Traditional Timber Frames - your questions answered

Traditional Timber Framing is a craft that involves the jointing of large section timbers (with the use of pegged mortice and tenon joinery) to form a structural frame for a building. This system has been used for centuries throughout the world with some of the most beautiful ancient buildings still standing as a testament to the trade.

What timbers do you use?

Answer

Traditionally in Britain and Europe, Oak has been the main timber used for framing, thanks largely to its strength and durability. In Australia we don’t have Oak but we have a wide range of timbers that are equally suitable.
When choosing a timber, ideally it is best to have some of the following features;
Strength:	The timber must be strong enough to support both the building and the joinery
Durability:	If the timber is going to be exposed to the elements it must be durable
Stability:	As we use large section unseasoned timber as it dries it will tend to shrink and move. Some timbers will have minimal drying movement while some have quite a lot.
Workability:	Ideally for the carpenter it is best if the timber is nice to work with, but we are able to work with difficult timbers also.
Sustainability:	We only use timbers that come from well managed sources. We often used salvaged timbers from unwanted or fallen trees, and are able to use curved and twisted logs that would normally be discarded.
With all that said, cost plays a factor also and the 2 basic alternatives for a frame are hardwood, or softwood. For our softwood frames we prefer to use Cypress Macrocarpa or the native white cypress Callitirs Glaucophylla. And for hardwood frames we can use a few different timbers including Ironbark, Grey gum, Blackbutt, various Stringybarks, depending on the application and the availability. All our timbers are Australian grown and sourced as locally as possible.

Is the timber used ‘Green’?

Answer

Yes. Most of the timbers in a traditional frame are used unseasoned, and allowed to dry in situ. As the timber dries out over the years there will be some movement, and joints may open or twist a little, which adds to the natural beauty of a timber frame. Thanks to the joinery design which has evolved over hundreds of years the frame actually gets stronger and stronger over time. There are some members in the frame which need to be seasoned though such as the braces and the pegs.

How are the joints secured?

Answer

The timbers are mostly jointed using mortice and tenon joinery which are then secured with riven hardwood pegs. Each peg is handmade to provide maximum strength and when they are driven into the joint they pull the tenon tight into the mortice.

Does the timber need treatment?

Answer

No. We only use timbers with good natural durability. It is better to protect less durable timbers with good building design rather than use chemical preservatives. It is possible to give the frame an oil or similar finish to enhance the natural beauty and colours of the timber but if the timber is left exposed outside it will simply weather to a lovely silvery grey.

Do you make the frames on site?

Answer

We make our frames at our workshop in the Southern Highlands of NSW, and then take them to site for raising, wherever that may be. Our on site time is very minimal as all of the joinery is done in the workshop, and a complete frame would typically be raised in a couple of days.

Do your frames comply with Building Regulations?

Answer

Absolutely. While our frames are outside the scope of the modern ‘Timber Framing Code AS1684’ they are designed based on principles that have been tried and tested over hundreds of years. Our frame designs are fully engineer certified which can then be submitted to the relevant authorities for construction approval.

How much does it cost?

Answer

Each of our frames are custom designed to suit the particular project, so the costs will vary from job to job.We work with our clients to design a frame that suits their budget and lifestyle. A large amount of the cost is in the joinery detail, so if the frame design is kept fairly simple it can be very cost effective or it can be highly detailed and ornate, which will obviously carry a higher cost. In comparison to other building methods a Traditional Timber Frame is very competitive, and being completely handcrafted and unique is definitely worth the investment.