Build a Classic Timber-Framed House: Planning and Design, Traditional Materials, Affordable Methods

From Booklist
Sobon outlines a unique craft that is part conventional furniture building, part home construction. In timber frame construction, there's a minimum of metal fasteners (nails, nuts, bolts, etc.), and wood is joined by many of the basic joints (for example, the mortise and tenon, the dovetail) traditionally used in making furniture. Knowing that one's home is put together by a variety of pins, slots, and notches may not be reassuring to most, but be assured that timber framing is an old technique that produces very solid structures. It does, however, require quite a lot of timber, since main beams, for instance, can be as much as eight-inches square; the various cuts must be made to rather close tolerances; and the way the timbers are harvested and sawn will have great effect on how they (and the building) respond when exposed to moisture and cold. Although the book's sample project and copious illustrations do enlighten the initiate, it's possible to come away feeling that a month-long class on the subject might provide a better education. Still, this is an excellent how-to. Jon Kartman


Book Description
The timber-framed home is attractive, affordable, and easily expanded to meet the needs of a growing family. With the step-by-step instructions in this book you can build your own classic timber-framed house -- one that's enduring, and features a level of craftsmanship rare in modern construction. Following the traditional "hall-and-parlor" home design, architect and builder Jack Sobon carefully and clearly explains finding the ideal building site; creating the master plan; selecting the best tree species; hewing and milling timbers; assembling the frame; installing wall sheathing, windows, and doors; designing and finishing the interior; expanding on the plan.

One of the best-known and most distinctive figures in the timber-framing revival, Jack Sobon knows how to make home building affordable with economical hand tools, by taking control of the processing of building materials, and through using local inexpensive supplies.

The basic house design of this book is easily adapted to meet different needs. Sobon's practical advice incorporates the latest knowledge on building a healthy house, integrating natural systems, and finding effective home heating solutions.


From the Back Cover
The timber-framed home is attractive, affordable, and easily expanded to meet the needs of a growing family. With the step-by-step instructions in this book you can build your own classic timber-framed house -- one that's enduring, and features a level of craftsmanship rare in modern construction. Following the traditional "hall-and-parlor" home design, architect and builder Jack Sobon carefully and clearly explains -- finding the ideal building site -- creating the master plan -- selecting the best tree species -- hewing and milling timbers -- assembling the frame -- installing wall sheathing, windows, and doors -- designing and finishing the interior -- expanding on the plan One of the best-known and most distinctive figures in the timber-framing revival, Jack Sobon knows how to make home building affordable with economical hand tools, by taking control of the processing of building materials, and through using local inexpensive supplies. The basic house design of this book is easily adapted to meet different needs. Sobon's practical advice incorporates the latest knowledge on building a healthy house, integrating natural systems, and finding effective home heating solutions.


About the Author
Currently a self-employed architect and builder of timber-framed buildings, co-author Jack A. Sobon holds a bachelor of architecture degree from the Rhode Island School of Design. He has also worked on barn moving and restoration for Richard W. Babcock, Inc. Jack has written Storey's Build a Classic Timber-Framed House. He has also been published in the Fine Homebuilding magazine. Jack, born in Adams, Massachusetts, is married and has a daughter. He has also co-authored Storey's Timber Frame Construction with Roger Schroeder, which is now in its twelfth printing, with nearly 50,000 copies in print. Their book has received praise from such publications as Popular Science: "A sprightly manual on post-and-beam building techniques, well-illustrated with sketches and photos. A tribute to joinery skills of that era before home building changed from a craft to an industry, this book will inspire you to tackle the tool shed for which plans are provided."


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While a timber-framed home might look like a typical stud-framed house from the outside, the two building systems are actually quite different. Timber-framed buildings have a skeleton of large wooden structural members connected to one another primarily by wood-on-wood joinery; timber framing isn't simply stacking big beams on top of big posts. This system is highly evolved, very traditional, and lends itself to affordable and practical techniques for the contemporary owner-builder or professional. The result is a home that is strong and graceful and - with the help of Jack Sobon's Build a Classic Timber-Framed House - economical as well. An architect and timber framer, Jack Sobon coauthored the still-popular Timber Frame Construction in the early 80s. Now he's written a timber framing book for the 90s and beyond: Build a Classic Timber-Framed House. He shows readers how to build an early American hall-and-parlor house that integrates modern American interests in passive solar heating, quality building techniques, masonry and wood stoves, and creating a healthy home. Most important, Jack Sobon proves that timber framing is affordable. With some time and interest and the help of his clear instructions and numerous illustrations, you can build your own timber frame - a home to make you feel proud and secure in its handsome strength. This book doesn't take a romantic look back at the "good old days." Build a Classic Timber-Framed House demonstrates that timber framing works for today and tomorrow by showing how to find affordable local supplies, process those supplies quickly and inexpensively, and use efficient and economical hand tools. Best of all, the hall-and-parlor house is designed to be expanded easily in the future for growing families and changing needs. It's all here, from finding the ideal building site to creating a master site plan. Build a Classic Timber-Framed House covers hewing and milling timbers, integrating electrical and plumbing systems, mak


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