The Nuts & Bolts of Timber Framing

Post and beam structures are still in demand by owners and architects who like the look of heavy exposed timbers. Subcontractors specializing in traditional hand-tooled mortise-and-tenon joinery are scarce, however, and the method is so labor-intensive that costs are often prohibitive. One option is a pre-cut kit. But most of these won’t provide a partial frame, so contractors looking to add an exposed beam roof or ceiling to a standard home are out of luck. Those tempted to do the work themselves are often unsure of their ability to handle the large timbers and hand joinery. For most, it’s a risky business. Peter Ferick and Richard Becken recognized the problem and applied their building and manufacturing experience toward the development