Post And Beam Foundation: "Traditional" Timber Framing

I use the term "traditional" timber framing for post and beam foundation to describe the system of joining timbers to each other without benefit of metal or mechanical fasteners.

Typically, posts, girders, rafters, king and queen pins, etc., are connected to each other by the use of time-tested joinery such as mortise and tenon joints, scarf jointing, dovetails, rabbetting, etc.

In most cases, one or more people will lay out the various sides, gable ends, and "bents" (internal wall framing or other internal structural assemblies) on the ground.

Time and care are taken to join the various heavy timbers by one of the many clever and intricate joints that have evolved over the centuries.

Sometimes, particularly with owner-builders of a post and beam foundation, a completed section will be raised with the help of friends, so that there is room on the site (or foundation site) in the next component.

Alternatively — and this is more common with experienced limber frame builders — the entire barn or house frame may be erected in a single day.

Professionals often manufacture all of the components in a shop environment, making sure that the pieces fit together properly, and then reassemble the frame on site.

Although traditional timber frames are sometimes used with natural infill alternatives, they are more commonly built to support pre-made insulated panels on the exterior, with wooden siding installed later.

The fine joints are in evidence on the internal skeleton of heavy timbers, a beautiful and impressive effect.

Spacing of vertical members is more critical when applying manufactured stress skin panels than it is when a natural infilling is used between posts.

Done professionally, traditional timber framing can be quite expensive because of the labor and materials cost, but good timber framers are worth every cent they get in terms of quality.

Owner-builders can do the work, too, but developing and using the required skills will add very much more time to the project.

I am an experienced owner-builder, but I would certainly take a two-week course at one of the building schools before embarking on a traditional timber-framing project for post and beam foundation.

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