The Capel Build Part 3 – Timber Frames

This is the third part of our second building project series on Skill Builder. The Capel Build sees carpenter and builder Robin Clevett renovate and extend an unusual property in Surrey. In this episode we look at the timber frames.

Robin has now taken delivery of the timber frame which was a day’s work in itself as some of the timber beams were huge. All of the timber came loose and everything was assembled on site.

Robin explains why it’s critical when building a timber frame home to set everything out perfectly and repeatedly checking everything, right from positioning the sole plates and checking the corners.

Robin is pleased with the quality of the timber frame as most of it fitted together perfectly. There were a couple of minor issues with four of the trusses but within 24hours or discovering the issues the manufacturer had made new ones, delivered them to the site and taken the old ones away so it didn’t hinder the build. The glue laminated beams were good fun. The joints were put together using a combination of Simpson Strong Tie products including the TUBSR Concealed Beam Hanger and the TU28 Concealed Beam Hanger which offer a completely invisible assembly.  It is a butt joint which will offend some purists who would like to see some tennons into those posts but the key thing is that it works and makes a strong joint.

Robin talks through some of the installation process which includes:

TU28 Concealed Beam Installation

  • Make a vertical notch in the joist end (width 6mm for TU12 and 9mm for TU16 to TU28),
  • Mark the position of the dowels on the joist before drilling holes – diameter of the hole according to the diameter of the dowel
  • Insert the top dowel in the joist
  • Route a  6mm deep pocket in either the joist end or the header. This is not compulsory, but is  improves the aesthetic of the connection making it tight to the post.
  • The hanger is screwed into the post and the joist is lowered onto the hanger.
  • Hammer in the stainless steel dowels

TUBSR Concealed Beam Installation

  1. Make a vertical notch in the joist end (width 6mm for TU12 and 9mm for TU16 to TU28),
  2. Mark the position of the dowels on the joist before drilling holes – diameter of the hole according to the diameter of the dowel
  3. Insert the top dowel in the joist
  4. Route a  6mm deep pocket in either the joist end or the header. This is not compulsory, it is used to improve the aesthetic of the connection
  5. Fix Install the joist onto the concealed beam hanger by hooking the joist onto the concealed beam hanger.  Top dowel hooks into slotted top hole on the concealed beam hanger.
  6. Install reamining dowels.the concealed beam hanger to the header with nails or screws

The next job for Robin is cutting the rafters and pitching the roof. Subscribe to the Skill Builder YouTube channel to stay up-to-date with this project.

About Roger Bisby

Roger Bisby is an English television presenter and journalist, known for his expertise in the British building industry.

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