Welcome to Vermont...

If you're driving North on I-91, just inside of the Vermont Border, you will notice the Vermont Welcome Center.




This is one of my favorite projects from Vermont Timber Works.

The Main Building is a hand hewn Easten White Pine Timber Frame, and the Picnic Shelter and Information Crib are of hand hewn White Oak.

(Picnic Shelter)



(Information Crib)



Inside, you will find that the Center is set up like a mini-museum with displays and trivial tidbits about Vermont. There are also computer stations that link to various Chambers of Commerce.
You'll find informative brochures and helpful hints on making your Vermont Visit an unforgettable one. Of course, there is information about Vermont Timber Works readily available.



These next picture show the roof rafters being flown in by the crane, and the frame coming together in the final stages of the raising.





This frame has generated a variety of calls from Passers-by.
Travelers will stop to stretch at the Welcome Center, and will later call Vermont Timber Works to inquire about perhaps obtaining a Timber Frame for themselves.

The quality is undeniably top-shelf, and the Timber Frame is as welcoming as the Center it's housing.

If you're in the neighborhood, stop and see for yourself.
You may decide to call and get an estimate for YOUR next project.


(Vermont Timber Works Crew Members Sold Seperately!)

Season's Greetings...

...from the whole crew.

The staff at Vermont Timber Works would like to wish everyone a safe and Happy Holiday Season.

Although extremely busy with a myriad of projects, we want to stop and thank all of those who have made this year another successful one for us. From our valued Clients, to our faithful suppliers, we couldn't have done it without you.

If you've always dreamt about building with Heavy Timber, or even adding some decorative beams to your existing home, Vermont Timber Works can make those dreams come true.

Check out our website at www.vermonttimberworks.com

Contact us today for a free brochure or estimate.

We'd be more than happy to welcome you into the family of satisfied clientel.

Happy Holidays!

Decking the Halls.....

Or the walls, or the ceiling, or wherever else you so desire.......

With a product like this, it's going to be beautiful, no matter where you use it.

These photos are of a delivery of Solid White Pine Tongue and Groove Decking that was shipped to Vermont Timber Works.

Although Vermont Timber Works does not install the decking, we offer our sourcing and supplying services to our clients.

A good example of what using wood decking on a ceiling would be the Hawthorne Suites Hotel in Burlington, VT. It just wouldn't look the same if it were finished with sheetrock.

You be the judge.

Test your Timber Framing IQ

Who's up for a little Post and Beam Brainteaser?

Don't worry, it's a blog- you won't be graded, and nobody will have a clue what your answers were. This is just for fun.

Before I started at Vermont Timber Works, I probaly wouldn't have done very well.

Ready?

1) What is the most common type of joinery used in timber framing?

a. Nail and Peg

b. Mortise and Tenon

c. Tenon and Peg

If you answered b, Mortise and Tenon, give yourself a round of applause. This type of joint is used to fasten connectors, posts, collar ties, struts, etc.

2) What is a SLICK used for?

a. To coat the timbers with an oily substance before milling

b. To hoist the timbers from the ground during the erection process

c. To clean the surface of a Hand Hewn Beam

C is the correct answer. A SLICK is used to clean the surface of a beam after it's been hand hewn. Hand Hewing is making notches in the wood by individual hard blows of a heavy cutting tool, such as an adze or chisel. Hand hewn timbers offer a very traditional look.

3) What wood species is the STRONGEST of the following?

a. Hemlock

b. Western Red Cedar

c. Douglas Fir

Did you say Hemlock? If so, you were not correct.

The correct answer is Douglas Fir. We get our Douglas Fir from the West Coast. Our Timber is always #1 Grade or Better, unless otherwise specified.

.

So how did you do?

Are you an expert in the field? Or do you need to brush up on your Timber Framing Knowledge?

Take a look at this website: http://www.vermonttimberworks.com/

I'm sure you'll find all the answers you need, and if not, please contact our office and we'll send you additional information or a brochure.

Study Hard. The next round will be more challenging!.

Star of Bethlehem?

No...Not quite.

Shining example of our craftsmanship?

We like to think so.

The Picture above is the view of the Timber Framed Cupola, looking straight up from the alter of the Bethlehem Monastery of the Poor Clares in Barhamsville, VA.

This cupola was flown in with a crane, and the top of the structure reaches about 45' high.

This cupola is just one small detail in this intricate frame. This 3D rendering of the Monastery shows the complexity of the project from the inside out.

After the rasing, it's amazing how the drawings seem to come alive.

This frame is made of Douglas Fir, and consists of over 31,000 board feet of Heavy Timber.

The Joinery is mostly of traditional style Mortise and Tenon, with some steel as required.

Both the interior of the Sanctuary

and the Alter area show Arched Beams that add so much character and unique detail to this beautiful building.

The finished product is nothing short of amazing.

Although not a celestial body, or a navigational beacon, a Timber Frame from Vermont Timber Works is the BRIGHTEST idea of all.

A Horse is a Horse, Of Course- Of Course.....

But it's a LUCKY Horse who gets to reside in a Barn like THIS!

This is the Osprey Horse Barn on Martha's Vineyard. It's a custom designed Barn of Rough Sawn Hemlock Timbers and Traditional Mortise and Tenon Joinery.

* Did you know that when building a Horse Barn, it's best to use Hemlock, as for some reason, it's the one type of wood the horses don't like to nibble on?

Even the hay loft is a post and beam masterpiece. But if the horses are spoiled enough to live in such a beautiful barn, I guess we would only expect the food storage to be top "notch"...(No wood related pun intended).

The weather outside is frightful....

But this Timber Frame is so delightful-

Forget vivsions of Sugar Plums- why not dream about something even sweeter? Like the thought of being surrounded daily by a beautiful post and beam home? A place where the Sugar Plums will dream of visiting, and perhaps staying a little longer this year.

The Schmidt Werks Residence in Darien, CT. is a fine example of the exquisite handiwork produced by Vermont Timber Works.

This Hand Hewn Eastern White Pine Timber Frame with Traditional Mortise and Tenon Joinery was featured on the cover of House Beautiful Magazine.

So in your letter to Santa this year, why not ask him to bring you what you REALLY want?

He'll know where to fill your request. After all, Vermont Timber Works is Santa's OTHER workshop.

Happy Holidays!