Archive for November, 2025
Why Does Raising the Bottom Chord of a Truss Increase Cost?
Understanding Raised Bottom Chords in Timber Trusses At Vermont Timber Works (VTW), we design and fabricate a wide range of custom timber trusses for residential, commercial, and public structures. Timber trusses are an excellent way to open up interior spaces — allowing for vaulted ceilings that bring in more light […]
How Far Can A Timber Truss Span?
Understanding the Factors That Influence Timber Truss Design and Performance One of the most common questions we hear at Vermont Timber Works is: “How far can a timber truss span?” The quick answer is that a timber truss can span up to forty feet easily in most areas of the […]
How Do Timber Frames Resolve Lateral Loads?
Understanding Lateral Loads in Timber Frame Design In structural engineering, gravity loads and lateral loads are often designed with separate systems because each type of force acts differently and requires distinct structural support. Gravity loads are vertical forces such as: Dead loads – the self-weight of the structure and its […]
A Timber Framed Pavilion – From Vision to Reality…
For me, the most rewarding thing about working at VTW is watching a project evolve from a sketch, photograph, or sometimes just a verbal description, to a fully realized standing structure. A couple of years ago, we were contacted by some clients who knew exactly what they wanted. They had […]
Dovetail Joinery in Timber Framing
The “Dovetail” is a classic wood working joint that is used in furniture making, cabinets and timber frames. If you open the drawer on a custom kitchen cabinet, chances are the four sides are joined together with dovetails. Fine furniture uses dovetail joinery too. The dovetails in timber frames are […]
