1

WOOD & Buildings Student Wiki by David J Shofstahl

CET 210 – Fundamentals of Building Construction

Fall 2014 Old Dominion University

Rough-sawn lumber recently milled by forestry students at Dabney S. Lancaster Community College.

Raw logs that have been ripped lengthwise are seen in the left of the image. In the background, notice the heavy timbers that might serve as posts or beams in a timber framed structure.

2

The following images of various wood applications on several residential structures were all captured at the Greenbrier in White Sulpher Springs, West Virginia.

Log Cabin

This home was originally built in northern WV in the early 1800s. It was disassembled and moved to its current location in 2012. 200 years later, the hand-hewn logs are still in good shape! The wrap-around porch is built of new wood.

3

Timber Frame

The joints on both of these projects are mortise and tenon. The timbers are notched into each other and pinned with wooden dowels.

The columns in the image to the right are not timbers – they are 6”-by-6” wood posts that are neatly wrapped with 1” thick lumber.

The trusses in the image to the left were prefabricated and required a crane to set them.

The ceiling is tongue and grove 2”-by-6” clear pine (no knots).

4

Reclaimed Lumber

This unique home incorporates many historical elements. The wood siding and fence were salvaged from homes that have been torn down. The wood species range from hemlock to chestnut and oak. The material was delivered to the jobsite with nails removed, but ungraded. The carpenters planed and ripped the boards onsite to the dimensions they needed for the project.

5

Wood Roofs

Cedar shakes are a common roofing material at the Greenbrier. Cedar is naturally weather and pest resistant, lightweight, reflective, and, with an average lifespan of 30-40 years, its extra cost is justified by sustainability.

6

“Stick”-Framing

Most houses are “stick” built with 2x4s and other kiln-dried, dimensional lumber (usually pine). These images show the structural uses of wood in residential construction. Notice the long-spanning beams and the 2x10 rafters (left). Walls are typically assembled flat on the ground and tilted into place. Notice the “green plate” (treated lumber) under the wall (right) that isolates the framing from the masonry foundation.

Manufactured wood products like oriented strand board (OSB) (above, right) and laminated veneer lumber (LVL) (right) are utilized for strength, versatility, and cost effectiveness.