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What's new, general information and frequently asked questions about timber frame and post and beam construction, inspired and beautifully built buildings, timber frame home design advice, what woods to use, and best practices.
Check out our timber frame videos for a unique glimpse into our projects and methods.

Timber Frame Builder

If you’re in the market for a timber frame builder, we’re happy you found us. But there’s something we should clarify. Technically, we aren’t builders—meaning we don’t usually fill the general contractor role.

Put another way, we do build timber frames, but we don’t build houses. (That’s what general contractors and builders do.)

Carolina Timberworks is a North Carolina-based timber frame subcontractor, meaning we specialize in:

Timber frame design
Timber frame engineering
Timber frame fabrication
Timber frame installation

In short, we handle everything having to do with the timber framing portion of the building. Typically, we work for the general contractor or builder, in close collaboration with the architect and engineer(s).

If that sounds like exactly what you need, then we’re extra happy you found us. Let us introduce ourselves, share what we do, and explain how our timber frame construction process usually works.

Understanding Timber Frame Construction

Timber frame construction is a method that dates back nearly 2,000 years, and we think it’s still as relevant and beautiful as ever. A traditional timber frame uses wood-to-wood joinery (no nails, screws, bolts, or metal plates), creating structures that are gorgeous, sustainable, and incredibly durable.

Timber frame buildings range from classic barns to custom homes to places we work. At Carolina Timberworks, we partner with architects and builders to integrate timber framing into your home construction project.

Choosing the Right Timber Frame Builder or Timber Frame Subcontractor

07:28 minutes about how the custom timber frame home building process works

Finding the right builder or timber frame subcontractor isn’t always easy. Some companies are cost-efficient but less than great with communication. Others get behind schedule or lack clarity about their scope of work.

After 20+ years in business, we’ve seen how easy it is to approach this role the wrong way. That’s why we provide detailed written proposals, weekly progress reports, stick to the schedule, and even clean up at the end of the day—in addition to designing, engineering, fabricating, and installing timber frame structures.

We have plenty of tips on how to interview a timber frame company because we think it’s essential to find the right partner. (By the way, every one of these tips also applies to choosing a builder.) Here are some areas we think are most important.

Experience

If it’s their first rodeo, you’re putting a lot at risk. Ideally, you’ll want to find a builder or timber frame subcontractor who has been in business at least 15 years. That’s long enough for the marketplace (and recessions) to have weeded out the bad people and bad business models.

It’s also long enough for the company to have made (and learned from) their mistakes. That’s a big part of how companies learn to build better buildings (and timber frames) while also ending up with happy customers.

Fifteen years is enough time to have built a (good or bad) reputation, a portfolio of finished work, and a whole bunch of customers, to whom you can pose the single-most important question: What was it like to work with this company, and would you tell me some stories?

As a general rule, the larger and more challenging the project, the more experience you’ll want. Carolina Timberworks has been in business for 20+ years and we’re looking for your challenging, difficult, big, and/or time-critical project.

Reputation

Another important consideration is the builder or timber frame subcontractor’s reputation. Here’s the problem: unlike Amazon, no one in the building industry puts bad reviews on their website.

Start by looking for testimonials on the builder or timber framer’s website. Even if they’re all positive reviews, what patterns can you see? Then, re-read them, looking for what people don’t say.

It can be helpful to check online reviews. Naturally, the quality and content of the review matters, but if you only see five-star ratings, be skeptical.

Every homeowner knows this, but you’d be surprised at how few actually take the time to ask for references, and then call them. You’re about to get married to a builder and his or her subcontractors for a year or more.

Once you’ve made a choice to work with a particular builder or subcontractor, pause. Don’t fall in love just yet. Ask for references. And call them.

Quality

Does the builder or timber frame subcontractor’s work meet or exceed your quality expectations? Is it built to last?

Here’s the problem.

You’re undoubtedly very good at what you do for a living, but if you’re like most people, you don’t really know what makes one house better than another, or higher performance, or longer lasting. Or for that matter, what makes one timber frame company’s joinery better or worse than another’s.

Here at Carolina Timberworks, we live by the saying, “When you buy quality, you only cry once.” We’re committed to delivering a quality timber frame that’s built to last for generations.

We’re equally committed to making the process enjoyable. If you don’t think that’s important, you might want to ask someone who has been through an unenjoyable building process to tell you some stories.

Our Timber Frame Building Process

Our timber frame process begins with a dream—yours. We start with a conversation (sometimes several) to see if we’re a good fit. If it seems like a potential partnership, we’ll move on to discussing details.

From there, you can expect things like a scope of work, a budget, a timeline, and a contract. Then the fun really begins as we proceed with the 3D model, timber frame engineering, and shop drawings before placing the timber order.

Interested in more details? We invite you to explore the steps of our timber frame process.

Building and Timber Frame Cost Considerations

No one has ever told us “money is no object.” But over the last 20+ years we’ve had a few clients who’ve quietly explained that “time is more important than money.” But make no mistake, cost is always a part of the decision.

In any building project, timber framed or not, four primary variables will determine the cost. They should be thoroughly understood, discussed and agreed in advance:

Scope
Cost
Time
Quality

Once the scope is defined, you then need to pick two of the time, cost, and quality variables.

Rules of Thumb

Rules of thumb are (almost) always wrong. They can, however, be useful in the very early phases of a construction project. For example, during the design process, you’ll be asked by your architect or design professional about your budget. He or she will then use historical data and rules of thumb to guide the resulting design.

Once design is complete, you’ll probably ask a local builder what it costs per square foot to build in a certain neighborhood, town, or county. A good builder (or timber framer) won’t answer right away without asking you some questions about your project—i.e., do you have plans, when do you plan to build, what’s the property like, etc. But eventually you’ll probably receive an answer in the form of a range, which can be useful.

An Estimate Is Just an Educated Guess

Be very careful. It is impossible to accurately estimate the cost of a building project until it has been completely designed, engineered, and detailed specifications written.

Nor is an accurate cost possible until all site-specific considerations are determined (e.g., land clearing, road, utilities, access, steepness, etc.).

Garbage In, Garbage Out

It’s wonderful when everything goes according to plan. However, if the plans you paid for are just pretty drawings, things might not go well. For one, it’s impossible for a builder (or timber framer) to accurately estimate the cost without good plans.

A good set of building plans specifies in great detail exactly how your builder (and subs) will build everything—from the number and size of rebar in the footers to the species, grade and texture of your timber framed great room.

Yes, good plans cost more. But every problem your builder encounters is going to get solved, eventually. In our experience, it’s a whole lot less expensive to figure them out in advance during the design process than it is on-site when you’re paying people to stop work and figure out what to do.

Cost Plus vs. Fixed Price

In the simplest terms (we’re not lawyers):

A fixed price contract is exactly what it sounds like: the contract is for a fixed dollar amount.

In a fixed price contract, the builder (or timber frame subcontractor) bears most of the financial risk because he or she has agreed to build the project for a fixed price.

A cost plus contract is one where the builder adds a percentage for overhead and profit to the actual cost of building the project.

In a cost plus contract, the owner bears most of the financial risk because the owner agrees to pay whatever the actual costs turn out to be (plus a percentage), regardless of the initial estimate (see garbage in, garbage out above).

We’re all guilty of ignoring the following advice, but you should ask a qualified business law attorney to review the contract before you sign it. Most of the time it’s a waste of time and a relatively small amount of your money. Every once in a while, it’ll save you from a financial and emotional train wreck.

Next Steps for Finding the Right Timber Frame Builder or Subcontractor

Have we scared you away from building? If not, are you thinking about incorporating timber framing into your project? We’d be very happy to talk with you. Contact us and tell us a little about what you have in mind, or call us at 828-266-9663. We’re nice!

Timber Frame Barn Homes

The beauty and charm of timber frame barn homes have captivated property owners seeking a private getaway worlds apart from busy cities and suburban sprawl.

What’s so ideal about a barn home? There’s something about the drama of the open interior space and the coziness of the barn structure.

In recent years, timber framing has become increasingly popular in barn homes. We might be a little biased, but it’s easy to see why. Known as “cathedrals on the prairie,” timber frame barns are both majestic and familiar—a wonderful concept to inspire a living space.

What Are Timber Frame Barn Homes?

These structures incorporate traditional timber frame building methods into a barn-style home. At Carolina Timberworks, we build them with heavy timber and wood-to-wood joinery, using timber frame trusses and pegged mortise and tenon joints.

Although they offer plenty of room for customization, most timber frame barn homes feature open-concept floor plans with large interior spaces and plenty of room for entertaining.

Reclaiming Old Barns

If you truly love the concept of an antique barn, you might like the idea of reclaiming one of these structures and turning it into a home. This option is a nice way to preserve a piece of history while turning it into a usable space.

NC Timber Frame Barn Home — A home designed around an antique timber frame barn. Design by PLATT. Photography copyright David Dietrich.

The only catch is that this approach requires finding, purchasing, and moving an antique barn. In the past, we’ve purchased antique barns for this purpose. But as you might imagine, supply is running short, and they’re increasingly difficult to find.

Building New Barn Homes

Fortunately, reclaiming old barns isn’t your only option for a timber frame barn home. It’s far more common for these homes to be new construction, using traditional building methods.

Why Build a Barn Home?

To begin, we happen to think barns are special (click here to read why).

Barns are the original multi-purpose structures. The open floor plans offer lots of space and flexibility for customization with both wide-open and tucked away spaces. Why compromise? Start a list. Bedroom(s), living room, kitchen and bathrooms–check. Workshop? Garage for your antique truck collection? Entertainment? Gym? Office? Guest bedroom suite? Game room? Basketball court (yes, it’s been done). Instead of building several buildings, build a timber frame barn home that efficiently houses everything under one roof.

The benefits of building new include substantially improved energy efficiency, as timber frame barn homes are often wrapped in a blanket of high-performance SIPs (structural insulated panels). These panels are delivered to your site pre-cut (including all door and window openings), are labeled, and go up fast (meaning you can be in the dry in days, not weeks). Later, sheetrock or wood paneling is applied to the interior walls, and the exterior can be anything you’d like (siding, wood, stone, etc.).

Assuming your building site permits orienting one roof slope facing south, the typical large barn roof shape is ideal for solar panels. Timber framing also happens to be one of the most sustainable building methods available for residential construction (and we even make our timber frames with renewable energy).

The future-proof nature of timber frame barns make them an attractive option. They’re certainly durable structures (probably because they’re loved and useful, and possibly because the simple roof shapes are less likely to leak). The open floor plans in barn homes permit reconfiguration to accommodate different stages of life. And of course, barns have a timeless and enduring appeal that has outlived quite a few other architectural styles over the past thousand or so years…

Want to learn more about the timber elements that make barn homes unique? Check out our Timber Frame Glossary for insights into key timber framing terms.

Traditional Barn Homes

We’d argue that traditional barn homes appeal to our connection with the past. Maybe we’re consciously or unconsciously re-creating something we experienced in our childhood or travels. Or perhaps it’s just the way a traditional barn home just “fits” certain pieces of property and naturally blend with, and compliment, the setting.

Modern Barn Homes

Building new also gives you significantly more opportunities for customization and the option to create a more contemporary aesthetic. Curious how a modern barn home might look?

Above, you can see a glimpse of the clean lines, open spaces, and modern finishes you can expect in this kind of space.

How Can I Build a Timber Barn Home?

We’re glad you asked. In our guide to timber frame barns, we’ve answered many of the questions that homeowners ask about building a barn, including:

How much will it cost?
Should I hire an architect?
How long will it take to build?

If this is the first time you’re considering a timber frame project, you might have questions about that process, too. We’ve answered a lot of them in our homeowner guide, which we like to call What to Expect When You’re Expecting a Timber Frame.

If you’d prefer to talk with our team or if you’d like to discuss a project in North Carolina or beyond, we’d be more than happy to do so. Send us an email or call us at 828-266-9663 – we’re nice!

What Is Sustainability?

For nearly two decades, Carolina Timberworks has pursued sustainable building practices. Today, our passion for contributing to a sustainable future only continues to grow.

Curious why we’re so invested and what this pursuit means to us? Let’s talk sustainability.

What Is Sustainability?

In a nutshell, sustainability is the concept that we can meet the needs of the current generation without compromising future ones. It’s a big idea that spans economic, social, and environmental concepts. But there’s one common goal: to maintain a healthy world for all living things for generations to come.

What Are the 3 Pillars of Sustainability?

To understand how we’re working toward a sustainable future, it’s helpful to know the three pillars of this concept:

Environmental sustainability involves practices like reducing waste, decreasing harmful emissions, and using cleaner energy sources. For this concept to work, we have to use natural renewable resources (like timber) at a rate where the forests can replenish themselves while still being harvested for raw materials.
Social sustainability refers to the (positive and negative) impacts a business has on people. At a minimum, a business impacts the lives of its employees and their families. Questions we ask: Are we doing right by our employees? Are we providing them options and opportunities? How about our neighbors? Our community? Our children?
Economic sustainability is about the business making a profit in the long-term– without causing social or environmental problems.

Why Is Sustainability Important?

Sustainability isn’t just about us. It’s important for building a future that works for everyone.

But at the same time, it is about us.

Since timber is a natural resource that’s critical to Carolina Timberworks, we take environmental sustainability seriously. We strive to design and build long-lasting timber frame structures while remaining mindful of natural resources.

How Can Building Be More Sustainable?

As the global population continues to grow, more people need more places to live—which means it’s essential to make structures and construction processes greener. Watch this video to see how the way we build can be part of the climate change solution.

Here are a few of our ideas for making building more sustainable:

Design structures for minimal energy use. Begin by designing smaller structures that are better insulated, with better windows, and high-efficiency appliances and heat pumps. Then, produce as much of the building’s energy use as possible on site using solar or wind. Incorporate sustainable and renewable building materials like new or reclaimed timber and mass timber. Reduce the use of materials like concrete and steel that have a high embodied energy content. Finally, consider that remodeling an existing home, or adaptive reuse of an existing building, has a much lower embodied carbon footprint than building from scratch.
Increase the lifespan of buildings. Neither demolition nor new construction is particularly environmentally friendly. Good design can help with overcoming these challenges. How? Houses that are loved are maintained. Houses that are maintained can last a very long time (with care, timber frame structures can, and do, last for generations). And one more thing: large roof overhangs provide shade you’ll enjoy and protect your siding and walls from the effects of wind, rain, and sun.

large roof overhang — “The 6′ overhangs are one of our favorite things about the house” –Eric Morley

The Not-So-Big House. Build a smaller but better house for the same money. Reduce the square footage, and put the savings into better design, materials, and craftsmanship. In 2006, Sarah Susanka spoke at a Timber Framers Guild conference in Roanoke and we’ve been believers ever since.

We aim to make the timber frame structures we build more sustainable—from the materials to the lifespan. But you may be asking yourself if timber framing is sustainable. Our answer? Wood is the world’s most environmentally-friendly building material.

How Can We All Live More Sustainable Lives?

We think it’s important for everyone to do their part. That’s why we made the decision to add solar panels to the roof of our timber frame shop in West Jefferson, North Carolina. And you know what? It wasn’t that hard.

We’ll continue to do our part to make building more sustainable in North Carolina and beyond, and we plan to keep learning and evolving our practices. We intend to be part of the solution.

Timber Frame Construction

Are you curious about the history and the basics of timber frame construction? Let’s look at how this building method has withstood the test of time and why it may be the right choice for your next building project.

What is Timber Frame Construction?

What separates timber frame construction from other building methods? Timber framing doesn’t use concrete, metal, or mass-produced commodity pieces of lumber. Instead, timber frame structures are built with large, exposed timbers and wood-to-wood joinery.

The timber frame construction process starts with a design customized to meet the client’s plan, needs, and budget. After engineering the timber frame, timber is ordered, and detailed piece drawings are created, which our timber framers and/or CNC machine use to measure and cut each timber to exact specification.

Finally, we send all the pre-cut timber, hardware, and specialized timber framing tools to the building site. That’s where our crew will raise the timber frame and sometimes install the 2×6 tongue and groove roof decking and structural insulated panels (SIPs).

Timber Frame vs. Post and Beam Construction

Although it’s similar to timber framing, post and beam construction has some key differences. Both use posts (vertical timbers), beams (horizontal timbers), however, post and beam structures often use glulams, or structurally engineered laminated timber, while most classic timber frame structures use solid wood.

Additionally, post and beam construction often incorporates metal plates and other metal hardware. In contrast, timber frame construction utilizes traditional wood-to-wood joinery (often mortise & tenon) held together by stout wooden pegs.

Timber Frame vs. Log Cabin Construction

Timber frames are not a type of log home. That said, some log homes do incorporate timber framing–think timber frame roof trusses and/or front entries. The difference between a log home and a timber frame is how they’re built and the way they look. Log home walls are constructed from horizontally stacked logs (think of the Lincoln Logs you played with as a child).

Log home walls look unmistakably like log homes. It’s a rustic look, but in the right setting, it just seems to fit.

Log home in the Alps (Verbier, Switzerland)

Unlike log homes, timber frame (and post and beam) buildings are built with large horizontal beams and vertical posts to create a structural framework (think of the Erector or Tinker Toy set you played with as a child).

While log homes almost have a “preferred habitat”, timber frame and post and beam homes are great at blending in. The exterior of a timber frame home is indistinguishable from a conventional home–so it can be brick, or siding, or stone. Once inside, the gorgeous timber frame structure is revealed, and the interior walls can be anything you’d like them to be–from sheetrock, to brick, to painted nickel gap shiplap paneling.

Timber Frame vs. Conventional Construction

Unlike timber framing, conventional construction requires load-bearing walls and relies on nails to connect small pieces of lumber (think 2x4s). Conventionally built structures also use spray foam or batt fiberglass insulation instead of the high performance SIPs that typically enclose a full timber frame structure.

A Brief History of Timber Frame Construction

Hardly a new type of construction, timber framing has existed for millennia. Over the centuries, skilled craftsmen have constructed barns, homes, inns, businesses, and even massive factories using timber framing in areas as far flung as England and Japan.

In the United States, timber frame construction experienced a decline late in the 19th century. With the invention of mass-produced nails, steam-powered sawmills, and the demand for more housing (as the population pushed west) came conventional balloon framing, which was later superseded by platform framing (pictured above).

However, a 20th-century revival brought timber framing back to the forefront. Today, there’s a growing demand for this building method, thanks primarily to the visual appeal of timber framing, but also due to the passionate and dedicated men and women who practice and grow the craft.

Women in construction — Timber framers aren’t all male, nor do they only use chisels and mallets…

Timber Frame Terms You Should Know

Timber frame raising: This timber frame tradition refers to the process of erecting a frame. For centuries, a timber frame raising has been a cause for celebration. Today, we continue to celebrate the hard work that goes into a new or restored timber frame structure.
SIP: Structural insulated panels wrap timber frame structures in a blanket of high-performance insulation. They’re known for shrinking utility bills and their ability to create a cozy indoor environment.
Joinery: Timber frame construction relies on wood-to-wood joinery. Most structures use mortise and tenon joints to connect posts and beams.

Trusses: Timber frame trusses are triangular frames made from heavy timber. Trusses provide structural support for timber frame roofs and can also serve a decorative function.

Looking for a quick guide to timber frame terms? Our Timber Frame Glossary breaks down the key phrases you’ll encounter in a project.

What Are the Benefits of Timber Frame Construction?

There are so many reasons to appreciate timber framing. Here are some of the biggest benefits:

Aesthetic Appeal

A timber frame is more than a mere structure. It’s also an experience. The exposed wood framework evokes a sense of being close to nature, eliciting on some level a secure, grounded feeling (after all, you can see exactly what is holding up the roof and walls).

Many timber frame owners also enjoy the varied ceiling heights, long diagonal views, and wide open spaces these structure provide, as there’s often no need for load-bearing interior partition walls.

Sustainability

Wood is the only renewable building resources we have. Think about that. Everything else depends on using up something. While necessary, concrete, steel, and plastics require huge amounts of energy (and resulting CO2 emissions) to make. And unlike 2x4s or particleboard, at the end of the building’s life, nobody is going to throw the timbers from a timber frame into a dumpster. Wood, if kept dry, will last centuries, and the new timbers from your timber frame will one day become tomorrow’s prized antique timber and almost certainly salvaged and reused for other projects—making timber framing highly sustainable.

Durability

Timber frame structures are known for their ability to withstand snow, wind, storms, and other severe weather. That’s because the joinery and timber sizes are designed for the loads (take time to thank an engineer’s mother) and because of another one of wood’s wonderful characteristics: elasticity. Just like people, wood bends and gives a bit under load.

Timber frame engineering — (please forgive the nerdy engineering humor)

Finally, since timber frame buildings are often loved, they’re usually well-maintained, and houses that are maintained can (and do) endure for centuries.

Versatility

Timber frame structures work beautifully in either residential or commercial settings—and they can easily be multi-purpose structures. For example, you can use a timber frame barn for equipment storage most of the time, pull out the New Holland baler and that pile of barn boards you’re going to get around to cleaning up one of these days, and transform it into a wedding venue anytime your best friend decides to get hitched (again).

What Can You Build With Timber Frame Construction?

From custom homes and barns to gazebos and pavilions, we’ve got quite a few ideas for timber frame projects:

Businesses: More and more businesses are timber framed because they make really nice places to work, and visit.
Gazebos and Pavilions: Ideal for anything from hosting parties to relaxing with the family, gazebos and pavilions make being outside even better.
Barns: Whether you need a space to house animals, store equipment, or entertain guests, a timber frame barn is a beautiful and versatile space.
Carport: A timber frame carport can be much more than a shelter for your vehicles. In nice weather, it can also double as an outdoor entertainment pavilion.
Want More Ideas? A collection of cool timber frame dreams and ideas that are still stuck on paper…

Do you have a timber frame project in mind in North Carolina or somewhere else in the United States? Browse our portfolio to see more examples of our work or contact us to talk about your design idea. We’re nice!

Timber Frame Building

Here’s the thing about timber frame building: it might be the perfect construction method. After all, the origins of timber framing date back nearly 2,000 years—and the basic elements haven’t changed much over nearly two millennia. Today, timber framing still features wood-to-wood joinery, much like centuries-old homes and temples in locations as varied as England and Japan.

How have timber frame buildings withstood the test of time? Let’s look at the basics of this building method and the types of structures that fit best with timber framing.

What is a Timber Frame Building?

From classic barns to custom homes to rustic pavilions, timber frame buildings come in all shapes and sizes. Here are a few of our favorites:

For centuries, timber frame barns have provided shelter and created storage space. They’re still popular today, whether you need them for a practical purpose like equipment storage or you’d rather use them for an entertainment space like a party barn.

Timber frame pavilions are great for making outdoor space more usable. Whether they stand tall or span a single story, they can provide much-needed shade or create a much-loved space for family and friends to gather.

Another multipurpose structure, a timber frame carport can protect vehicles and equipment from the elements. It can also serve as a space for outdoor entertainment, similar to an open pavilion or gazebo.

Timber Frame Building: The Basics

What are the defining elements of a timber frame structure? Most buildings include these key components:

Timber Frame Trusses

With their distinctive triangular shapes, timber frame trusses form the framework and provide essential support for this type of structure. They can be quite large, with some spanning up to 60 feet. They also come in a wide range of styles, from classic king post trusses to more complex hammer beam timber frame bents.

Timber Frame Joints

Eastern White Pine Timber Frame mortise and tenon joint

Like trusses, timber frame joints also vary widely in terms of appearance and functionality. From traditional mortise and tenon joints to scarf joints to knee brace joints, all connect heavy timber with wood-to-wood joinery and without the need for metal plates.

Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs)

SIPs feature two wooden panels with a layer of insulating foam sandwiched in between. They enclose a timber frame building tightly, providing outstanding protection from the elements and other pests. They also tend to be more energy-efficient than conventional alternatives, making timber framing more sustainable.

Post and Beam vs. Timber Framing

Post and beam buildings are similar to timber frame structures in that both use heavy timber. However, there are key differences between the two. Post and beam construction often uses simpler joinery and typically relies on metal plates and/or hardware for structural purposes.

Why Timber Frame Buildings Withstand the Test of Time

With their heavy timber and wood-to-wood joinery, timber frame buildings are designed to last. The many historic timber structures that are still standing today are testaments to the longevity of this building method.

When you build a timber frame home or cabin today, you can take extra steps to ensure that it lasts as long as possible. The most important step? A roof in good condition. Houses that are well-maintained can last indefinitely. Finally, keeping the indoor humidity level of around 50% is ideal for preventing timber from drying out too quickly and helping it retain its shape without excessive twisting or cracking.

At Carolina Timberworks, we believe in the beauty and longevity of timber framing. Take a look at our timber frame portfolio to see some of the buildings we’ve raised over the years and learn more about why this method can last for generations to come.

Learn More: Our Timber Frame Glossary

Timber Frame Truss Design: A How to Guide

The sexiest TFEC* report ever.

When a timber frame truss is designed as a collaboration between a talented architect, an experienced timber engineer, and an experienced timber framer, the result is often a work of art.

There are two ways of doing things: the right way, and again.

Here’s the right way to get the most out of timber frame truss design:

Read this report to learn the unknown unknowns (the things you don’t know you don’t know)
Hire an experienced timber engineer (here)

read

* Timber Frame Engineering Council

Do not attempt to design a timber roof truss without adult supervision from a qualified professional. The Timber Frame Engineering Council, the Timber Framers Guild, and Carolina Timberworks assume no liability for the use or misuse of this document.

How We Use Timber Framing Tools

When you admire the majestic beamwork and intricate joinery of a timber frame structure, you might wonder just what it takes to build something like that. Although it’s possible to lay out and cut a timber frame with surprisingly few tools (pencil, square, string line, chisel, mallet, saw, and drill), it’s easier and faster to use specific timber frame tools. Most of these “timber frame” tools would be familiar to any woodworker—but they’re much larger versions.

The first power tools most new timber frame companies acquire are a (large) circular saw and a chain mortiser. These two tools do a lot of work (and make a lot of sawdust), quickly. From there, the sky’s the limit—up to state-of-the-art, 6-axis computer-controlled timber frame joinery cutting machines.

So what’s in our timber frame shop in North Carolina? We compiled a list of our team’s preferred timber framing tools so you get a better sense of how we build timber frames—or so you can put together your own tool set.

Our Timber Frame Tools Guide

Timber Frame Layout Tools

Timber Framing Square

A framing square, also known as a carpenter’s square, is an essential timber frame layout tool for measuring and marking angles. Despite its name, a framing square typically has an L shape—but some variations may be square.

The L shape features a wider and longer side (body) that meets the shorter and thinner side (tongue) to create a perfect 90-degree angle (at least until it’s dropped—AKA the concrete kiss). The sides also act as rulers and have scribed notches that indicate measurements.

We appreciate the versatility of framing squares, and in addition to using them daily to lay out and check angles and lines on timbers, we also use them as straightedges and winding sticks among other uses.

Combination Square

Combination squares are similar to framing squares in that the long flat arm acts as a ruler. However, combination squares also have adjustable heads that slide along the ruler. These components can include a simple fence for 90-degree angles, adjustable knobs to transfer measurements, bubble levels for measuring level and plumb, or protractor heads to change the ruler to any angle between 0 and 180 degrees.

If you need to measure something, simply move the adjustable head to the specific measurement you need from the end of the ruler. We like to use combination squares for any project that requires measuring depth and squareness of adjacent surfaces such as mortise depth. By setting a specific measurement along the ruler, the combination square can speed up joinery layout for repetitive measurements.

Block Plane

Block planes are small and versatile tools that can smooth the end grain of timber. Since the blade is set at a low angle, it performs this job better than a standard woodworking plane. These planes are great for beveling the edges of tenons on timber joinery.

Timber Framing Hand Tools

Framing Chisel

A framing chisel is a handheld tool that can cut or shape timber joinery. These longer and more robust chisels typically have a 1- to 2-inch blade width. When pushed by hand or struck with a mallet, they can cut almost any type of joinery. Either way, when using a framing chisel, you aim for a close, precise cut.

Timber Frame Mallet

Mallets and chisels go hand in hand, as we use the former to strike the latter. A good mallet is neither too heavy nor too light. We look for well-balanced mallets designed to minimize impact when striking the chisel. Dense wood makes a better mallet head than metal as it transfers all of the driving force through to the chisel, without splitting or damaging the chisel handle.

Hand Saw

Hand saws can come in many variations and can cut any type of wood. Some timber framers prefer a Japanese hand saw, which cuts on a pull stroke, while others prefer a western-style hand saw that cuts on a push stroke. We often prefer to cut with hand saws instead of electric saws for more control over finer details and small cuts.

Power Tools

Power Saw

Electric saws are similar to hand saws, but with built-in electrical motors for power. Some timber framers cut material using chainsaws, circular saws, or bandsaws (with metal guides and long blades):

Chainsaws can do the rough work of segmenting longer timbers into smaller pieces.
Circular saws do most of the cross and rip cuts for timber joinery.
Bandsaws are preferred for long radius cuts like curves in knee braces or arches.

Chain Mortiser

Chain mortisers cut recessed “pockets” into timbers. Like a chainsaw, this tool has a rotating toothed chain that removes material from the timber to create the mortise. Because mortise and tenon joinery is integral to timber framing, this is one of our most used tools. This work was previously done in two steps by drilling and chisel work, but is now much faster with this specialized type of tool.

Chain Slotters

Similar to chain mortisers, chain slotters cut narrow “slots” into timber. This specialized timber frame tool is more precise than a chainsaw, although it is less common than a chain mortiser.

Drilling Stations

Also known as a drill press, a drilling station is an alternative to a portable drill. This setup has an adjustable drill table, as well as a base and pillar to keep the drill stationary. A clamp keeps smaller timbers in place, allowing for more accurate drilling.

Unlike handheld drills, drilling stations offer larger and more powerful motors that can speed up any repetitive processes and improve efficiency for larger projects or mass produced timber components. There are also portable drill presses that can be clamped to large timbers when moving the tool is more efficient than moving the timber.

Planers and Sanders

Electric or power planers are mechanized versions of block planes in that they can quickly remove, even, and smooth out the surface of the wood.

We typically opt for power planers when working with large timbers. Similar to planers, sanders smooth out imperfections and provide a softer finish using a rough or fine grit sandpaper disc or belt.

Routers and Notchers

Routers and notchers make grooves in the surface or certain profiles along the edge of timber components. A router can use a variety of differently shaped bits to create various decorative effects. We also rely on routers to create housings or notches for some specialized timber frame joints.

Oversized Timbe Frame Tools

Hundegger ROBOT-Drive CNC Machine

By this point, you can likely tell that timber framers have a tool addiction problem. In photography, it’s known as GAS (Gear Acquisition Syndrome)—pity the spouses of timber framers who also dabble in photography.

Craftsmen have always looked for the best tools for timber framing to execute their craft, and for us, that means robotics: state-of-the-art, CNC (computer numeric control), timber framing machines.

These machines offer speed, precision, reliable delivery times, and sustainability.

Reliable delivery times because the software tells us, in advance, how many hours it’s going to take to cut a job—so we can schedule our workflow in the shop very precisely.
And sustainability, because the software optimizes every cut—to get the most out of a given timber with the least possible waste.

These machines are a fusion of old-world craftsmanship and new-world technology, combining the best of the nineteenth century with the best of the twenty-first.

The 6-minute video below tells the story of a radical investment Carolina Timberworks made. It’s radical for two reasons:

There’s an inherent conflict with our passionate 16-year commitment to hand-cut traditional timber framing.
The cost of the investment is significant.

Carolina Timberworks 2.0 from Carolina Timberworks on Vimeo.

The story of why we did it is here.

We’re not giving up traditional craftsmanship—in fact we’re growing and plan to hire even more craftspeople. And whether or not you’re a timber framer, we think you’ll agree that there’s something truly mesmerizing about watching our Hundegger in action.

Why You Should Visit Your Timber Frame Company

“A truly invaluable experience.”

“I hope you encourage all your future clients to come to your shop.”

In Their Words

The trip to visit the Carolina Timberworks shop was the highlight of our project thus far! We were simply blown away by the whole experience. Even just driving to your beautiful shop through the gorgeous mountain environment with the leaves changing and stunning vistas around every corner.

Driving up to the shop for the first time, quite impressive, understated and perfectly done to create the right environment exuding the extraordinary craftsmanship inside. First Impressions: Safe, Clean, Orderly and filled with incredibly focused craftsmen working busily inside and out shaping our beautiful South Carolina Southern Yellow Pine Beams, custom cut from trees on our land, years before. They are now coming to life right before our eyes! Every one of your customers must take advantage of a visit like to this to see this happen. To see and feel the emotion and even the smell of the wood, while these talented men create extremely difficult precision joinery. Unreal experience!

Each one of your craftsmen were so polite and engaging as we communicated with them. Obviously very proud of what they are doing and eager to share the particular things they were doing.

A truly invaluable experience for us all.

How to interview a timber frame company

Ask someone who builds timber frames for a living what makes their company different, and you’re likely to hear some variation on the theme of high quality, responsive service and talented people. Their answer may be truthful, but if you want an enjoyable experience, you haven’t learned what you need to know to make an informed decision. So how exactly do you do that?

While You’re Here

With 5 peaks over 5,000′, 10 acres per inhabitant, a jet-capable airport, the North and South Forks of the New River, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and the picture postcard perfect town of West Jefferson, North Carolina, you’ll want to leave some extra time to explore the area. Here’s a list of some of our favorite things to do while you’re in town.

Learn More