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.
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.
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