Last Mountain Timber

A Better Way to Build

Decorative Timber Framing

Examples: Gable End Details, Decorative Truss Details, Gable end Brackets, Ceiling Trusses, Ceiling Rafters, Coffered ceiling Timbers
 
Interior
To be clear, when we build a timber truss, it is a unit built as a self-supporting structure sized and suited for its installation. We term it as decorative based on its installed situation. For example, in the instances where we build a truss and hang it from conventional stick-built framing, we call this decorative.
 
Many of our clients choose to add interior timber to achieve the timber frame look.  In order to hang solid timber from 2x framing, the framing must be strengthened or tied together for easy installation of decorative solid timberwork. This is called blocking.
 
The situations where there is not adequate blocking for a solid timber addition, or you are doing a renovation and do not want to open the whole ceiling for adding in blocking, this is when we shift to box beams.  
 
Another great way to add timber to a home is to insert two posts and top them with a beam between rooms in your home. In these situations blocking may be required in the floor with our posts supporting the solid timber beam.
 
Exterior 
We build many timber accents to add to Gable ends on the exterior of a home to mimic the look of Timber framing.  As these instances require our truss to be hung from the framing, we take into consideration the weight of the timber and help you plan for your specific installation situation. When we size gable end trusses, we don’t like to go too small and most often use 3×7 or 5×7 sizing depending on the span.
 
Notes on Truss Style
In the gallery below, we have a photo of a simple truss where all members are straight and square.  We have labelled the pieces for you to see our “lingo”: Collar Tie, King Post, Struts and Rafters. This is the Classic Truss, there are many different styles that incorporate arched struts or arched collar ties.  You can also see examples of Scissor Collar Tie Trusses that two of our clients chose for their full Timber frames.