Hi Subway;
In looking at old buildings I nave noticed the cheaper buildings may have 7"x7" posts (8"x8" is a standard size which allows full 4" tenons) and other slender lumber, but it is important not to skimp on strength and is regulated by code. This said, another trick old-timers used in barns is to leave out the joists and span openings up to about 8' with wide-planks only (tie them together like you tie together wooden staging planks and they share the load). Some old buildings do not even have posts (plank wall construction). Also the species selection matters, pine is cheaper than oak, etc. The quality of sawing can save you time by allowing mill rule framing. Old buildings often have reused timbers, but today old timber can sometimes be expensive. Minimizing the number of connections such as by using a few long braces such as in the stereotypical German framing rather than multiple short braces. I have not analyzed the costs I think but you can get more floor space for the money using jetties (smaller foundation = less cost). As in the first paragraph Tim Beal wrote, use lodging (laying timbers on top of each other rather than notched together) which also allows the use of smaller timbers since they are not notched. I have also seen barns with vertical boarding where the wall nailers (rails) were left out and a slab or plank was nailed to the boarding to keep the boards in-line. Thick (2" to 3") slabs (the first cut off a log) were used as studs, jack rafters, and braces in some old buildings, a very efficient use of materials.
Jim
Last edited by Housewright; 07/09/11 11:03 PM.
