DIY: How to Install a House Beam

One of the traditional methods of house building, timber framing, fell out of favor with the advent of stick framing in the 19th century. Timber framing has made a comeback in recent decades, however, as some homeowners have been drawn to its durability and the striking beauty of the large timbers. Also called post and beam construction, the framing members typically bond by a tenon, or projection on the wood, fitting into a mortise, or indentation. A number of manufacturers make kits that a confident do-it-yourselfer can assemble himself, with some help from friends.

Scaffolding
Brace
Post
Peg
Hammer or mallet
Beam

Instructions

- 1
  Stand on scaffolding near the top of the post. Have helpers lift the diagonal brace up to you. Place the tenon diagonal brace into the brace mortise on one end of the post.
- 2
  Ensure that the peg holes on each framing member align. Drive a peg through the holes with a hammer or mallet.
- 3
  Get a helper to assist you on the scaffolding while others lift up the beam and push it toward you. Guide the beam's tenon into the mortise at the top of the post.
- 4
  Fit the tenon of the beam into the mortise of the post. Ensure that the peg holes on the side of the mortise and the peg hole on the tenon align. Drive a peg through the holes on the side of the post. Ensure that the peg goes through the hole in the beam's tenon.
- 5
  Fit the freestanding end of the diagonal brace into the mortise on the underside of the beam. Ensure that the holes align and join the brace and beam together with a peg.
- 6
  Repeat the entire process at the other end of the post.

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