Fox Maple School of Traditional Building

Timber Frames for Sale

Each year we cut numerous frames in our workshops. Some are constructed at the school site as permanent addiditons to our infrastructure, serving also as models of timber framing systems and joinery design, while others are sold to past students or passersby after the fact. We are inclined not to presell the frames as our motive is to teach joinery and design concepts and to promote creativity. This, more often than not, leads to design changes during the process of the workshop prompted by the students as they begin to develop their own understanding of the sublte (and not so subtle) elements of design. Having these frames pre-sold, we believe, would hinder our flexibility and our students creativity. However, we undoubtably cut more frames than we can use each year and now and again they begin to add up. At this time we have 2 frames that could use a good home. Scroll down to view an isometric plan and brief description of each frame.

While these frames are cut by students, the quality of joinery is at a very high level. Each of these frames were cut and erected in workshops. After dismantleing, they have been fine tuned, sanded, oiled and packed ready for shipping. These frames are being sold as ready-to-assemble packages and come with detailed framing plans. All timbers are clearly marked for ease of assembly and raising. Anybody with basic building skills and common sense should be capable of assembling and raising these frames with just a few people. In most cases a crane will be necessary.

For more information about any of the frames listed below, please send us an email specifying which frame is of interest. We will promptly return an email with specific details and prices.

22'x32' Hammerbeam Cape

This is a white pine frame with oak braces. The frame is clear span and is designed to accommodate a second floor loft in one bay with a cathedral bay dominated by the hammerbeam bent. The loft floor system is not included as it was not a part of the workshop, however, we can supply the loft floor timbers or completed system if requested, or we can supply the desgn details and you can cut the floor system on your own. The roof pitch is 12/12 and the posts are 10' plus, which can be cut to accommodate your needs and the first floor system design. This could be placed on a concrete slab, or a conventional floor frame system. The sills shown in this drawing are only to give sense of scale, and are not included in the frame. This frame would make a comfortable cottage, or a nice workshop space.

20'x32' Hammerbeam Cape/Saltbox

This frame is a mix of white pine, recycled douglas fir and oak braces. The saltbox section and plates are white pine and the hammerbeam bent is cut from recycled douglas fir timbers. The plan is designed to have a second floor loft in the Saltbox bay and cathedral ceiling in the hammerbeam bay. The loft floor system is not included, however we can supply this if requested. In this frame the tall posts are 12' plus tall, and the short posts 8' plus. As in all of the frames shown above, the sill members are not included as part of the frame package, as these are included in the drawing only to give a sense of balance. Post are also left longer than specified to accommodate a variety of post to sill/foundation details.