Datasheet

Common
rafters:
Secondary
rafters
located between bents.
Collar
ties: Horizontal
timbers that span
between
rafters to
)
prevent
sagging.
Purlins:
Florizontal timbers that
connect
roof trusses.
Girders:
Horizontal
timbers
that
span between sills.
Tirnber frame
construction
at
a
glance
Frame configurations vary depending
on
the size and shape of the structure and
the aesthetic aims of its designer. Also,
joinery
details
vary widely
depending
on
the
region and the expertise of the
framer. The drawing, left, shows a typi-
cal
frame for
a two-story
home. Detailed
drawings on the
following
page pro-
vide a closer look at many of the
joints
used in this framing system.
Because
part
of
the wood in each
timber
is
cut away to
form mortises,
tenons, dovetails, and other
interlock-
ing shapes, many of the timbers
for
a
large frame,
such as a
house
or
barn,
must
be
quite
hefty
(8x10"
or 8x12"),
and therefore require extra
muscle
power-or
hoists-to maneuver them
into
position
for
shaping and
fitting.
Connecting
girts:
Horizontal
timbers that
span between
posts
in
two bents.
Sills:
Horizontal timbers that
rest on the foundation.
Bent: The
principal
unit in a timber
frame, above, consists of two
posts
connected by bent
girts,
bent
plates,
and
knee
braces. Rafters and sills
may
be
included.
Bents are often
constructed on the
ground,
then
raised
into
position
using ropes and
poles
(or
a crane). A timber frame for
a
typical
two-story house consists of four bents
joined
together to form three bays.
:
Parallel
timbers that span
other
floor timbers to
Bay: The
box area
formed
by
joining
two
bents
together
with connecting
girts,
as shown
al
right. Every timber frame
has
at
least
one bay, though
most,
such as the example,
above, contain more. In a traditional house layout, main
rooms
occupy the outer bays.
Hallways,
stairs, bathrooms,
and service areas are clustered
in
a
narrower middle
bay.
complete the floor
support system.
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