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.

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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!.