Flying Terms

It seems as if wood joinery terms fly on the air at Vermont Timber Works even after the guys have taken pencils from ears and the doors have closed for the night. Consequently, I cannot help but learn a few terms myself, though I resist. (I'm in bookkeeping.) Here's my wood joinery repertoire...so far anyway:



Tongue (Now there's an easy one! It looks like a tongue.)


Shoulder (It's much like a human shoulder, well, one that will never rotate, ever again, once joined.)

Mort - Mortise and Tenon (How does one remember which part is the mortise and which is the tenon??? How many times have I asked Sandy? She's my source for anything 'shop' because she doesn't roll her eyes or sit back in her chair with an impatient expression when I ask dumb questions. Although, if I ask which is mortise and which is tenon, one more time, Sandy might clobber me or at least think me mentally deficient.


So I've devised a method. I think Mortimer instead of mortise, and I know that 'ol Mort has a hole in his head because that's how I picture him. Poor 'ol Mort.)




Dovetail (Easy. It describes itself perfectly. I, however, would have named this joinery, fishtail. But I can remember either.)





Doublemort (Just double poor 'ol Mort.)




Our web page on joinery demonstrates these terms in timber photos, and Wikipedia offers a detailed picture on wood joinery. It's a great page.

I guess that wasn't too painful. I might learn a few more terms. Let them fly!

Timber Frames of ALL Kinds...

From custom designed timber frame homes to post and beam horse barns, Vermont Timber Works is ready to build for you.


Need a timber pavilion? How about something designed in douglas fir timbers and steel joinery?


Our Citizen's Park Playground Project is certainly worth a look. Don't you agree?


Whether you are looking for a big, small, complex, or simple timber frame structure, a hand crafted product is always a good idea. And hand crafted is what you will always get from Vermont Timber Works. Always! 802-886-1917

Timber Frames

Timber frames are some of the most interesting and distinct structures in the world. If you have been thinking of creating a post and beam frame of your own, you already know that the number of options available are endless.

When considering companies to work with on your new timber frame, there are many important factors to keep in mind. Depending on the level of detail you require, there are different ways to cut a timber frame. Vermont Timber Works still cuts every piece of our work by hand. Our post and beam components are hand crafted in our shop in North Springfield, VT.

We also offer more than 20 years of experience in designing, engineering, and erecting timber frames all over the country. By maintaining a strictly customized approach to timber framing, we can offer a level of detail and personalized care to your frame that will not find anywhere else. Post and beam structures are our passion, and we think it shows in our work. Please visit our website and view some of our projects.

The New Guy

Being the new person at VTW has been a little easier than I was first expecting. The people in the office, and the timber framers out on the production floor have been great to work with. Having done sales, and having worked in the heavy timber business before, there seems to be this friendly atmosphere with the people who work in this field. Maybe it just takes a special person to hand hew a beam, or cut a mortise and tenon joint by hand, or help a client visualize what their Great Room will look like. Right know I am just trying to take in all the knowledge that I can, and enjoy the great atmosphere that is here everyday when you walk through the doors at VTW.

Timber Framing in Autumn in Vermont...

Timber Framing in Vermont in Autumn...it's really tough to take the view. Don't you think so?

As the leaves change color and fall to the ground, our Vermont Timber Works crew is very busy. We are wrapping up a custom designed horse barn to be raised in Rockingham, VT. Hemlock timbers were chosen, do you know why?

Horses tend not to chew hemlock timbers as much as other wood species.

Foliage photo's are stunning and are courtesy of our very own Megan (thank you).

Timber Framing in the fall

What a great time of year to be erecting your barn or your timber frame house. With the fall colors so bright, and the air so crisp, it is nice to live in New England. Watching your home being erected with the timbers, and trusses all being connected to give you the post & beam home that you have always wanted. Now all that is left to do is to sit in your Great Room, and wait until next fall.

Timber Frame Barn Raising

Timber Frame Barn Raising in Auburn, PA. Designed, hand crafted, assembled and raised by Vermont Timber Works, Inc.