A timber frame is a structural system built from wooden posts and beams. It is one of the oldest methods of construction. The posts carry the vertical load. The beams carry the horizontal load. The joints are connected with mortise and tenon, dovetail, and pegged joinery. No nails are used in traditional timber framing. The frame is exposed and celebrated. It is a craft and a structure. It is also a sustainable building method.

Timber frames come in several types. A post-and-beam frame uses large timbers. A truss frame uses triangulated members. A cruck frame uses curved timbers. A box frame uses closely spaced studs. Each has its own history and its own region. The timber is usually oak, Douglas fir, or pine. It is cut, shaped, and joined. The frame is raised in a barn-raising or a frame-raising. The community helps. It is a social event. It is also a practical one. The frame goes up fast.

Timber frames have advantages. They are strong, durable, and beautiful. They sequester carbon. They are energy-efficient when combined with insulation. They are also a craft. The timber framer is a skilled tradesperson. They cut the joints with chisels and saws. They fit the pieces together. The frame is a puzzle. It is also a structure. It must be designed by an engineer. It must be built by a craftsman. It must be maintained. A timber frame can last for centuries. It is a legacy. It is a building method. It is a tradition. It is also a modern choice.