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Applying Timber Finish

Our Favorite Wood Stains at VTW

By Caitlin on August 31, 2018

Applying Finish Here, dark walnut Minwax stain is being applied to the chamfered edge on the timbers using a foam brush. Each beam has stain applied to all four sides and in all the pockets and joints.   There are many important choices to make when considering the details of […]

Weathered Timber Walkway at Clay Pit Ponds Visitor Center in Staten Island, NJ

Weathered Beams

By Caitlin on March 15, 2018

Today we’ll take a more in-depth look at weathered beams, the process, the look, and some examples. Weathering is an option you can choose for your timber that gives it an aged, antique look. The weathered beams generally look much older than they actually are and they give a space […]

Ox Hill Barn in Vermont Fabricated from Glulam and Douglas Fir.

What Wood Species Should I Build With?

By Caitlin on March 01, 2018

When you start to plan your Timber Frame project, one of the biggest questions you’ll have to answer is what species of wood you want to use for your frame. The wood species you choose will affect the price of your frame, the dimensions of the wood members, and other […]

Exterior beams with stone post bases on the porch of the Night Pasture Farm in Chelsea, VT

Rot in Heavy Timber Columns

By Doug Friant on April 12, 2017

    This heavy timber column looks terrific after 20 years of use, but there is a serious design problem with the stone surround. The column base is actually a stone veneer built on plywood and sealed at the top. Water was able to seep into the buildup, even after […]

Checking in Curved Braces

Checking in Curved Braces

By Nathalie Belleau on May 07, 2015

Often our clients like the look of arched braces, and we like them too. Adding curves can add elegance and a certain “je ne sais quoi” to a timber frame.  They certainly look beautiful when they are done right. However, if the curve is cut too deep, checking can occur along […]

Complex joinery in a timber frame workout room made from rough sawn white pine

Knots In A Timber Frame

By Sue Baldwin on February 04, 2015

Knots in a timber frame – yes or no? What do you think of the natural knots that embellish this frame? Do you think they enhance the look of the timber, or would you cover them up if you could? Often here, at VTW, we get requests for “paint grade […]

Heavy Timber

Heavy Timber

By Sandy Connolly on September 30, 2014

In the building industry, the word timber alone can mean wood used for dimensional 2″ x 4″ framing. In our industry, timber means “heavy timber” and heavy timbers are wood beams that are larger than 3″. Although, we don’t typically see beams smaller than a 6x. Did you know that […]

Douglas fir Logs

Douglas fir–a versatile species

By Mike McLaine on September 19, 2014

Here at Vermont Timber Works we pride ourselves in being able to use any species of wood that is commercially available.  Douglas fir is one of the species we use, and is a great species for timber framing. Douglas fir is available in several different finishes:  rough sawn, S4S (surfaced […]

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