About Euclid Timber Frames, LC

Euclid Timber Frames L.C. is a hands-on company dedicated to providing custom design and quality craftsmanship. We help with the design process by providing individual guidance here at our shop or in your home/office. We manufacture all of our own frames. We use only the highest grade wood and hardware. Euclid Timber Frames began operations in the 1980's moving to our current location in the Heber Valley in 1998. Euclid is Utah's oldest and most experienced timber frame company.

Euclid Timber Frames provides home owners, architects, interior designers, and contractors with high-quality custom crafted timber frames for residential and commercial projects in styles ranging from rustic, to traditional, to contemporary. Timber framing began for us as a passion as we studied the traditions and joinery used for centuries throughout Europe and Japan. Timber Framing remains our passion as we strive to tangibly create your vision by merging timeless traditional timber joinery with the technology, convenience and designs required in modern construction.

Our Name

Euclid was an ancient Greek mathematician who taught at the University of Alexandria in Egypt. He is known as "The father of geometry". Euclidean math was the forerunner to Pythagorean and his ever popular theorem A2 + B2 = C2. Once Euclid's works were compiled and translated into English, timber framing took off in Great Britain because the mathematics of framing and joinery could be calculated. The structural versatility and aesthetics of Timber Framing has helped it become and remain one of the most preferred methods of construction in many parts of the country and world.

Here's looking at Euclid!

Expert Craftsmanship and Service

Euclid Timber Frames brings expert craftsmanship to each project. We build to the client's exact specifications, style, design, and material preference. Attention to detail is the essential component for completing and installing your project. Our timber frame staff has years of experience. We are ready to assist in creating your dream home, show piece truss, mantle, or any custom crafted timber frame element you may be looking for. Whether you are a designer, architect, contractor, or homeowner, you've come to the right place for timber framing excellence.

Our craftsmen are among the finest and most professional in the country. We are dedicated to quality work and detail. Most of the frame styles you see here on our site can be customized to suit your space and/or decor. If preferred, we can start from scratch and create something just for you with an entirely new design.

Working with us is exciting and fun! We have thousands of satisfied customers. The largest volume of our work is with repeat customers. Let's take someone's breath away!

Affordable Quality

Euclid Timber Frames works within your projected budget. From your design or blueprints, Euclid provides an estimate and details. If your project requires an original design, floor plans and drawings can be provided.

Location

Euclid Timber Frames is located in the Heber Valley of Utah and has gained recognition as Utah's timber frame company of choice.

Our office is housed in a uniquely designed timber frame barn, designed and built in 1998. The workshop is a 12,000 square foot timber structure that shows off the possibilities of timber frames. Click here for directions.

Education - Timber Framing 101

Timber Framing is an art that dates back to at least 1250 B.C. While the history of timber framing--starting from the earliest archaeological data to the present day--is a fascinating story, our goal is to help inform you enough to allow you to better design your timber frame.

Take a quick look at Figure #1 to the right. This is a simple timber frame shown without the skin (exterior walls and roof). As you can see a timber frame is not a log cabin. The timbers in a timber frame are joined together to form a frame instead of being stacked on top of each other like they are in a log cabin. This is the first major characteristic of a timber frame: the timbers form a structural frame.

The second major characteristic is the manner in which the timbers are connected. Instead of using a metal plate and bolts, a timber frame uses mortise and tenon joinery. Simply put, a mortise is a hole in a piece of wood. A tenon is a little tab from a second piece of wood and fits into the mortise. After the tenon is put into the mortise, a hole is drilled through both parts and an oak peg is driven into the hole. The peg secures the pieces together. Figure #2 shows how the middle post of the above frame might be joined. Notice the mortises, the tenons, and the pegs.

Other types of mortise and tenon joinery could be used in the section shown in the picture. In fact, at the height of timber framing in Japan, competing timber frame guilds developed over 400 different types of joints (many of these were more decorative than useful). We use a variety of joints in our timber frames depending on the architectural style you want.

A typical timber frame can be subdivided into bents and bays. Figure #3 to the right, the end bent of our simple frame from above has been highlighted. A bent basically defines the shape and size of the house and can take on many styles. See the design page for illustrations of other types of bents (design styles section). The given names of the individual parts are common names, though other names exist. The bay is the area between bents as shown in Figure #4. A typical bay might also have common rafters instead of purlins depending on the style of your home.

If you've still got questions about how a timber frame works, let us know by clicking here: "I've still got questions about timber framing." If you'd like to contact us about designing your timber frame, fill out our design questionnaire which you can find here.
Figure #1
Figure #1

Figure #2
Figure #2

Figure #3
Figure #3

Figure #4
Figure #4