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Blog > Design, Posts By Sandy, Steel Connections > Connecting Timbers With Steel

Connecting Timbers With Steel

By Sandy Connolly on December 19, 2013

Today’s post is going to be all about steel connections. Sometimes steel connections are used in timber framing to provide additional structural support, and other times steel is used just because it looks good. It’s all about personal preference.

Steel Plates

Steel Plates

The picture above is of typical steel plates primed with black paint.  Every now and then, we’ll get a request for powder coated steel, and that’s fun to see. Which color would you choose?  I’m partial to red…

Steel Joinery

Steel Joinery

Remember the teddy bear factory?  It’s the frame shown above, and has trusses reinforced with steel plates.

Steel Plate with Rod Assembly

Steel Plate with Rod Assembly

This one has black steel plates and steel tie rods.

heavy-timber-spruce-peak-frame

Stowe mountain lodge, pictured above, is a complex timber frame where steel joinery was necessary structurally and also looks good.  Ledger beams and girder trusses are both connected to the column with steel.  A lot going on!

Timber Frame Pavilion

Timber Frame Pavilion

This steel joinery gives the pavilion a rustic look, in my opinion. The plates add a weight to the design.

Steel Column Cap

Steel Column Cap

Last one for today.  That’s a galvanized steel column cap.  The timber braces are cut so they can fit into the steel column.

Galvanized Steel Cap

Galvanized Steel Cap

How’s that for an interesting connection?

Thank you for stopping by our timber framer’s blog. If you like steel joinery, or have any timber frame questions, we encourage you to get in contact, ask an expert, or share your thoughts in the comment section below!

About the Author

Sandy Connolly

Wife and Mother (twin girls ROCK), Horses are fun...beautiful kitchens make me smile :-) love timber framing!
0 comments
  1. Emery says:

    Interesting steel joinery examples!

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