Barns are perfect for studying construction techniques. Unlike
in a house, in a barn the structure is out in the open. It’s not
hidden behind walls or ceilings or insulation. It’s not tucked
away in the attic or basement. Everywhere you turn you can see
clues to the way in which the building was constructed. While
there are many things that can be examined to understand the way
in which a barn was built – e.g. the way in which the timbers
were shaped, the types of nails used to join pieces of the frame
together, the way in which the roof is constructed, or even the
placement of specific timbers within a frame – this essay
focuses on one aspect of construction: the way in which timber
frames for barns were laid out and constructed. Timber framing
can be accomplished in two basic ways, called scribe rule
framing and square rule framing. The difference between the two
is the way in which the timbers are prepared for joining. In
scribe rule framing, each connection between timbers is unique.
The carpenter laying