Learn to Timber Frame: Craftsmanship, Simplicity, Timeless Beauty

by Will Beemer, Jack A. Sobon (foreword)

The first guide to timber framing written specifically for beginners! Expert Will Beemer takes you through the entire process from start to finish, beginning with timber sourcing and ending with a finished building. Using full-color photos, detailed drawings, and clear step-by-step instructions, Beemer shows you exactly how to build one small (12ʹ x 16ʹ) timber-frame structure — suitable for use as a cabin, workshop, or studio. He also explains how to modify the structure to suit your needs and location by adding a loft, moving doors or windows, changing the roof pitch, or making the frame larger or smaller. You’ll end up with a beautiful building as well as solid timber-framing skills that you can use for a lifetime.

Genres: Woodwork, Reference, Construction, Nonfiction, Architecture, Crafts

192 pages, Paperback

First published April 19, 2016

Reviews

[Ben · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m nowhere close to timber framing a building but this is the friendliest possible guide.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Could you build a timber frame building from this book? I think if you're a handy person you could. Fabrication for each member of a 12'x16' cabin is described plus ways to add a loft and increase the size. Tools and techniques are well covered, even covers making heavy duty sawhorses and the use of carts and rollers to move around those heavy chunks of wood. The authors specify the snow load and other design parameters but point out that building codes vary nationwide, so check out your local code enforcers first to make sure you can build it.

Sadly in California the answer is probably no, wood to wood structural joints are not allowed for these big pieces and I'm not sure if adding shear panels would be enough. You would need plans designed for earthquake country.

A fun read, I'd envy folks on the east coast if they didn't have that whole snow thing going on.

[Leyla Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a very easy to understand and well illustrated book on building a timber frame. I am but a humble woman, with a little experience in woodwork, but I marvel at the workmanship that is explained in this book - no easy screw and nail joins here, but proper mortise, tenons, dovetail and other joins. This building is a work of art, and will probably withstand whatever weather is thrown at it. It is lovely to see craftsmanship such as this passed on to the next generation - yes it takes longer, yes it requires patience but the end result is fabulous.
This book was provide free in return for a honest and unbiased review

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.

Learn to Timber Frame is a very well organized and understandable tutorial guide for planning and building timber framed structures written by Will Beemer. Originally released in 2016, this reformat and re-release is due out 21st Jan 2025 from Hachette on their Storey imprint. It's 192 pages and will be available in paperback and ebook formats. (Other earlier edition available in hardcover).

Especially during and after covid, given the frenetic pace under which most of us are forced to live our lives, reconnecting with handwork and having something tangible to show for our efforts is a huge and important source of mental and physical health. This author really *gets* that, and does a great job of making the theory and process of timber framing a basic structure accessible to most readers. It's full of information and people with some "handy" experience should be able to create a small timber framed structure with the information and illustrations contained in the book.

The author does a good job of presenting the basics: design, tools, safety, layout systems, cutting and layout, a *full* step by step tutorial to a small build, variations on the design, raising a frame, and foundations & enclosing the building frame.

The author and publisher have also included an abbreviated resources and links list (slanted toward readers in North America), as well as a glossary, bibliography, and cross referenced index. The book is beautifully photographed in color throughout.

Five stars. It would make an excellent choice for public or secondary school library acquisition, for a handyperson's reference library, or possibly for activity or community gardening/self sufficiency groups.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

[Randal White · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always been fascinated by the process of "timber framing". For those that don't know timber framing is the use of wood members that are 5 inches by 5 inches or greater. As opposed to normal house framing, done with lumber with dimensions of 2x4, or 2x6. Timber framing is also different in that it doesn't use nails, but instead makes joints (like a mortise and tenon) that are joined with wooden pins. You could dismantle a timber frame house and put it up in a different location. Many of you may have seen timber framing done by the traditional Amish.
Beemer does a good job of explaining what timber framing is, the process of how it is done, the tools used, and the costs. He starts at the beginning and proceeds in a logical and clear format. He even gets into the engineering and science of the practice.
Loved the illustrated joint details and the construction of them. Very well done.
Beemer even constructs a 12' x 16' timber frame shed/house as a project for the book. He goes into great detail about how it is done. And it's an impressive sight when it is done!
I'm not sure, at my age, that I could do this anymore, but it sure was fun living vicariously through the author as he built the structure. It's rapidly becoming a lost art, and I'm happy that people like Beemer are keeping the craft alive.
I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley, in return for a honest review. BUT....even though I will (probably) never build a timber frame structure, I will be ordering a hard copy of the book for days when I want to daydream!

[Desiree · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great for Beginners!

This book lays out the basics of of fingerprinting in a way that's digestible a and clear. I've just finished milling the wood for my project and about to star framing with and experienced friend. Reading this has definitely given me more confidence!

[Palvaee Aleksey · Rating 5 out of 5]

the best book of structural design

For those curious minds who want to learn skills build framing , roof . What are different parts of structures called . How to ensure those structures are reliable . This is the best book that answers that .

[David Albert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great introduction to timber framing methods with enough detail to actually start a project. I didn't even mind all the plot holes.

[Nathan Freisthler · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading, you just need a couple grand and an unreasonable amount of confidence.
✅✅

[Will G · Rating 4 out of 5]

All I have to do now is fuck it up several times.

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very thorough and detailed

So inspiring. Really enjoyed the discussion of the specific joinery methods for various structural members. It’s such a cool way to build.

[Nicole Shepard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn’t anticipate enjoying this book as much as I did. It’s part how-to part ode to the largely lost art form that provides one with a home. Excellent read.

[Phillip Sawyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great primer to learn the art of timber framing. Accessible and easy to understand, the book lays out plans to build a basic cabin with lots of variations possible. Good for beginners with lots of photos and illustrations.

[Du · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars. This was a fun but was not too practical or accessible for me. It is well worth checking out to learn different construction styles that have evolved in Home Building. Great illustrations and pictures really help move this topic forward and make it desirable to flip through.

[bibliotekker Holman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written and well illustrated, this is a must if you want step by step techniques for timber framing. Very cool DIY book.

[Brian Remer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book for beginners. Now maybe I can understand the more complicated book I found first. Easy writing style and lots of pictures. Includes actual plans for a timber frame shed so they can talk about specifics and not just generalities. At the same time, they provide quite a bit of the underlying concepts that could help with any project. It was informative AND enjoyable, not a combination that often appears in this sort of book.