Timber frame joinery is used to connect pieces of wood in timber frame structures. The most common types are mortise and tenon joints, lap joints, and dovetail joints. Europeans traditionally used a scribing technique for hand-cutting unique joints, while North Americans developed the square rule technique to allow repetitive cuts for larger barns. Modern timber frame companies either use machine-cut or hand-cut joints, but Woodhouse combines the accuracy of machine-cutting with hand-finishing for quality and appearance.

1. When it comes to homes, you cannot have woodworking without joinery. As the name
implies, it’s what holds one piece of wood to another. In conventional homes, nails hold
wood together and the system is hidden inside the walls. In timber frame homes, much of the
joinery is hidden in plain sight.
Timber framing, as a building system, has been around for thousands of years. Across the
world, many timber frame structures that were built centuries ago — homes, castles,
churches, inns, temples, and more — are still standing.
Of course, different cultures developed different timber building systems and timber experts
believe the differences between European and North American joinery techniques were
primarily influenced by the environment. North American settlers had relatively easy access
to very large timbers. Europe had run out of large timbers long before and developed joinery
that reflected how builders were compensating with smaller trees.
The choice of structure was different too, reflecting regional differences in lifestyle. While
Europe was using timber framing systems for a variety of structures, North American settlers
primarily used timber frame building systems to create wide-open barns. They modified the
frame to efficiently use the larger North American timber for bigger, more repetitious
buildings. We see this tradition continue even today in many of our “bent-based” frame
designs.
How Does Timber Frame Joinery Work?
Timber frame joinery is the intersection between two or more timbers for a strong and
aesthetically pleasing connection. There are many types of joinery used in a timber frame
structure. The three most common types of joinery used in timber or post and beam buildings
are:
Mortise and Tenon Joints

2. These joints have adjoining pieces that connect at an angle, which help transfer loads from
horizontal to vertical timbers (think of a peg going into a hole). This joint typically has a 45°
diagonal piece called a brace or strut that helps stabilize the beams. Because mortise and
tenon joints are pegged, they can be stronger than lap joints which use nails or screws.
Lap Joint

3. A joint made by halving the thickness of each timber at the joint and fitting them together
(think of them as overlapping). These joints are used on outside corners or where beams
intersect and are commonly nailed or screwed. You do not typically find lap joints used in
historical European structures because steel for nails was a limited resource.
Dovetails
This is a flaring lap joint. The dovetail flare tightly interlocks the two pieces of timber and
prevents them from slipping apart from one another. Dovetail joints are ideal for special
modifications and work well for a high-tension application. You typically would find this
joint at a collar tie or joist location.
Systems for Creating Joinery

4. Just as the type of timber frame structures vary between North America and Europe, so do the
systems for creating timber frame joinery. Europeans used a system called “scribing” where a
person holds up one timber to another and hand-cuts each piece for a perfect match. Because
all the joints are unique to the size of the timbers, they cannot be used interchangeably. North
Americans adapted a technique called “square rule” which makes the same cuts in many
locations. This allows for a repetitious build which erects bigger structures faster. A barn
raising is a classic, historic example of the square rule technique in application.
When it comes to a system for timber frame joinery in modern times, most timber frame
companies are split into two camps: machine-cut or hand-cut timbers. Woodhouse is a little
different because our system adopts the best features of each. We start with machine-cut
joinery to ensure accuracy and efficiency, which reflects in our competitive pricing. We are
also craftsmen. We hand-finish our joinery for the superior quality and beauty that you want
in your authentic timber frame home.
The result is a building system and application of craftsmanship that makes our structures
strong and appealing to the eye. Discover how we can personalize your home and floor plan
to your specific tastes. Find out how much your custom Woodhouse timber frame home will
cost with our Dream Home Budget Calculator. This is your year to begin your timber frame
house journey. Contact us and we’ll give you honest advice, help you explore your options,
and get you started.
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