Germany’s Traditional Wood Construction – Wood Nails & Timber Framing

Germany has several styles of timber framing, but probably the greatest number of half-timbered buildings in the world are to be found in Germany and Alsace (France).

Since this building method has been used for thousands of years in many parts of the world, many styles of historical framing have developed. Traditional timber framing is the method of creating structures using heavy squared-off and carefully fitted and joined timbers with joints secured by large wooden pegs (larger versions of the mortise and tenon joints in furniture). It is a common place in wooden buildings from the 19th century and earlier. e.

The most characteristic feature is the spacing between the posts and the high placement of windows. Panels are enclosed by a sill, posts, and a plate, and are crossed by two rails between which the windows are placed—like “two eyes peering out”