Tie-beam, Post, & Top-plate Design

What is the simplest and strongest way to join the tie-beam, post, & top-plate "IF" I want the tie-beam & top-plate flush with each other? I would like to timberframe the first floor structure along with a wood ceiling that doubles as the floor in the loft, and then just build a conventional roof on top of it along with a couple of rooms and a bath in the loft. Thanks for helping out a newbie.

David H

Hi David,

Check out Timber Framing no 56 where Jack Sobon has published a number of traditional tie beam to wall plate connections some of which have level wall plate to tie beam top surfaces.

If you don't have this paper edition you can download the same article (part 2) in Adobe .pdf format from the TFG web site home page.

Regards

Ken Hume