The Timber Framing Book

The Timber Framing Book, Elliot Stewart, 169 pages

The definitive manual of timber frame construction. Stewart touches on the history of timber framing, as well as the aspects that make it appealing to some homebuilders today (longevity, sturdiness, fire resistance, ease of high-performance insulation, reduced wastage, support of traditional handicrafts), but the majority of the book focuses on the techniques of timber framing: how to cut mortises and tenons to retain structural integrity, as well as a few other basic joints, how to design, measure, and hang rafters, and how to raise the frame – the most exciting part of any timber frame construction. The last chapter actually provides complete plans for a 12’x 16’ shed, to build yourself. The book can be rather dry (it is definitely a manual) but perhaps would have been less so if I had been physically following along the techniques, working on my own timber frame.