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

Framespotting on my English Holiday

Posted on August 22, 2007 by Ansley Holder

Whit and I took a trip to the United Kingdom this summer. Although it was primarily for vacation, we visited a few English timber frame buildings, of course. Okay, we visited a TON of timber frames while we were there. Since our family and friends are probably sick and tired of seeing our photos and hearing our tales about these fabulous timber frames in England, I think it is time I share my experiences with the general public.

Being mostly familiar with the timber frame and post and beam structures in the Southeast United States, I was exited to be able to see the timber frame structures that inspired and influenced the first timber frames built in America over three hundred years ago and many of the historic reproduction timber frames currently being built in the States.

These are my top three favorite timber frames in random order:

-Heavy timber roof at Westminster Hall in London. Connected to the Houses of Parliament and right next to Big Ben, this historic timber structure has seen many notable events through the centuries. It was once the castle of the King of England, and William Wallace's trial took place here. The timber framed trusses have elaborate carvings of angels on the ends of the hammer beams. It was quite hard to photograph since it was so large, the trusses span sixty-seven feet! We were fortunate to be able to enter the building that day because it is often closed to the public since the Queen frequently entertains in Westminster Hall.

-Barley Hall, the restoration of a medieval period timber frame structure in Old York. The timber frame is a townhouse-like residence in the city. The York Archaeological Trust oversaw the restoration and preservation of this timber frame and for a small fee a visitor can see how people ate, slept, entertained guests and lived in medieval times. The house was built around 1360 and restored in 1992. It is great that the town realizes the importance of maintaining and restoring timber frame structures like Barley Hall.

-Hall of the Merchant Adventurers: Now doesn't this sound very "swashbuckling" and pirate-esque? This old timber framed building is on the outskirts of the old town of York and was built by the Merchant Adventurers of York between 1357-1361. It is the oldest surviving medieval guild hall in northern Europe. The merchant guild of York hired a carpenter to build this building as their headquarters. The group was made up of business men and women who made their living importing and exporting items, thus the name merchant adventurers. We were able to tour the building, even though the members of the Company of Merchant Adventurers were meeting that afternoon in the building. It also houses a gorgeous chapel in the basement.

In addition to spending time in timber framed museums, we also slept and ate in heavy timber buildings. We had to stay with our theme, right? My favorite meal was in a 15th century timber frame that houses St. William's College and a fairly formal restaurant directly behind the York Minster. This was by far the best food I ate while there. We spent one night in a converted post and beam barn off the beaten path of the average tourist.


I find it absolutely amazing to hear the stories of how these structures were built--to learn about where the timber came from, the carpenter's names, and the reason a building was built. To stand in a timber framed chapel in York and think of all of the prayers that have been said over the years in that very spot where I stand is both humbling and inspiring. I took this trip as a reminder of the fact that in 500 years people will be looking at our structures and the materials and methods we use to create buildings. I am proud to be able to have a hand in building timber frame churches, houses, and commercial buildings that will be considered historic in a few hundred years.

Tagged: timber frame preservation, historic timber frame, post and beam, timber frame, heavy timber, timber frame restoration, heavy timber roof, timber frame construction  |  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

The real meaning of "hand hewn"

Posted on July 17, 2007 by Gabel Holder

Hand hewn is a term that is widely misused today to refer to almost anything with a rustic appearance. The real meaning is actually quite limited in application. Hand hewn refers to a timber that has been converted from a log using only axes -- most commonly a felling axe and a broad axe.

A common misconception is that timbers were shaped with an adze. While adzes are wonderfully useful tools, they are pitiful at converting logs to timbers, and were not historically used for that purpose. This misconception may stem from the fact that hand hewn timbers have an interesting texture of undulating tool marks -- almost as if the wood were scooped out a little. This is the result of the shape of a broad axe. First off, the broad axe is sharpened on one side only (single beveled), unlike a felling axe which is sharpened on both sides (double-beveled). Also, the cutting edge of a properly adjusted and sharpened broad axe is curved in a couple of different ways. If you set this properly sharpened broad axe down on a table on its "flat" side, you will quickly see that the axe actually isn't flat on it's back --the axe should rock back and forth along its edge, with the mid-section acting as the fulcrum. You want the corners of the edge to be about 1/16" to 1/8" off the table -- that keeps the corners from digging in, which is very important. You also want a curve along the length of the edge, with the middle being quite proud of the corners. This curve helps create a slicing action, (rather than chopping) which is crucial to good clean work as well as efficiency. And the edge must be very sharp -- ideally razor sharp! A dull broad axe is worse than useless -- it is very dangerous. The effect of this razor sharp, curved and convex edge is that the wood is scooped out, leaving a subtle undulating texture similar to waves on the sea -- very different from what is often passed off as hand hewn today.

Most people who are "hewing" timbers today are using either a power planer to create a textured surface or are adzing sawn timbers -- both of these methods make an "interesting" texture, but are completely inappropriate for historic work, as the tool marks are completely different than what you see on authentically hewn timber. It is important to note that each hewer leaves behind subtle, tell-tale tool marks that allow an observant person to play detective and determine among other things whether the carpenter was left or right handed, which direction along the timber he was moving as he hewed, how high off the ground the log was, the size of the different axes used, whether one person hewed the entire timber or one man went up one side, while another man went down the other, whether two faces were hewed before the log was rolled, or whether one face was hewn and the log rolled each time.

I am sure that is much more information than most people care to know about how a carpenter swung his axe on a particular day a couple hundred years ago. Nevertheless, it is valuable information when it comes to understanding how a particular building was built; especially in terms of documenting existing timbers to better understand the original techniques or when we need to repair, restore, or replace damaged or missing timbers in a way that is consistent with the original means and methods. It is entirely possible when replacing a timber, to study other contemporary pieces from the same building and then hew the replacement the same way the original was done, reproducing the act of conversion as well as the product. Not only do I believe there is cultural value in this knowledge and skill--keeping alive and in some cases rediscovering the subtleties of a traditional building skill that mostly died--it is simply the most accurate process for reproducing a hewn timber. While I understand that such a level of detailed care is not appropriate for many projects, occasionally it probably is – when accurately replicating parts of the original process is an important part of the clients program. Or when close just doesn't cut it – such as work done on cultural treasures.

And even on the more everyday projects, I still think it is important to recognize authenticity and to value it enough to avoid cheap imitations. For more information about hand hewn timbers, give us a call.

Tagged: hand hewn, traditional timber framing, broad axe, historical timber framing, hand hewing, timber frame, hand hewn timber frame  |  0 comments

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