When purlins meet on the principal rafter, the timber framer needs to find a suitable joint that strikes the right balance – take too much out of either structural member and the roof might fail. No pressure there then….
The lightning scarf can be a good choice if the purlins are trenced down onto the principal rafters. It’s a classic scarf – a means of joining one timber to another along their length, and of course it’s also an opportunity not to be missed to show off with a bit of snazzy carpentry.
Here are a shoal (collective term?) of lightning scarfed purlins waiting for assembly in the workshop, and one joint temporarily pinned with podgers.
Jul-17-14 a las 8:40 am Jowl Post. Sin Comentarios
A post with a single “jowl” is a fairly common occurrence in timber framing (see our very first blog post about the English > Tying Joint ) but a double jowl? Does such a thing exist?
Well yes, although a rare and secretive species, double jowls have been spotted this side of the Welsh border. Usually found in small groups, here we have an example of 5 double jowl posts cosying up to each other.
The upper jowl or flare is designed to allow a tenon to insert into the tie beam whereas the lower jowl’s purpose is to add bearing support to a heavy floor beam. It also of course adds some beautiful curves to the whole structure which is never a bad thing.
If anyone ever comes across a triple jowl, please send me photographic proof!
Jul-09-14 a las 4:19 pm Uncategorized. Sin ComentariosIf you're considering an oak framed building (or larch, or douglas fir), let's talk. We'll gladly put together an outline quote (completely free, with no strings attached). And we need very little information from you to do so.
Equally, we're always here, at the end of the phone, to talk through your ideas.