name that Heavy Timber Truss Design # 1

Did you say King Post? If so, you are right!

King Post Trusses can be the most cost effective, and they look great. Even better when curved braces and webs are used. A king post truss solves some structural problems as well. The bottom chord acts as a tie for the room, holding the walls in. Depending on where you are located a king post roof truss may be able span 24 feet - 36 feet with 16 foot spacing between each one. We size all of our truss members for the exact region where they are being installed and we provide detailed shop drawings with our structural engineer’s stamp. Thanks PJZ.

Hand Hewn Arched Trusses for a Great Room...

Native white pine timbers were used to create this arched truss. Decorative in nature and hand hewn for that added rustic feel. We worked with Kais Custom Builders on this Katonah, NY residence.

The white pine hand hews the nicest, just ask Todd Jackson. He does most of our hand hewing and he does a great job.

Here is an example of our hand hewn white oak (below) it's much tougher to hand hew than the pine...right Todd?


If you have a timber framing project coming up and would hand crafted detail like this, please call Vermont Timber Works. We would love to work with you.

What is a Girder Truss?

now THAT is a girder truss! In beautiful douglas fir timbers with steel joinery. Handcrafted and installed by us, Vermont Timber Works.


Before the raising...at the Centennial Senior Center in Concord, NH. Ok, where's the crane and our crew?

Another beautiful example are these Girder Trusses, again in douglas fir with steel joinery.

Nobel High School in South Berwick, ME contracted us to build and install these decorative girder trusses. Nice!

Trusses are trusses...or are they?

One of the funniest things I have heard to date in my position at Vermont Timber Works was from a builder (not naming names) who was unfamiliar with custom timber trusses. His client asked him to call us and inquire about timber trusses for their great room. Something like this I would guess. A beautiful King Post Truss.

Well, he thought trusses like these were just sitting on the shelf, he had no idea they were custom made, hand crafted and sometimes took 3-4 months to get. They are just trusses he said trusses are trusses, what's so special about these? Poor guy. DON'T let this happen to you. Keep in mind a lead time for anything custom and hand crafted, like our trusses.

Cupola - Tower Truss with Cross Bracing

From the shop drawings to the finished frame, heavy timber construction and trusses is the focus of Vermont Timber Works.


The Ferrisburgh Grange Hall Timber Bell Tower...by Vermont Timber Works and contracted through Breadloaf Construction Corp. Here are some progress shots of our assembly.









Peter (our engineer ) is out there helping and it is about 26 degrees, and the wind has a bite. Rough sawn hemlock timbers have a clear finish. Steel joinery with traditional mortise & tenon is being used on this project.








At this point we have Todd & Dan up on the ladders and Peter on the ground guiding the joint into place. Doug is running the Lull and things are really coming together.










As the final side is guided into place, we have Peter, Dan and Todd on the ground, and Rick is driving the Lull. Sue and I are enjoying the view and were able to take some of these pictures through the window, brrrr.

Looking good Vermont Timber Works. Usually this part of the assembly is done on the job site, especially when our crew is contracted for the raising. In this case, Breadloaf and their team will crane this into place.

Great "Music" Room with Hammer Beam Trusses

Douglas Fir Timbers and our Modified Hammer Beam Bents create this inspirational room. This is the music room at the Trapp Family Lodge and I bet it is just that.


Here is how the frame looked in our 3D model. The colors show you the different pieces, the trusses, purlins, connectors, posts, joists & braces.

A view from the timber frame lobby, look at those curved braces. Another great job by Vermont Timber Works :) !!

The King Post Truss in Douglas Fir Timber

Vermont Teddy Bear

A beautiful example of our King Post Truss in Douglas Fir Timbers. Seen above with Steel Joinery.

The king post truss is chosen often for great rooms, living rooms, family rooms...you get the idea. Below is another GREAT example.

Our king post truss in douglas fir, this time with traditional joinery. Nice chandelier! Hubbardton Forge is my bet.

Timber Trusses for a Church? Absolutley!

Heavy Timber Trusses in Churches makes a strong statement. Don't you think so? Douglas Fir Timbers with Arched Braces...love it.

At Vermont Timber Works we are contracted for many church projects. Can you see why? I certainly can!

Whether you like the Hammer Beam Truss, King Post Truss, Scissor Truss, Girder Truss or something else, think of us for your project.

Timber Frame Great Room with Loft.

This hemlock timber frame is very impressive and can be found in beautiful Manchester, VT. The great room with a loft overlooking the open area is a wonderful design idea and is chosen quite often.

Above is the view of the great room looking down from the loft area, not bad huh? Thank you Vermont Timber Works!

Wood Trusses in Douglas Fir by Vermont Timber Works

These 4 beautiful Douglas Fir Timber Trusses are ready to go, fully assembled in our shop. The Scissor Trusses will be shipping to the Grace Episcopal Church in Amherst, MA as soon as they are ready for them.

Below is the approved shop drawing for the above truss design. Each project gets a shop drawing (or two or three) .

Wood ceiling beams can make a room GREAT!

Some may not call this a great room because it doesn't have the height....but look at those timber ceiling beams. It doesn't get much greater than that. Octagon shaped living room with pine ceiling beams. Wonderful job Vermont Timber Works!

Timber Trusses for your Great Room...Great Idea!

This king post truss can be found in Burlington, VT at the Hawthorn Suites Your great room may not be this large, but it can be this beautiful. Call Vermont Timber Works and talk with us about your project and your ideas. Talk with you soon!