Timber Frame Joinery
The key to timber framing is connecting the beams together
in a way which is both strong and beautiful.
Click Here to visit our new Joints page at www.VermontTimberWorks.com
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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.
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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.
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Tongue & Fork:
Used primarily at the ridge, the tongue and fork locks the rafters together and is secured with
hardwood pegs.
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