Timber Framing
Course Description: Over the last two decades the historic craft of timber framing in residential construction has experienced a revival. Students will learn the fundamentals of designing and constructing a timber frame using mortise and tenon joinery. Layout techniques, tool use and sharpening, and joinery cutting methods are taught as we work on a small timber frame project. Evening lectures will address the history of the craft, finishing techniques, and mechanical systems for timber frame houses. We will also touch on frame design, joinery choices and integration of frame and house design. The class ends with a raising on the final day.
Credits: This course is eligible for 35 AIA Continuing Education Learning Units.
Suggested/Required Reading:
Building a Classic Timber-Framed House by Jack Sobon ( available for purchase in the Yestermorrow bookstore)
Timber Frame Construction by Jack Sobon
What is this course about anyway?
To the un-initiated, timber framed buildings - structures constructed with large timbers that are connected with mortise and tenon joinery - may seem dauntingly complex and extremely difficult to build. This course seeks to de-mystify the craft of timber framing and to teach a basic proficiency of timber framing skills.
We will divide our course schedule between the daytime hands-on learning of woodworking skills as we cut and raise a small frame and the evening sessions where we will learn about design, engineering and whole house systems.
Who is it for?
Anyone who is interested in the building craft of timber framing. All students, no matter what skill level they bring to the class, will participate actively in the cutting and erecting of a timber frame project.
In the past our students have included professional builders who want to shift into timber frame building, homeowners and hobby woodworkers who want to build a modest timber frame structure for themselves, and potential timber frame homeowners who want an intimate education in the art of timber framing.
What is the curriculum?
We begin the course with some introductory themes: What is timber framing? What is its history? Why has there been such a resurgence in the past 30 years? Why would anyone want to build in this style
Major topics that will be addressed and studied include:
- Designing the frame: designing for strength and load carrying capacity; aesthetics of designs; different timber framing options; raising considerations
- Joinery systems: familiarity with different joints and their characteristics; layout of joinery on timbers and strategies for cutting joints
- Timbers: grading; assessing timbers in the shop; different species; detailing; oiling and finishing techniques
- The importance of holistic design: why a beautiful timber frame does not necessarily make a good timber frame home (or barn); integrating the frame and the living /use space; use of open space; how the frame can enhance living spaces
- Enclosure systems for the timber frames: different options for the insulation of frames; stress skin panels; Larsen trusses; siding; roofing; and window considerations
- House systems: special considerations for plumbing, heating, electrical and ventilation systems
Each day students will be making the chips fly as they learn timber framing skills and as we transform a pile of timbers into a raised frame. Students learn and practice sharpening techniques for chisels and other hand tools, gain competency with a variety of power tools, and become proficient in laying out and cutting a variety of joints.
Evening sessions will follow a lecture/discussion format and include slide shows. We will also include in our busy schedule a field trip to a number of local timber framed houses and a historic wooden covered bridge.
Students will also be introduced to the nitty gritty of frame planning; punching calculators; computing loads; working through the mathematics of frame dimensions (roof rise and run, knee brace triangulation, etc.) and generating shop drawings (the "paper link" between frame design and successfully cutting timbers to the proper dimensions).
What should you bring?
Enthusiasm and energy to eat, sleep, and breathe timber framing for a week!
We ask that all students come to the course with basic carpentry and measuring tools, including a basic tool belt, Dixon Ticonderoga medium carpenter's pencils, tape measure, framing square, combination square, utility knife, hearing protection and safety glasses. If you have them, you can also bring: mallet, crosscut saw, rip saw, jack plane (#5), smoothing plane (#4). Yestermorrow has a selection of timber framing chisels for students to try. If you choose to purchase your own chisel prior to the course, we suggest finding a quality older timber framing chisel or purchasing a quality Sorby or Woodcraft 1-1/2" faming chisel. Come prepared to work outside in a variety of weather! Steel-toes boots are recommended, comfortable hiking boots are a minimum. Other helpful items to bring include a water bottle, pencils, notebook and camera.
Rough Course Outline*
*Subject to change based on interests of students and demands of the specific class project.
Sunday
5PM Welcome, orientation to Yestermorrow, dinner, intro to class project
Monday
AM Introduction to tools, layout demo, cutting demo
PM Cutting frame
EVE Slide show
Tuesday
AM Cutting frame, sharpening demonstration
PM Cutting frame
EVE House tours and dinner out
Wednesday
AM Cutting frame
PM Cutting frame
EVE Whole house systems lecture
Thursday
AM Cutting frame
PM Cutting frame
EVE Design workshop
Friday
AM Cutting frame
PM Cutting frame
Saturday
AM Assembling bents and braces
PM Frame Raising
EVE Graduation ceremony and dinner |
