Customer Reviews

Timber Framing for the Rest of Us: A Guide to Contemporary Post and Beam Construction

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Some great nuggets of info but fails to deliver the "How-to" that the title hints at. I was dissappointed and am now looking for a "cookbook" or "how-to" style book.

I can not recommend this book.

This book is written in a very easy to follow style. The concepts all come across as clearly and the illustations do. There is loads of informative content for the alternative builder who is concerned with incorporating natural building methods such as straw bale construction, cordwood masonry, and cob building into thier home. What makes this book stand apart from other texts on the subject is its emphasis on the use metal fasteners to achieve a strong well built frame. While most other timber framing books use joinery that requires a high degree of craftmanship this book uses simpler techniques that the non-professional can learn quickly. It is great for the "do-it-yourselfers" out there that want a book that makes sense! Highly recomended.

While this book does cover the general building process, I feel it does not go into enough detail. While talking about timbers and larger pieces of wood, the charts in the end are all for regular 2x wood. There are so many references to other works where info can be found, that the whole read felt like one large advertisement (many for the author's other publications). Needs more detailed sketches, diagrams, and important detail pictures, and less useless pictures taken from too far away to be useful.

Roy brings out new home building books every year, it seems. The last few years have seen major treatments of all his basic building strategies, timber, earth, log ends. The new books are handsomely produced, up to date, and comprehensive.

With timber frames there are several major threads. The uber domestic architecture movement, based largely on church architectural norms, very difficult to home build. The modernist post and beam thread, now out of favour; And the domestic level shorter post and beams method designed for home architecture. This book is mostly towards the latter thread, with additions as required. In other words, even a person working alone with modest tools can do these builds. (Other good books in this scale are Sobon's books that cover traditional settler forms for modern makers, and Mitchell's West Coats classic The Craft of Modular Post and Beam. Sobon's diverts from simplicity in favour of some of these older forms, and Mitchell in favour of West coast style, though they are both still practical)

Often the glaring omission in timber frame books is the lack of any engineering treatment of how to size beams. This is a major stuff where the fancy frames are concerned, but it is within the realm of possibility for simpler homes. Roy covers this ground simply, and it is essential stuff for anyone who wants to do some design work before talking to the local planing office or a professional architect. This chapter can be skipped, but ads to the comprehensiveness of the text for those in need of the information.

One doesn't have to be planing a house to use this book. Timber framing is a practical form for smaller buildings like sheds, workshops, picnic shelters. Due to their scale these structures can often be timber framed within the span of only a few posts and beams of dimensional lumber, saving money with an elegant approach, and increasing interior space.

Author did not use enough examples, really only sited building one structure. It was imformative though.

The book is very informative and helpful. Rob Roy's writing style makes it easy to follow. Not having any experience in building,(being female, that happens) I could still understand all of it, but a little background (even building a doghouse!) might have helped in truly getting the most out of the material.

Written by an author with more than thirty years of hands-on experience with timber framing, Timber Framing For The Rest Of Us is a simple home improvement guide to basic, practical methods for timber framing used by contractors, farmers, and owner-builders today. From procuring timbers of various woods or even recycled materials, to critical considerations of structure and design , to common fasteners, a detailed case study of a timber frame project, and much more, Timber Framing For The Rest Of Us is a superb guide for beginners who are ready to roll up their sleeves, do their homework, and enjoy the fruits of their hard-earned labors.

Though informative, and containing plenty of information regarding alternative methods of building, this book really lacks the traditional information regarding joinery and working without large numbers of fasteners, etc. The designs in this book rely on the use of large steel plates and brackets to help in the supporting of structures, and at that point it seems to depart sharply from the traditional methods of building. In point of fact, a structure containing traditional joints such as pegged mortise and tenons is stronger and more reliable. For people that are really interested in learning to make their own timber frame, or folks who are looking to use less store-bought materials and more craftsmanship in their build, consider looking into other sources that will guide you through the true-blue timber framing process. Sobon and Schroeder's book very nicely de-mystifies the process, and with a few well sharpened tools and a scrap 6 X 6 pine beam you'll be amazed what a little persistence and some elbow grease will accomplish.

This has been anounther great book! I have enjoyed all of this book and learned plenty from it. It has answered plenty of my questions. I believe this would be a great book for anyone. Rob Roy knows his stuff!!!

Mr Roy writes in a very understandable way. His books are both informative and entertaining. My plans for using timber framing in my next house have been finalized after reading this great book. Keep up the good work Mr. Roy.