Cruck Frame or Post and Truss?
Cruck and Post and Truss are the two main types of timber frame buildings in the UK – depending on age of construction and location.
Cruck construction
These are cross frames made up of pairs of curved timbers, it is said to originate from boat building techniques and it’s not hard to see why. The frame looks a little like an upturned boat.
These timbers meet at the apex and are tied together by a collar. This frame supports purlins and wall plates. It looks like a letter ‘A’. Using this construction method, Cruck frames transfer the load from the roof to the ground.
Post and Truss
This is the most common timber frame form and makes use of purlins. Roof and walls are structurally combined within each cross frame. The cross frames include tie beams. Main rafters are joined or tied into a beam and this forms roof trusses to carry purlins which in turn support the rafters.
Studwork
Stud walls or studwork partition walls can be built to create a room or partition or to build a corridor or hallway. It is important to build them to a certain standard and, of course, level and plumb to keep from having problems later on with hanging doors and openings. It could mean doors do not open or close properly. Generally, in modern construction, studs are 16 inches apart on centre as a standard, however on some older buildings they can be 12 or 24 inches at the centre points.
If you don’t have enough vertical studs you will end up with a weak wall that moves and you will almost certainly have difficulty when it comes to fixing skirting boards or anything else at a later date. This is equally true of noggings which are the horizontal wooden pieces that help to strengthen and brace the structure.