Building the Timber Frame House: The Revival of a Forgotten Art [Paperback]

Tedd Benson (Author), Jamie Page (Illustrator), James Gruber (Collaborator)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 1981

For centuries, post-and-beam construction has proved to be one of the most durable building techniques. It is being enthusiastically revived today not only for its sturdiness but because it can be easily insulated, it is attractive, and it offers the builder the unique satisfaction of working with timbers. Building the Timber Frame House is the most comprehensive manual available on the technique. In it you will find a short history, of timber framing and a fully illustrated discussion of the different kinds of joinery, assembly of timbers, and raising of the frame. There are also detailed sections on present-day design and materials, house plans, site development, foundation laying, insulation, tools, and methods.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Boston Globe If you've been in an old barn and marveled at the great beams and posts, then you know what a timber frame is....Building the Timber Frame House...is a brilliant book on two levels, as a history and philosophical raison d'etre of timber-frame construction...and [as] a no-nonsense, how-to guide.

Building and Remodeling Instructions are so complete that if you have (or can command) basic carpentry skills, this could be your sole house-building source.

Popular Science A delightful handbook.

About the Author

Tedd Benson is the founder and owner of a post-and-beam construction firm in New Hampshire. A builder for ten years, he has specialized in timber framing for six.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 211 pages
• Publisher: Touchstone (September 1, 1981)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0684172860
• ISBN-13: 978-0684172866
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #160,903 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #40 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > How-to & Home Improvements > Home Design > House Plans

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

57 of 57 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding guidebook for building your own timberframe home, April 24, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Van Buren, AR) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Building the Timber Frame House: The Revival of a Forgotten Art (Paperback)

My wife and I built a hybrid timber frame home using this book as a guide. Although we have construction skills, this book was invaluable in guiding us through the process. We can't wait to build another. We highly recommend this book to anyone considering a timber frame house.

31 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My favorite Timber Framing Book, September 19, 2001

By 

Daiku "CB" (Minneapolis, Minnesota) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Building the Timber Frame House: The Revival of a Forgotten Art (Paperback)

Timber framing is my hobby, and I own several books on the subject, but this has always been my favorite. The how-to section is very thorough, and includes information on tools and techniques. The author's enthusiasm for the subject is what really makes the difference, though. The sections on history and woodworking are especially good. If a friend wanted to try timber framing, and asked me which book to buy first, I would pick this one without hesitation.

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book...early work on Timber Framing, October 11, 2005

By 

B. Rehart - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Building the Timber Frame House: The Revival of a Forgotten Art (Paperback)

This book is one of the classics on Timber Framing for those who want to get into this type of construction or build their own house. It is a very easy read. Though sometimes the author tends towards to much philosophy about life, construction and wood working.

This book has very useful sections on joinery, design, raising, engineering, load physics, etc. Very easy to understand even if, like me, you are not a professional carpenter, contractor or mechanical engineer. I know nothing of contracting or building and understood the whole book.

The book does not mention anything about Scribe Rule and Square Rule techniques and the differences between the two. These old techniques may not have been widely known when this book was written, although they were well known by early timber frame carpenters, before Timber Framing was replaced with cheaper, but faster Balloon Framing.

A book that does go into Square Rule in a more structured way and is equally easy to read is Buid a Classic Timber-Framed House, by Jack Sobon.