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Art of housed joinery

Title: The Art of Timbercraft: Housed Joinery

When it comes to creating a custom timber frame home that is both functional and full of character, joinery plays a central role. At the heart of quality Timbercraft’s craftsmanship lies in Timbercraft’s housed joinery—a practice that fuses tradition, skill, and artistry to shape the spaces we live in. Whether you’re renovating a period property or building a new home with timeless features, investing in high-quality joinery can transform your timber frame home into something truly special.

Showcasing the difference between housed joinery and just mortise and tenon joinery.

What is Timbercraft Housed Joinery?

Timbercraft housed joinery refers to the meticulous craft of pocketing each intersecting timber member into a pocket, known as housing, to stabilize the timber frame as it ages in place.  Housing not only provide a structural bearing component, but also a finished look that lasts a lifetime.  Unlike mass-produced alternatives, Timbercraft’s housed joinery emphasizes customization,

durability, and aesthetic harmony with a building’s architecture.

Each piece is designed and built with careful attention to detail, often using high quality sourced timbers like Douglas fir, oak, or pine. The result? Features that aren’t just functional—they’re a visual and tactile experience.

 

The beginnings of a hand perfected housed joinery produced at Timbercraft.

Why Housed Joinery Matters

While often overlooked, housed joinery forms the backbone of a well-finished home. Precision-crafted timber elements can:

  • Hide the shrinkage gaps – In traditional joinery where a beam is joined to a post, as the post shrinks a gap start to appear between the beam and the post.  The housing will hide that shrinkage creating a more visually appealing timber frame.
  • Improve functionality – Housings are a huge benefit to the engineering of a timber frame.  The housing provides a built-in shelf for the beams to rest and bear on.

The Timbercraft Process

A reputable Timbercraft team member brings not only woodworking expertise but also design insight. The process typically includes:

  1. Consultation & Design: Understanding the client’s vision, architectural style, and functional requirements.
  2. Material Selection: Choosing the right wood species for strength, grain, and finish.
  3. Handcrafted Production: Skilled artisans use time-honored methods alongside modern tools for precision.

A Testament to Craftsmanship

In an age of fast builds and disposable materials, Timbercraft’s housed joinery stands as a reminder of what true craftsmanship means. It’s not just about woodworking—it’s about creating a lasting impression.

Whether you’re a homeowner seeking beauty and function or a builder looking for dependable artisanship, investing in Timbercraft’s housed joinery is a decision that pays off in quality, style, and sustainability.

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