Traditional barns are typically complimented by wheeled sliding doors. I constructed two such doors to fit the opening and added functional hardware that is also handsome.
The upper portion of the truss was constructed with half lap joints secured with lag screws like the previous long sides. However, for this portion, the posts were NOT attached. Because of the overhang of the gable end, the completed truss could not be tilted up as is typical. Using my tractor, I was able to raise the top portion of the truss to meet the overhang and used temporary “keepers” to prevent the assembly from falling over.
Once the rafters of the truss made contact with the gable overhang, I then installed the four posts, while my tractor carried the load. Angle brackets were then installed to keep the truss standing without attachment to the building.
What have I achieved with all this effort? Not one thing functionally - - except the doors. Still, I find myself satisfied with my work, admiring the beauty of the ill-fated ash trees, and appreciating the impression of timber frame architecture. Was it worth it? I say yes. Once I achieved food and shelter, almost everything else here at Hosta Alley is about esthetic beauty. My pursuit of this beauty and the peaceful satisfaction it gives me during my garden walks justifies all time, cost, and effort.
Completed Gable End
Any timber harvested here on the place will ultimately rot if not protected from the elements. The overhang of the shop roof provides considerable water protection for timber, allowing the wood to dry out after rain. A good stain preservative is also required. The shop is approximately 50’ long and 20’ wide. My vision was to install timbered assemblies on the two long sides and a more elaborate assembly on the west gable end. To make efficient use of the available timber supply, the post and beam timbers are milled 4” x 8” while the 45˚ braces are 4” x 6”. Cutting the standing trees, transporting them to the mill, and performing the necessary cuts on the logs is a major aspect of the project.
For the side walls a makeshift winching system was used to lift the beams to contact the soffit (at the roof eaves). Each beam was notched (half lapped) to accommodate the posts and each succeeding beam. Once the beam was raised to make contact with the soffit, a post with its corresponding half lap was cut to length and pressed into its mating joint. This joint was secured with heavy lag screws. Thereafter, the next beam was raised and its supporting post installed (in order) until the 50 feet length was completed. A truss on the opposite side of the building was constructed in like fashion.
The braces are all the same length and half lapped at the ends to establish a 45˚ support between each post and beam. An individual brace was temporarily held in place and the required pocket “pencil-traced” on the post and beam. Cutting out those pockets with an auger and chisel was quite laborious and time consuming. Ultimately, each individual brace fits its specific location and lag screws hold it in place. The edges of each brace were softened with a round over bit and left “proud” one inch above the face of each post & beam to offer distinctiveness. Nothing is attached to the building itself. Angle brackets are installed to prevent the assembly from falling outward.
The gable end of the building was considerably more complicated. This design required four posts and a large 4”x 10” x 20’ main beam. Because the original building was not accurately constructed, I first created a template using 1”x 6” pieces to capture the actual shape of the gable end. Thereafter, I used the template as a guide for constructing the timbered truss.
The Timber Frame Facade
Another project here titled The Shack, discusses my original one room home built over 40 years ago. Since then I have erected several buildings using timber-frame construction. The original, simple pole barn stood alone as the anomaly (though a pole barn is certainly a first cousin to timber framing).
The invasion of the non-indigenous Emerald Ash Borer inspired a project looking for an application, utilizing my dead and dying ash trees. Ultimately, I conceived a project that I call The Timber Frame Façade. The idea was to apply a non-load bearing timbered structure to the outside of the building so it visually coordinates with our home and other garden buildings.
Front Rear