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Post and Beam construction has been available as a resource since Colonial times and has recently experienced a resurgence in popularity. One of the biggest assets of post and beam (timber frame) is larger, open floor plans and cathedral ceilings.
Maine Post & Beam of Cape Cod offers custom designed single family homes, barns, outbuildings such as pool cabanas, and light commercial structures (banks, etc) incorporating post and beam technology.
Their timber frames are offered in two styles: rough sawn full dimension (like the Dream Garage) and fine planed to the 1/2" which affords a more formal appearance. In both cases Maine Post and Beam uses Eastern White Pine.
This is a popular lumber choice in New England because of its ready availability and low cost. Southern Yellow Pine, Douglas Fir and Oak are common alternatives in other parts of the country.
Dimensions: The timber frame members consist of 6x6 midposts, 6x9 corner posts, 6x10 exterior wall plates, 6x12 loft carrying beams and 4x10 loft joists. They employ 6x6 and 6x8 rafters with 4x6 collar ties and 6x6 ridge posts and 6x12 ridge beams.
To achieve long spans engineered lumber can be substituted based on span and load requirements. In the case of the Dream Garage, a glulam from Oregon was used for the ridge beam. The glulam was shipped at 43' 3' and was cut on site to 42'. It spans the 38' boat section of the barn with a 3' cantilever out on the gable end.
Post and beam construction consists essentially of plates (horizontal members) stacked on posts (vertical members). Plates are half lapped where they intersect at the post (see photos), toenailed and then secured to the post with 18" long 1" oak pegs (dowels). Holes for the pegs are drilled through the lap joint and into the post using a 1" ship auger's bit that's approximately 18' long. Wooden gussett plates are then pegged to the plates to prevent lateral motion. Oak pegs are used throughout to join plates to the posts and later on rafters into the plates. There is a lot of pegging that's visible and a lot of pegging that's not. As noted above conventional nails used as well but are blind or "toenailed" and not seen in the finished product.
Rafters are plumb cut to the ridge beam and pegged. The bottom of the rafters are notched with a crows foot detail and pegged into the plate.
Temporary wind bracing is utilized until the timber frame is completed. When finished the timber frame stands alone and is ready for an exterior skin.
Dream Garage and Boat Storage - 
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