from Natural Life magazine, July/August
2009
The Art of Timber Framing
by Rolf Priesnitz
 Timber
framing or post and beam, as it’s also known, is a traditional style of
construction that is making a comeback. That’s because it creates buildings that
are strong, sustainable and full of character. In Europe and North America,
there are many timber frame structures – homes, churches and barns – that are
centuries old. We’ve even heard of a timber frame temple in Japan that was
apparently built 1300 years ago.
Timber framing is a simple but elegant building system
consisting of large wooden posts and beams that fit together with traditional
interlocking mortise and tenon joinery and are secured with wooden pegs rather
than nails. The pegs act as a locking mechanism with the joints of the timbers,
so that when the frame of the house is assembled on-site, the only element
holding the entire structure together is wood. Once the structure is assembled,
the walls are completed by in-filling between the wooden structural members with
natural building materials such as straw, cob, cordwood or planed wood, or by
wrapping the structure with insulation and siding, which creates a tight
building envelope.
The post and beam framework supports the roof by transferring
roof loads to principal posts and onto the foundation of the building,
eliminating the need for load-bearing interior partition walls. The result is a
strong, self-supporting timber structure with open living spaces, which are easy
to heat and cool, and an abundance of energy-saving natural light. A timber
frame is structurally stronger than conventional wood construction and uses less
wood. It can also employ recycled timbers from other homes and barns.
Some in the green building community don’t feel that timber
framing is completely environmentally friendly due to its use of wood. However,
some critics admit that since it has been recognized and approved by most
building code authorities, it is a way of approaching a natural building project
that might otherwise have difficulty getting permits. Others point out that the
use of natural timbers, as compared to brick, concrete or other fabricated
products, can considerably reduce...
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Rolf Priesnitz is Natural Life magazine's co-found
and Publisher. He also has over 40 experience in the construction industry.
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