilities. We have direct access to a very large inventory of reclaimed timbers, through an affiliated company, Alcovy Mountain Lumber Co. This affiliation allows us to easily choose the timbers that are best for your project and to have greater control over any re-milling that is required.

Tagged: heavy timber trusses, reclaimed timbers, antique heart pine timbers, timber frame, timber frame trusses, timber trusses, timber trusses georgia  |  0 comments

The Whetting Bush

Posted on July 30, 2007 by Whit Holder

People often ask me why we place an evergreen bough on the peak of each frame when we finish. The short answer--tradition. But I'll take a stab at the long answer, since there isn't much information out there about this tradition.

"Topping off" a new frame is a practice that has been around for hundreds of years. It's the act of placing a bough on the highest peak of a newly completed frame. The bough is always an evergreen. We mostly use pine, but we've also used cedar, magnolia, and even a discarded Christmas tree.

Ask ten timber framers about topping off the frame and you'll get ten slightly different answers. But the common thread is that the whetting bush is placed as a symbol of thanksgiving. Some say it gives thanks to the forest for providing timber for a new home. Some say it gives thanks for a safe raising. A few simply say it's "good luck."

Whatever their beliefs are, topping off the frame is a special time for each person. For the owners starting life in a new home, it can be almost like a dedication ceremony. For the carpenters who built the frame, it's a chance to stand back and see the fruit of their labor. For everyone present, it's a moment of celebration.

For me personally, placing a whetting bush is a chance to stop and smell the roses. Finishing a job well done is satisfying on a basic human level. Then there's the appreciation I feel for my trade and my fellow carpenters, and the thankfulness I feel for a safe raising and for our renewable resource of timber.
Topping off a new frame is an ancient tradition and timber framers continue it today. It highlights a special time during the construction of a building when everyone pauses to appreciate the accomplishment of a new frame. If you have a chance to be present when a frame is topped off, you'll probably care more about enjoying the moment than about the specific meaning of the tradition.

Tagged: timber frame raising, whetting bush, traditional timber framing, timber frame, barn raising, post and beam  |  0 comments

Nice Curves

Posted on July 22, 2007 by Whit Holder

One way to add beauty and visual interest to a timber frame is to use curves or arches in the design. Although frames have been built with curved members for hundreds of years, a well-proportioned pair of arched braces still communicates a sense of gracefulness and strength.

There are three types of curved timbers: sawn curves, bent stock, and laminated curves.

Sawn curves are curved stock sawn out of wide straight timber, such as an 8" wide arch sawn out of a 14" wide beam. This is the weakest type of curved member because the grain is not continuous and the pith of the tree is often severed by the saw, giving the piece a strong tendency to split apart. Free-of-heart timber is desirable for making these pieces.

Bent stock is stock that grew in a natural curve or bend in the forest. Bent stock is much stronger than sawn curves because the grain has grown in a curved form, and the carpenter only needs to saw the waste wood away to get a beam that possesses the same curve that it had as a log. Most of the grain remains intact and therefore most of its strength is retained. During conversion, the carpenter should make an effort to follow the log's inherent curve.

Laminated curves are made from individual boards that are glued together, bent to a specific desired shape, held under pressure until the glue sets, and then planed to a consistent thickness on the sides. Advantages to lamination include the wide range of radii that can be produced, the stability gained by using kiln-dried lumber, and a grading system that allows strength values to be assigned.

Sawn curves are commonly used decoratively, but rarely in structural applications, unless the curve is slight. Bent stock is commonly used in English or old-world European framing styles, which have a rich history of using natural curves. In fact, it is very difficult to build in these styles without using bent stock. Notice the natural curves the next time you see an old-world framed house.

When strength and stability are in question, laminated curves are the best choice. They provide consistent shapes, a clean, contemporary look, and can be grain-matched to hide the lamination lines, making the piece look more like one solid curved timber.

Whether it is a medieval cruck frame, a soaring gothic arch, or a book-matched pair of naturally curved braces, properly used curves and arches are visually appealing and enhance a timber frame's appearance with strength and beauty.

Tagged: timber frame, timber frame design, post and beam, arched braces, natural curves, laminated curves, curved timbers  |  0 comments