Vermont Timber Works
36 Fairbanks Road
N. Springfield, VT 05150
(802) 886-1917
(802) 886-6188 Fax
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Traditonal Timber Framed Jointery with Pegs
Timber Joint with Post, Braces, Tie and Rafters

Timber members should neither be too large or too small and the joints should stay tight over time. All wooden beams will shrink & check as they dry - it is part of the unique nature of timber framed buildings. The element that defines a professional timber framer is the way in which the joints fit together. A good joint will stay tight and strong for generations.

Most of our joints are pinned together with 1-inch hardwood pegs. The geometry of the joint itself carries most of the structural load, and the peg holds the joint in place. When loads are extraordinarily large or when aesthetics call for it, we use heavy steel plates & bolts, as in the Vermont Teddy Bear Company frame shown below. All of our joints undergo in house engineering to confirm their strength and integrity.

All of our frames are handcrafted to meet exact project requirements, and we enjoy working with our clients to make sure the details - from design to finish - are just right. Let our in house design and engineering team design the perfect heavy timber truss for your project!

Steel Boot Timber Connection
Vermont Teddy Bear Factory
 
Mortise & Tenon

Mortise & Tenon

As the most common timber framing joint, the mortise & tenon is versatile and functional. It is used to fasten connectors, posts, collar ties, struts, etc. The tenon can vary in size from 1-1/2" thick by 4" long to 3" thick by 10" long, depending on the load requirements of a particular joint. It is held tight by hardwood pegs.

Mortise & Tenon Timber Joints
     
Double Mortise & Tenon

Double Through
Mortise & Tenon:

This joint is used in cases of extreme tension. We have tested to loads in excess of 17,000 pounds tension without deforming it!
     
Brace Mortise & Tenon

Brace Mortise & Tenon:

A variation on the mortise & tenon, this joint is used to fasten braces and struts to posts and girts. Braces keep the frame from leaning or "racking", so their length is critical. As with all our joints, we cut braces to tolerances of 1/32 of an inch.

 Post & Beam Timber Brace
     
Heavy Timber Dovetail

Dovetail:

Dovetails are used to connect joists and purlins to girts and rafters. The dovetail is cut slightly smaller than its corresponding pocket so it slips in easily when the frame is raised. Then hardwood wedges are driven into the joint to pull the joist or purlin tight.

Handcrafting a Timber Dovetail
     
Shouldered Mortise & Tenon

Shouldered Mortise and Tenon:

This joint is used to connect a girt to a post. The shoulder transfers the girt's load directly to the post while hardwood pegs hold the joint tight.

Shouldered Mortise & Tenoned Timber Girts
     
Rafter Tongue and Fork

Tongue & Fork:

Used primarily at the ridge, the tongue and fork locks the rafters together and is secured with hardwood pegs.

 

 3d Post & Beam Frame Drawing
 
Hand Hewn Timbers with Authentic Joinery  
   

Vermont Timber Works - Full Service Timber Frame Company and Post & Beam Supplier for Homes, Houses, Churches, Barns and Commercial Projects 06130 - Delivery Nationwide.

 

 

 

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