Timber-Frame Home (Hardcover)

~ (Author) "There are two important challenges for those who build timber-frame homes today..." (more)
Key Phrases: extended baseboard, compound joinery, midspan plates, Getting Out of the Ground, Middle Ages, New England (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Built for modern lifestyles, today's timber-frame homes feature open spaces, durable craftsmanship, and an accent on comfort. This book provides a comprehensive reference to timber-frame house design, written by one of the nation's foremost builders of this type of house. 145 color photos. 130 drawings.

From the Back Cover

Two decades ago, Tedd Benson helped kindle the dramatic rebirth of timer framing in this country. Today Benson and others are combining centuries-old timber-framing techniques with modern building materials to create houses that are as beautiful as they are durable and comfortable. In this book, Benson traces the history of the timber frame and tells how to create a new house in the tradition of old-world craftsmen. This new edtiion brings the latest advances in timber framing to life with hundreds of full-color photos and rendered drawings - all the information you need to join the timber-frame revival.

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Product Details Hardcover: 240 pages Publisher: Taunton Press; 2 edition (March 20, 1997) Language: English ISBN-10: 1561581291 ISBN-13: 978-1561581290 Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.9 x 0.9 inches Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies) Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews) Amazon.com Sales Rank: #331,282 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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› Visit Amazon's Tedd Benson Page

Front Cover | Front Flap | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Flap | Back Cover | Surprise Me!

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Inside This Book (learn more)

First Sentence:
There are two important challenges for those who build timber-frame homes today. Read the first page

Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
extended baseboard, compound joinery, midspan plates, bent girt, wire chase, stair header, receiving timber, end embellishments, connecting girts, sloped soffit, principal purlin, eave plates, common purlins, glazing tape, plumbing areas, solar south, panel splines, stud system, baseboard cover, principal rafters, plumbing chase, timber sill, timber framers, common rafters, summer beams

Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Getting Out of the Ground, Middle Ages, New England, Sarah Knock, Bill Holtz, Bob Gere, Colonial Americans, Great Buddha Hall, Westminster Hall

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Front Cover | Front Flap | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Flap | Back Cover | Surprise Me!

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Citations (learn more)

This book cites 19 books:

• The Natural House by Frank Lloyd Wright on page 92, and Back Matter
• American Houses by Philip Langdon in Back Matter
• Domesday Book (Penguin Classic): A Complete Translation (Penguin Classics) by G. Martin on page 9
• Wooden Houses by Makoto Suzuki in Back Matter
• Roots of Contemporary American Architecture: A Series of Thirty Seven Essays Dating from the Mid-Nineteenth Century to the Present by Lewis Mumford in Back Matter

See all 19 books this book cites

 

6 books cite this book:

• Build a Classic Timber-Framed House: Planning & Design/Traditional Materials/Affordable Methods by Jack A. Sobon in Back Matter
• Building Your Own Home For Dummies by Kevin Daum on page 73
• Fundamentals of Residential Construction by Edward Allen on page 515
• Inventing Modern: Growing up with X-Rays, Skyscrapers, and Tailfins by John H. Lienhard IV in Back Matter
• Fundamentals of Residential Construction by Edward Allen on page 563

See all 6 books citing this book

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Books on Related Topics (learn more)

Architectural Graphic Standards, Tenth Edition by Charles George Ramsey

Discusses:

• compound joinery
• bent girt
• wire chase

Building with Structural Insulated Panels by Michael Morley

Discusses:

• wire chase
• plumbing chase
• timber framers

Everyday Architecture of the Mid-Atlantic by Gabrielle M. Lanier

Discusses:

• principal purlin
• principal rafters
• common rafters

Interior Graphic Standards by Kelsey Kruse

Discusses:

• wire chase
• glazing tape
• plumbing chase

Timber Frame Construction by Jack A. Sobon

Discusses:

• common purlins
• timber framers
• summer beams

Architectural Graphic Standards for Residential Construction by The American Institute of Architects

Discusses:

• compound joinery
• bent girt
• wire chase

Architectural Graphic Standards, Tenth Edition by Charles George Ramsey Discusses: compound joinery bent girt wire chase Building with Structural Insulated Panels by Michael Morley Discusses: wire chase plumbing chase timber framers Everyday Architecture of the Mid-Atlantic by Gabrielle M. Lanier Discusses: principal purlin principal rafters common rafters Interior Graphic Standards by Kelsey Kruse Discusses: wire chase glazing tape plumbing chase Loading...

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What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

	59% buy the item featured on this page: Timber-Frame Home 4.5 out of 5 stars (13) $25.51
	14% buy A Timber Framer's Workshop: Joinery, Design & Construction of Traditional Timber Frames 4.6 out of 5 stars (11) $27.00
	12% buy Building the Timber Frame House: The Revival of a Forgotten Art 4.8 out of 5 stars (12) $16.38
	8% buy Timberframe: The Art and Craft of the Post-and-Beam Home 4.0 out of 5 stars (6) $19.77

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Customer Reviews

13 Reviews 5 star:  (9) 4 star:  (2) 3 star:  (1) 2 star:  (1) 1 star:    (0)           Average Customer Review 4.5 out of 5 stars (13 customer reviews)		Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews 54 of 54 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars An honest and complete, June 8, 2000 By  Irvin Kanode (Tempe, AZ USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)    This is by far the best of several books I purchased on building timber frame homes. I started with a list of questions about shrinkage, sound proofing, electrical, plumbing, etc. and found clear concise answers to all of them through text, drawings, and photos. I trust experts (like this author) who talk about the mistakes they've made and show me how to avoid them. He presents options and if you decide to pick the lower rated ones, he describes the likely consequences and how to minimize them. 57 of 59 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars great resource, December 23, 1999 By  bob (harrisville nh) - See all my reviews This book is an excellent guide to the craft of timberframing and complete house design and finishing. I have just finished building my own red oak timber framed house in Tedds back yard here in New Hampshire and found many valuable hints and tips throughout this book, especially liked the sections on plumbing and wiring which can be a challenge in a timber frame house. I also agree with another reviewer that the quality of the book is excellent and deserves a place on your coffe table for guests to peruse. To top it all off Tedd is a very honorable and genuine person who espouses the inherent charms of living in a well crafted timber frame house better than any other books or articles I have read on the subject. Every day in my new home is a real delight and I never get tired of viewing the fine joinery throughout the house. Benson Woodworking also has an excellent web site to examine much of the steps in building a timber frame house. Also for those of you who enjoy the photos in this book , Tedd has a brand new book out showing dozens of homes they have built in the past in beautiful photographic form. 37 of 38 people found the following review helpful: 4.0 out of 5 stars My how we all change, November 28, 1999 By  George T ONeil, III (The "Quiet Corner" of Connecticut) - See all my reviews Back in 1980 Tedd Benson wrote a book on the same subject. It was more of a "do-it-yourself" book yet I liked it because it was a bit idealistic. In the present case The Timber-Frame Home takes the concept to another level. I liked reading the book for the following reasons: historical perspective and framework, detailed technical discussion of why, how, when and lots of great photo's of the projects being discussed. The historical evolution of the "Timber-Frame Home" gave me a great reference and perspective on the subject discussed by the author. From the discussion in the text it is clear that Mr. Benson has extensive experience in building timber frame homes. Another reason I liked the book was the "philosophical" perspective injected by the author. Mr. Benson takes a "holistic" approach to discussion and building. The synergy and interdependence of the home and the environment are emphasized through the building elements discussed resulting in a total perspective, not a one-dimensional view so often encountered in construction books. Overall my opinion is that this is a well written, well documented, thoroughly researched and pleasant read. I would recommend it to anyone thinking of building a timber-frame home or seeking to learn about this rediscovered building technique. An added benefit is that when your done reading the book you can leave it on the coffee table for others to look over!		Ad feedback   Most Recent Customer Reviews 5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent resource for the modern timber frame home I first read Benson's "Building the Timber Frame House" which is an older book with excellent drawings and diagrams explaining the many ways that one can make strong joints in... Read more Published 4 months ago by Reviewer 2.0 out of 5 stars Coffee table book. I bought this thinking it would have information for builders but it turned out to be a large and expensive brochure for the author's timber frame company. Read more Published 9 months ago by John Prokos 5.0 out of 5 stars Great book Great book with a good mix of design fundamentals and modern building techniques. If you want to build a drafty old timber-frame barn, look else where. Read more Published 10 months ago by T. Herzog 4.0 out of 5 stars Inspirational and Useful This wonderful book provided the inspiration and encouragement to use the methods described to build a timber frame structure. Read more Published 13 months ago by Peter Bassney 5.0 out of 5 stars An idea book This is a great book. Either you are about to build a home and considering a timberframe, in which case the book is backed with useful information, or you are like me, and... Read more Published 16 months ago by Michael P. Quinn 5.0 out of 5 stars Great homes After reading the book I concluded I have zero hope of building one and I need to contact the author to build it for me. Brilliant brouchure for his company. Read more Published on February 7, 2007 by Mr. Judgemental 3.0 out of 5 stars A book about very, very big houses This book contains wonderful pictures of homes that are mostly 5,000 sq ft and larger. With one exception it completely ignores fine smaller timberframe homes. Read more Published on February 4, 2003 5.0 out of 5 stars A Must if you are thinking of building a Timber Frame Whether you are going to act as general contractor, or hire it all out, this book is a great over view of all of the aspects of building a Timber Frame. Read more Published on August 5, 2001 by Ray & Joann Jones 5.0 out of 5 stars Most COMPLETE, Most UP TO DATE Although I had just started my search for Timber Frames when I came across this book, I still am constantly refering to it for insightful information. Read more Published on September 18, 1998 5.0 out of 5 stars A timbesaurus This is a wonderful book about timber frames. As an architect i can say this book is perfect from every aspects. Complete and understandable for every kind of readers. Read more Published on October 23, 1997 Search Customer Reviews Only search this product's reviews

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Taunton Press; 2 edition (March 20, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1561581291
• ISBN-13: 978-1561581290
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #331,282 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

54 of 54 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An honest and complete, June 8, 2000

By	Irvin Kanode (Tempe, AZ USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is by far the best of several books I purchased on building timber frame homes. I started with a list of questions about shrinkage, sound proofing, electrical, plumbing, etc. and found clear concise answers to all of them through text, drawings, and photos.

I trust experts (like this author) who talk about the mistakes they've made and show me how to avoid them. He presents options and if you decide to pick the lower rated ones, he describes the likely consequences and how to minimize them.

57 of 59 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars great resource, December 23, 1999

By	bob (harrisville nh) - See all my reviews

This book is an excellent guide to the craft of timberframing and complete house design and finishing. I have just finished building my own red oak timber framed house in Tedds back yard here in New Hampshire and found many valuable hints and tips throughout this book, especially liked the sections on plumbing and wiring which can be a challenge in a timber frame house. I also agree with another reviewer that the quality of the book is excellent and deserves a place on your coffe table for guests to peruse. To top it all off Tedd is a very honorable and genuine person who espouses the inherent charms of living in a well crafted timber frame house better than any other books or articles I have read on the subject. Every day in my new home is a real delight and I never get tired of viewing the fine joinery throughout the house. Benson Woodworking also has an excellent web site to examine much of the steps in building a timber frame house. Also for those of you who enjoy the photos in this book , Tedd has a brand new book out showing dozens of homes they have built in the past in beautiful photographic form.

37 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars My how we all change, November 28, 1999

By	George T ONeil, III (The "Quiet Corner" of Connecticut) - See all my reviews

Back in 1980 Tedd Benson wrote a book on the same subject. It was more of a "do-it-yourself" book yet I liked it because it was a bit idealistic. In the present case The Timber-Frame Home takes the concept to another level. I liked reading the book for the following reasons: historical perspective and framework, detailed technical discussion of why, how, when and lots of great photo's of the projects being discussed.

The historical evolution of the "Timber-Frame Home" gave me a great reference and perspective on the subject discussed by the author. From the discussion in the text it is clear that Mr. Benson has extensive experience in building timber frame homes. Another reason I liked the book was the "philosophical" perspective injected by the author. Mr. Benson takes a "holistic" approach to discussion and building. The synergy and interdependence of the home and the environment are emphasized through the building elements discussed resulting in a total perspective, not a one-dimensional view so often encountered in construction books.

Overall my opinion is that this is a well written, well documented, thoroughly researched and pleasant read. I would recommend it to anyone thinking of building a timber-frame home or seeking to learn about this rediscovered building technique. An added benefit is that when your done reading the book you can leave it on the coffee table for others to look over!