Scarf Joints
A scarf joint connects two pieces of timber end to end. This enables you to have much longer lengths than you can get in one piece. Commonly used for Eaves Beams and Purlins. The scarf joint should be placed at a point of low bending stress next to a post or brace.
There are several different types of scarf joint but we use the Bridle Scarf on our Eaves Beams and a Side Halved Scarf on our Purlins.
Mortice & Tenon Joints
The Mortice & Tenon joint is a basic compression joint. The mortice is the cavity cut into the timber to take the tenon. Usually it is used to join two pieces of wood at right angles but we also use this joint on out curved knee braces. There are several different types of mortice & tennon joint but we use the standard one most of the time but will use the housed mortice & tenon joint on oak floor joists.
Lap Joints
We use either Half Lap or Stopped Half Lap joints at corners and these are fixed together with stainless steel pins if there are forces trying to pull the two beams apart.
Most traditional joints are fixed using seasoned oak pegs and the joints are draw bored to help pull the joints together. Some joints need to be fixed with stainless steel pins for added strength and some, like the King Post Joints, need bolts or plates to make then work structurally.
