Timber Framers Guild

any issues with mixed species framing?

Posted By: Nsherve

any issues with mixed species framing? - 07/05/18 10:22 AM

Would there be any issues if I were to use white oak as posts and hickory or elm as beams and joists? I mean as far as the shrinking rates, checking, etc?
Nate
Posted By: timberwrestler

Re: any issues with mixed species framing? - 07/05/18 01:19 PM

No, there's no issue. They may shrink at a different rate, but two timbers of the same species may shrink and check differently as well. I've found hickory to check a lot, to the point where I've had to re-cut the pieces. I don't have experience with elm, but I imagine that it could be hard to work with the interlocking grain.
Posted By: Nsherve

Re: any issues with mixed species framing? - 07/05/18 02:14 PM

Did they check too much before or after putting the pieces all together? And, what were you using the hickory for?
Posted By: timberwrestler

Re: any issues with mixed species framing? - 07/06/18 12:34 PM

In that case, they were naturally curved hickory braces, and they split in half before the raising. So they were relatively thin and small. On other larger pieces I've used (8x8 & 8x10 I think), they mostly checked after raising. If you've got the wood, then I'd go for it.
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