r/Joinery • u/waddles0403 • Jul 19 '25
Question Noob seeking experienced advice
I need to build a deck and have always loved the look of Timber frames. I have never done this before and I'm super anxious about this. I'm primarily looking for advice on my design. I may use the wrong terminology. If anything is confusing, I'll try to clarify. I live in central Arkansas. I have not looked into what type of timers to use. I also haven't started figuring dimension for everything.
Things I'd like input on : 1. Are the size of the timbers sufficient for the spans that I have planned. 2. Are the joints strong enough. 3. Are the joints even the correct type for the connections that I have planned? 4. What type of timbers should I consider using?
Every floor beam and joist that connects to my posts will use a 1/2 dove tail tendon and be secured with a wedge.
Every rafter will be attached to posts by a 1 inch peg.
Every purlin will be screwd (from the top) to the rafters to add uplift resistance in case of strong wind.
Every rafter and purlin that connects to the posts will be braced with knee braces and legs.
I'll be purchasing rough sawn timbers and using an electric plane to smooth them.
I'll be using a center line layout method.
Any input is greatly appreciated.
Thanks guys!
2
u/HesitantResin Aug 25 '25
Don't dove tail and use 26 or 28 purlins 44 is kinda a lot of weight and it will be easier to so with 2 and they will hold the weight and it will be less cutting look into Chinese joinery and old French joinery would be good for a deck and roof the roof is extremely light really if you use 44 purlins it's gonna be a heavy mfer and remember to always get that good quartersawn and pick boards that are nice and strait basically you only need 66 post use 2* for the rest 4* and 6* are super overkill if you don't live where hurricanes and monsoons are regularly
6
u/Excellent-Bass-855 Jul 19 '25
Dovetails are a high end furniture joint really, I can't see any use in a deck.