Posts Tagged with timber frame
Georgia based timber framers make "historic" television debut
Posted on April 11, 2008 by Ansley Holder
WHERE do two timber framers from Georgia make their television debut discussing a hand tool commonly used to build historic reproduction timber frames and repair historic timber frames? You guessed it--on the History Channel. ("Historic timber frames" was a pretty good hint--I made it really easy for ya'll!) An upcoming episode of the wildly popular television program Modern Marvels will feature Holder Bros. Timber Frames co-owners Whit and Gabel Holder demonstrating the axes and hand-hewing techniques they use in their timber framing work.
WHO attracted the attention of the Modern Marvels producers? Gabel Holder wrote a timber frame blog about one of his favorite tools, the axe, and the producers found Gabel's blog post on the Holder Bros. Timber Frames web site while doing research for the upcoming episode.
WHAT will the timber framers demonstrate or talk about on the Modern Marvels program? Whit and Gabel will demonstrate converting a round log into a hand-hewn beam for a timber frame using only axes. They will show their collection of axes and describe the various different uses for each one.
WHY is the axe important to hand hewing and building timber frames? The axe has been crucial to humans for building shelter for thousands of years. Before sawmills, square timbers to build with were hand-hewn from round logs using a felling axe and a broad axe. The axe and its proper use allow Holder Bros. to create accurate reproductions of historic timber frames and repair historic timber frames. Using the proper techniques and tools to create hand-hewn timbers makes a night and day difference from the faux hand-hewn effect accomplished with electric machines. If you want something to look hand-hewn, it should really be hewn by hand.
WHEN will the episode air? The episode featuring timber framers Whit and Gabel Holder is scheduled to air on the History Channel on May 7th.
Tagged: timber frame, timber framing, historic timber framing, modern marvels, hand hewn timber frame, traditional timber framing, hand hewn timbers, timber frame georgia, timber frame restoration | 0 comments
The 2008 Traditional Timber Frame Research and Advisory Group Symposium
Posted on April 10, 2008 by Gabel Holder
The Timber Framers Guild recently held a symposium of its Traditional Timber Frame Research and Advisory Group at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's National Conservation Training Center in Shepherdstown, West Virginia. The event was held March 14-16 and was packed full of interesting and informative presentations and demonstrations regarding traditional and historic timber framing.
Two of us left the timber framing shop here in Monroe, Georgia around lunch on Thursday and rode over to Columbia, South Carolina where our crew was working on a historic restoration project. We picked up a couple of the guys and headed north, arriving in Shepherdstown the night before the event started.
We spent Friday visiting five timber framed bank barns in Jefferson County, which has around two hundred remaining historic timber framed bank barns. Many of the barns were framed of beautiful hand hewn oak timbers. One of the barns we visited had a large number of hand hewn walnut timbers! There were many interesting timber framing details to look at and puzzle over.
That night we heard a presentation on traditional masonry materials and techniques, specifically relating to stonework and lime mortars. We also heard engineer Dave Fischetti speak about the process of engineering repairs to historic timber frame buildings. He has provided the engineering for a large number of restoration and repair projects, such as Market Hall in Charleston, South Carolina, Phi Gamma Hall in Oxford, Georgia, and numerous covered bridges and historic churches. We've been fortunate to work with Dave in the past and look forward to working together again later this year.
It was great to see all of our friends in the Timber Framers Guild. What an incredible group of people! I would encourage anyone interested in timber framing to join the guild and go to an event - you won’t regret it!
Saturday we enjoyed several fascinating presentations on topics including the systematic study of historic timber framed buildings, creating accurate survey drawings of historic timber frames, the repair and restoration of church steeples and spire timber framing. All very interesting stuff!
That evening we watched a slide show featuring the work of the conference attendees. Holder Brothers Timber Frames were proud to present two of our projects. It is always inspiring to see the work that others are doing in the field of historic and traditional timber framing.
Sunday morning we attended a great presentation on shoring, rigging, and lifting timber frame buildings for repair and restoration work. After that, we loaded back up and headed South in time for work Monday morning. What a weekend!
If you are interested in historic or traditional timber framing, you should look into joining the Timber Framers Guild (www.tfguild.org) and its Traditional Timber Frame Research and Advisory Group.
Tagged: hand hewn, historic timber frame, historic restoration, ttrag, timber framers guild, timber frame barn, timber frame, traditional timber frame | 0 comments
Tools of the Trade--Axes
Posted on January 07, 2008 by Gabel Holder
Axes are the subject of this installment of tools of the trade -- where I choose one tool or family of tools that we use in our timber framing work and talk a little about it. I am excited to write about this in particular, as I have a real soft spot for axes (as you can see).
Axes come in all shapes and sizes, from small 1 1/2 pound hatchets to large broadaxes with a 14" edge. While we don't use every one of the axes pictured, we do use many of them regularly in our work of building and restoring traditional timber frames. While we also use a few modern tools (I'll talk about them in a later blog), the foundation of our craftsmanship is our skill with the tools that were traditionally used to make timber frames. These traditional tools still work just as well today as they did when Master Hugh Herland built Westminster Hall, provided the carpenter has the training and skill to efficiently and accurately put them to use.
As for axes, we reach for some of these when we're cutting timber frames to rough out joinery such as housings, reductions, or tenons. You can remove a lot of wood in a hurry with a sharp axe if you know what you're doing. Hand axes and hatchets are often used for various trimming tasks, such as pointing pegs. We use some of the larger axes when we're working on a job that calls for hand hewn timbers. For that process, a felling axe is used to score the logs (removing the bulk of the waste wood) and then a broad axe is used to "take it to the line", smoothing the timber and creating the distinctive pattern of a (correctly) hand-hewn timber. That texture cannot be duplicated by modern techniques - if you want it to look right, you have to do it the right way.
In the photo, clockwise from top left, is an American Jersey pattern felling axe, goosewing broad axe from Austria, 12" American broad axe, Gransfors Bruks broad axe, Gransfors carving axe, Gransfors mortise axe, American broad hatchet, small American broad hatchet, competition throwing axe, bearded axe based on ancient Scandinavian pattern, Gransfors forest axe, American Hudson Bay axe, American half wedge felling axe.
These are some of our favorite tools to use here at Holder Brothers Timber Frames. Stay tuned for more Tools of the Timber Framing Trade ....
Tagged: timber frame preservation, timber frame restoration, timber frame, historic timber frame, hand hewn timber frame, heavy timber construction, hand hewn trusses, historic timber framing, timber frame georgia | 0 comments
Building more than Timber Frames
Posted on January 02, 2008 by Ansley Holder
In addition to building timber frames, we are also building relationships with each one of our clients.
We have been extremely fortunate to work for many wonderful people over the years, including private individuals and commercial businesses, and we have enjoyed getting to know them professionally and personally. The relationships we develop with our clients are extremely important to us.
We were recently invited to attend a community event held in one of our recent timber frame projects. The timber frame is an 1860's barn that was relocated to Morgan County, Georgia. We repaired and replaced many of the original timbers, and also added on to the original barn.
The event was a fund raiser for a local hospital and was hosted by our clients in their newly completed "antique" timber frame. It was a very enjoyable evening and we were thrilled to see our clients' satisfaction and pride each time a guest complimented their beautiful timer framed building!
Tagged: timber frame georgia, timber frame, post and beam georgia, heavy timber construction, timber frame construction, timber framing | 0 comments
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
A visit to Old Salem Village
Posted on June 27, 2007 by Gabel Holder
I recently attended the annual symposium of the Traditional Timber Frame Research and Advisory Group (TTRAG) held at Old Salem Village in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
Salem was founded in 1763 by Moravian settlers, who came down from Pennsylvania. Old Salem Village is an incredible place to visit, with extremely well-preserved 18th century buildings everywhere. The conference attendees were allowed to crawl around in the attics of several of the oldest buildings and see some nice Germanic timber framing. It was a great chance to see some dusty old historic timber frames!
For me the highlight of the attic tour was the Home Moravian Church, built in 1800. The timber framing in the roof is impressive and the view from the bell tower was great. Another great old timber framed building is the Single Brother's House. It was built in 1769, and is a half-timbered building with brick infill between exposed hand hewn timbers. An all brick expansion was built in 1786. The entire building has a nice Germanic roof system built with mostly hand hewn timber and sash sawn timber, with a few pit sawn members.
In addition to the well-preserved architecture, there are many museums, shops and artisans to visit. If you are ever in central North Carolina, Old Salem Village is definitely worth a visit.
Tagged: timber frame church, hand hewn, north carolina, timber frame, historic timber framing, ttrag, traditional timber framing, colonial timber frame | 0 comments
Standard Plans?
Posted on May 04, 2007 by Ansley Holder
A lot of people ask us if we have a catalog of home plans or if we design homes. While some timber frame companies have "standard plans", many offer home design services, and a few even have licensed architects on staff, we're a little bit different. Here's how.
Typically, our projects have several key members in addition to the client, the two most important being the architect and the general contractor. The architect designs the building, whether it is a home, library, church, barn, based on the client's needs, goals, and budget, as well as the site characteristics, and a host of other considerations. Once the design is finalized, the architect then creates the construction documents, putting on paper exactly what will be built and how it will be built in the form of a set of plans and written specifications. The general contractor takes these documents and agrees to build the project as spelled out in the construction documents.
Our role as specialty sub-contractors is to handle the heavy timber aspect of the project. Sometimes we are asked to consult with the architect about the design of the heavy timber structure, and sometimes the architect designs the timber frame and we engineer and build it. Either way, our involvement is limited to the heavy timber aspect of the project.
That's how it works in a nutshell. If you would like to know more about our company or this process, give us a call. We would love to answer your questions and discuss your project.
Tagged: standard plans, timber frame plans, timber frame design, timber frame, timber architecture | 0 comments
Hewing, Riving, and Scribing
Posted on May 04, 2007 by Gabel Holder
We recently built a historic reproduction timber frame for Charles Towne Landing State Park in Charleston, South Carolina to be used in their interpretation of the 1670 era original settlement. The 15' by 30' servant's quarters was designed based on archaeological evidence from the original site and thorough historic research. The frame is a single story with a sleeping loft and has sill timbers that are supported by earth-fast cedar poles. Around 25 slaves and servants would have lived in this house.
One of the most exciting things to me about this project was the opportunity for us to use historic techniques to layout and cut the hand hewn and riven timbers for the frame. The project's specifications called for the timber frame to be scribed (a traditional carpentry technique used until the 19th century) and for all visible tool marks to be authentic hand tool marks. What a great opportunity!
Having recently completed several scribed projects, we were very excited by the chance to use these methods on a historically authentic timber frame using all hand-converted material. Our job was to supply about one third of the hand converted materials, scribe and cut the joinery, raise the frame, and install the hand riven oak clapboards. We worked with 4 different species of timber, hewing oak for purlins, pine for floor joists, and cedar for the exposed chimney framing, riving cedar for studs, and hewing one side and peeling the cypress pole rafters. We also made the riven and hand drawn white oak pegs for the frame.
After the timbers were converted, we scribed wall frames, cross frames, trusses, and roof frames together. Then we were off to Charleston to raise the frame and put the roof on. What a great feeling to start with a pile of logs and finish with a building!
If you're ever in Charleston, I recommend a visit to Charles Towne Landing State Park. It is an interesting and enjoyable place to wander around and they do a great job of showing us where and how the settlers of the South's largest colonial port city lived.
Tagged: colonial timber frame, charles towne landing, timber frame, hand hewing, hand hewn, scribing, historic reproduction, south carolina, hand hewn timber frame | 0 comments
