Just "Checking"....

If you've ever been into a Timber Framed Building, be it a home, a church, a school, etc., you may have noticed the different areas where the frame appears to have CRACKED. This is NOT because the wood species chosen was less than perfect, or because it was damaged during installation. Wood is a natural product, and this process called "checking" is normal, and to be expected.

A "Check" is a long crack that appears as the sap wood of a timber shrinks around the heart wood over time.
Checking is not a structural problem, and usually occurs only on one or two sides of a beam. Oak, however, can have surface checks everywhere, which many people feel add to the beautiful rustic appearance of a timber frame.

Other than the appearance of these "cracks", you may notice that certain areas of the wood seem to be seperating, or pulling away from each other.

Shake is the separation of the rings in a piece of wood that occurs as it dries. The wood can also 'peel' off around the rings, similar to the layers of an onion.

I hope this has helped give you a better understanding of why a Timber frame may appear to be less than perfect, but if it was built by Vermont Timber Works, please rest assured that it is as perfect as can be.

That's Entertainment....

Inside of almost everyone,there is a desire to surround yourself with good friends, good food, good music, and good clean fun. But if you are anything like me, you find yourself wishing you could empty the contents of your home to allow for a large enough area to entertain all of your friends and family at once.

Jack Sands of Dublin, NH, a previous client of Vermont Timber Works had just the right idea: "Why not build a Party Barn"?

This barn was built with Heavy Timbers that weathered outsied of our shop for 6 months to create an antique look. It appears as though the barn has been standing there for years.

While mingling with friends and family, Jack is also surrounded by the beautiful quality craftsmanship of a custom built Timber Frame, a timeless conversation piece of its own.

Now THAT'S Entertainment.

Decorating with a twist.....

It seems that this time of year brings about an innate desire to Decorate...
Cornucopias over-flowing with gourds and festive accents, Giant Globes containing Penguins and waving Santas, Icicle lights on every house for miles.

While in the spirit of decorating, why not adorn your room with something that will remain a conversation piece, year round, for the life of your home?

Decorative Timber Trusses can provide a classic showpiece for any building, while taking the look of the room to a different level- from simple to Chic in one fell swoop.

Recently, VTW installed some Decorative Trusses and some Red Pine Log Beams in a home on Lake Raponda in Southern Vermont. You will notice that the look of the ceiling would have been ordinary without the trusses and Pine Logs, but now- EXTRAORDINARY RESULTS!

Busy Busy!

After a relatively quiet summer here at Vermont Timber Works, the change of the seasons has brought about a change of pace.
Projects are coming out of the WOODWORK. (No pun intended.)

We are currently working on Spruce Camp, a resort lodge at Stowe, VT, Olana Wagon House in Hudson, NY, and a Private Residence in Lake Raponda, VT...to name a few.

Next up, we will erect an outdoor obsevatory building near Boston, MA called the Blue Hills Trailside Museum, and are preparing to ship a project as far as Bermuda.

As busy as we may be, we welcome new projects and the challenge of turning them around ahead of schedule.