Post and beam is a type of construction in which vertical members (posts) are connected by horizontal members (beams) to create the structural framework of a building. The posts and beams can be wood, steel, concrete, plywood, laminated solid wood or any other suitable material. The pieces are connected with any number of methods - screws, nails, through-bolts, or joist hangers. Timber framing, on the other hand, refers to a specific type of post and beam construction in which solid wood timbers are joined by means of traditional wooden joinery: mortise and tenon, dovetails, and scarf’s secured with hardwood pegs.
The beams are joined together with a "mortise" (the hole) and "tenon" (the tongue) held in place by wooden pegs. Timber frames are famous for their strength, which make them the strongest form of construction using wood. |