Natural Building Company » Uncategorized

Frame erected!

admin — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 12:51:51 +0000

We’ve erected the oak frame for our current project on site. It was so exciting that we got all emotional and had to make a video about it…

Purlins fitted!

admin — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 12:21:36 +0000

We’ve fitted the purlins to the roof frame of our current project. Oak frames are cut in a workshop by laying different sections out flat; a wall, a truss, a floor. Trying to build the whole building in 3D in the workshop would be too difficult. However, there’s one stage where you have to set the frame out in 3D – when you joint the purlins into the principal rafters. It’s hairy but exciting because you get a sense of the scale of the building for the first time.

Arch brace truss jointed!

admin — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 12:11:26 +0000

One of the most interesting features of our current project is the arch brace truss cross frame. We decided to use it because it doesn’t have a tie beam, so it will give a sense of space and height in the middle of the building. Because they don’t have a tie beam, arch brace trusses need to be exceedingly well made to tolerate the stresses involved. We’ve just jointed our arch brace truss; soon we’ll cut the curve in the oak slabs as shown in the plans!