How is a traditional frame made?

During the construction or renovation of a house, you have the choice between industrial or farmhouse frames, flat roof frames, traditional frames, etc. The traditional frame is a very resistant and durable wooden structure which brings character and aesthetics to a house. It is also made to measure with different types of wood and offers the possibility of converting its attic. Specialist in the field, we explain to you what a traditional frame is.

Among the important works of a house, we find the frame. It is an assembly of pieces of wood fixed to the load-bearing walls of your house. The frame supports your construction and maintains your roof covering. Its installation requires expertise and precise know-how that only a carpenter like Dunoyer is able to provide. Indeed, the frame is a structure which must both support its weight and resist pressure.

This work plays a structural and aesthetic role at the same time. There are several frames including the traditional frame. Dunoyer, your carpentry and carpentry company, manufactures and installs traditional wooden frames for both the most prestigious and the simplest projects. Whether for the renovation of chalets or new construction sites, individual houses and buildings, entrust us with your work to benefit from unique expertise and know-how.

Unlike the truss frame, the traditional frame is made from an assembly of large pieces of wood. This work, which represents the support of your roof, is characterized by several elements, including trusses, purlins, rafters, battens and battens. The material used for a traditional frame is wood. The latter is a noble material which comes in several species (oak, fir, etc.) depending on the pieces.

The truss represents the structure that rests on the load-bearing walls. It is a piece characterized by three main elements:

• a tie (lower part of the triangle)
• two rafters (side slopes)
• a punch which connects the entry to the top of the triangle

The traditional framework consists of several trusses. Horizontal parts called purlins are placed on these large section assemblies.

The traditional frame has three purlin models: the ridge purlin, the top plate purlin and the ventral purlin. The carpenter places rafters on the purlins in the direction of the slope of the roof. The role of the rafters is to distribute the weight of the roof of the house on the purlins. The acrobats and battens are fixed horizontally to the rafters. All of these elements help support the roof covering.

The traditional frame is made from different pieces of wood. Many species of wood from the softwood or hardwood family can be used. At Dunoyer, we have the capacity to use all types of wood. Hardwoods include trees such as oak, poplar, chestnut, etc. As for softwoods, they develop more quickly and several species such as pine, fir, spruce and larch are used to create traditional frames. Before construction work begins, we ensure that the wood we use meets the NF standard. This guarantees that the material will resist humidity, wood-eating insects and fungi.

Unlike the farmhouse which is equipped with metal connectors, the traditional frame is the result of an assembly of triangular-shaped pieces of wood. Each piece of wood is previously nailed or glued. The installation of the various elements is done step by step, starting with the installation of the trusses on the masonry, then the purlins and the rafters in compliance with construction standards. There are different assemblies for a traditional frame. These include recessing, bolting and nailing. The work related to the installation of a traditional frame is complex and can take several days.

This wooden work offers many advantages. Being made of solid wood, the traditional frame is more fire resistant unlike a metal frame. This robust and durable wooden frame brings aesthetics to your home. This is not a standard work and its creation can be the subject of a tailor-made project. In addition, the configuration of the traditional frame offers considerable space saving and the development of the attic when the ceiling height reaches at least 1.80 m. We can then proceed with the insulation depending on whether the attic is converted or lost.

Installing a traditional frame is a project that requires technical knowledge and know-how. It is recommended to call on a carpenter like Dunoyer.