Timber frame plans

[Danny Dimm]

I've been looking for some timber frame plans for a simple gambrel design. Aprox 30 x 50. Anyone I've contacted either dosen't sell just plans or hasn't returned my call. Would appreciate getting pointed in the right direction.

[maineframer]

Danny,

We operate a timber framing design/build company in Maine. I am sure that we could help you with any plans/drawings etc. that you would need. Send me a private e-mail if you would like to talk.

David Frankenfield
Kennebec Timber Framing

[ljmathias]

I bought a couple sets of plans from Grand Oaks TF- seem to be pretty good although I'm in the midst of the smaller workshop structure right now and won't try the home till spring sometime...

http://www.grandoakstimberframing.com/

LJ

[raycon]

The book
The timber frame planning book, Stewart Elliot.
Has the plans for a 30 x 40 Gambrel Barn. Its the details from the Tappan Barn,Newsbury MA
It would be about 20 sheets if you printed  it out. I could copy it to a PDF and email it later in the week inf interested.

[Danny Dimm]

That would be great, Raycon. And thanks to maineframe and ljmathias also.

[Thehardway]

Danny,

One would think timberframing and barns go together like hand and glove but this is not so with the gambrel barn, and perhaps thats is the reason that plans for a timberframe variety are not so readily available.  The gambrel roof barn actually was not popularized until after 1900. By this period sawn lumber and lightweight framing were becoming the mainstay of construction and the gambrel roof was a result of the dairy farm and lightweight framing revolution.  This is not to say that there were not roof conversions from European style roof to gambrel roof done on the original timber frames (it allowed more room for hay storage) or that traditional mortise and tenon joinery was not carried on by some barn builders well into the 1900's.  The Amish in many places still use traditional barn building methods in some areas.  You would likely find it easier to get a set of plans for a Queen Post English threshing barn, Dutch anchorbeam barn or even a late 1800's Purlin post bank barn completely in timberframe and then convert the roof to gambrel by either extending the posts and breaking the rafters and roof pitch over the posts, using some canted posts, or putting a traditional lightweight sawn lumber gambrel roof on top of the timber frame.  All of these options can be found in practice.  Just thought I might mention it for consideration in case the plans with Raycon don't work out to be what you wanted.

[raycon]

Why are gambrel roof not more popular?

Instead of going to the mill I'm sitting here thinking about frames with the truck idling in the yard. Timber frames with gambrel roofs or a bent or two were common in the 1700's. How many made it till today is a good question. We have a few here in town.

I agree more off the shelf designs exist for the popular truss designs king,queen,hammer etc.

  I was under the impression it was of European influence the gambrel roof (dutch/german).  Theres a smaller gambrel roofed frame in the book as well. This was for a home not barn (1712). Eric Sloanes book American Barns shows a few of the styles and what nationality influenced the design. 

[nsmike]

For an idea of how Gambrel Barns were done look at this site. http://www.terrasol.net/sections/inventoryCategory.php?intInventoryCategoryID=2 After looking at the two gambrel barns in inventory look on the completed projects page for more it might give you some ideas.
Mike

[Danny Dimm]

I found and ordered a copy of the timber framers planning book. If you ever need a book, check out abebooks.com. It's a canadian company that links used book store from all over the world. I've never been stumped and the shipping is usually more than the cost of the book.

[Thehardway]

Raycon,

The oldest Gambrel roofed barn on record in CT still standing was built in 1850 and is called the "Christmas Barn".  The houses you are refering too from the 1700's would be called "Dutch Colonial" houses and although they were built based on the same  "More space in the attic" functional concept the structural concept is fundamentally different.

  Form follows function and until Dairy farming and machinery became popular  in agricultural practice hay was not cut and stored in a barn loft.  There were alot of good reasons not too.  Fire probably being the most important.  Green hay in a barn has probably burned down more barns than any other single cause.

[rcolmansr60]

Danny,
Just be sure that who ever you hire to do the plans that they do it full time and not as a side line with many other ventures.

Been there, done that, bought the tee shirt.  just never got to wear it.......  Dick

[JGroebner]

I'm not sure who NSMike is, but I'm the Manager at Terrasol, I also have my degree in architecture and do all designs at our company with an in-house interior designer.  I LOVE gambrel roof barns (but they're not for everyone) as it allows some great mid-roof connections that also lend to some VERY unique interior spaces.  I start every design with a bubble diagram, as no one understands the needs of your home as much as you do.  I'm guessing you're already working with someone, but I'd be more than happy to spend a few hours in design with you (both 2-D & 3-D), just let me know.

Jared