Timber Frame Wood Species

Timber Frame Wood Species

When dismantling the historic timber framed barns and shelters of the past, it's coarse to eye a range of distinct wood timbers development up the structural frame. When function - and not aesthetics - was invariably the priority, timbers in fact accessible and indigenous to the immediate area were the most likely candidates. Poplar, maple, and beech might do the job - but so would a chestnut (considered extinct) or a walnut timber, too. Barn restorers and reclaimed flooring manufacturers would reconsider these a treasured find.

Today, accessibility is less of an issue. We have the means to ship timber from close or afar, which broadens our menu of choices. And single specie timber frames are proper - although not in every case. Our choices, if not dictated by engineering requirements for strength or length, are typically based more on the color, the stability, and the cost.

Framing Nails Degree

In general, the trees from which the timber is extracted come in two categories: deciduous and coniferous. Deciduous trees are identifiable because they lose their leaves annually. Ash and maple fall into this class but are commonly not chosen for timbers for varied reasons. Other hardwoods favored by timber framers, like the oaks and cherry are very strong and exciting but difficult to find in high capability And convenient sizes. All woods that are hard are more susceptible to "checking" as they dry. Checking is the cracking that forms along the vertical grain of the timber while it dries. Although all wood checks to a degree, it is not uncommon for a hardwood to form a check deep and wide adequate to insert the tips of your fingers. Checking does not necessarily result the structural integrity of the timber - especially when care is taken to contend the heart (center where the growth rings begin) within the timber; this is referred to as boxed heart. As a rule of thumb, it takes approximately one year to air dry one inch of timber - so, expect an occasional "crack" in the middle of the night during the first six to eight years of enjoying your timber framed home. At this time, there are some experimental facilities attempting to kiln dry timber - but, unlike the scale of wood used in furniture, a timber is very distinct in mass. Arguably, the methods are still rudimentary and can adversely work on the appearance and cell buildings of a timber. Since one cannot expect the kiln dried appearance of fine furniture in a timber, we opt to allow the timber to dry in place, set nicely in housed joinery and firmly snugged with wooden pegs.

Coniferous trees are the ones with pine cones and needles. Douglas fir, hemlock, white and yellow pine, heart pine, spruce, cedar and others are all viable timber frame choices. They are commonly more plentiful, check less, and emit a pleasant scent for years. Carefully "softwoods", the name should not imply weakness. Douglas fir, for instance, is harvested from both sides of the Cascade mountains in the Pacific Northwest. It is very strong, stable and is available in long lengths (easily up to 50 feet). It comes in a range of capability levels and appearance grades. It's color varies from warm pinks, oranges and rusty reds. While eastern white pine, very consistent in color and just as stable, is about half it's raw material cost - development it a popular favorite. Southern pine and hemlock are on the harder side of the scale for soft woods and can be unruly and check like hardwoods, but they are beautiful in color and grain.

Most timber suppliers are linked with forest management and replenishment programs, but if your conscience pulls you in the conservationist direction, recycled and reclaimed timbers offer an perfect alternative. Upon request, timbers that have enjoyed a old life as a factory, a bridge, or a storehouse can be reused in your home or project. Riddled with character marks; bolt holes, rust stains and nail pocks, etc, reclaimed timbers can be used as is or remilled to give it a facelift and expose it's lost inner beauty. Its saving commonly adds steps to the procurement process which increases it's cost over newly harvested timbers, but the results can be dramatic and unique. Woodhouse once shipped a recycled frame to Colorado that began as a train trestle. It was submerged for years and since recovered from the depths of the Great Salt Lake in Utah.

Timber Frame Wood Species

Check Price on - Framing Nails Degree Products

Portable All in One Mp3 Player - Walkman CD/MP4 Digital Player - Video Player - Stereo System