Friday, April 26, 2013

Timber Trusses

Glulam trusses
 Here at Vermont Timber Works we specialize in custom timber frames.  We often receive requests from clients to build the trusses here at our facility and ship them assembled.


Arch Trusses
 This provides an excellent opportunity to have your roof system in place in a very short period of time.

Timber Brackets
Douglas fir Truss
 If the geometry of the truss allows, we could build the trusses here in our shop...

Oak Scissor Truss
 Put them on a tractor trailer already assembled...

Loaded trailer ready to roll

 And the trusses are ready for installation!

King Post Truss

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Glulam Timber Framing




We just had a visit from our glulam supplier today.  He works with us to provide the exact grade, layup, species, curve, and any other spec regarding the glulam required for the project.  There are a lot of things to consider when deciding on what you want in your glulam.  What sort of a load will be required?  Will you want the material to be pressure treated or not?  Is the glue to be clear?  What species do you prefer?

Based on all of these questions we will work with you to get you the glulam that you are after.  We have a custom steel fabricator here in VT with whom we've worked on many projects.  We will draw your steel, and he will make it so that the whole operation is seamless.

Give us a call to discuss your glulam project!

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

The Timber Framing Process

Truss Sketch
We receive a lot of calls about projects, so I thought I'd run through the process of what you should expect.  Because we are a custom shop each project has its own individual requirements, depending on what the client would like to see for final finish in their timber frame, what the engineering and design requirements are, local ordinance demands, and budgetary considerations, among other factors. 

The first step is for us to understand exactly what the client wants for a frame.  Our estimator will do a sketch (similar to the one above) to be sure that we have the geometry, roof slope, and dimensions correct.

Once we have agreed on the final design, we will order the material, which arrives on site wrapped to protect it from the elements during shipping.

Glulam packages brought inside

Next we lay out the timbers based on the drawings that have been approved by the client and his or her architect and engineer.

Arches ready for layout
Layout of glulams

Once the timbers have been layed out, the fabrication begins.  We have a team of skilled craftsmen who are experts with timber frame tools.  They check each piece to ensure that it is correctly oriented in the building and cut it according to the prints. 

Timbers being checked for accuracy

Glulam slotted for knife plate
After the timbers have been fabricated they are cleaned and stained by our competent finish crew.
Cleaning timbers with wire wheel

Staining timbers


Once the timbers have been stained and dried on our racks, we put the timbers together in a package for shipment.

Truck being loaded for delivery
The truck is loaded with the timbers, or trusses pre-assembled here in our shop, and shipped directly to the job site.