Most people probably do not know that Hundegger USA was formed after Euclid Timber Frames, L.C. became the very FIRST Hundegger customer in North America. Hundegger was well known in the European market, but it was a distinct need in this continental market that brought German technology to the shores of North America. Timber Framing, or “post-and-beam” construction, is an old traditional method of building with heavy timbers, creating structures using squared-off and carefully fitted timbers and joinery secured by wooden pegs. Modern construction is now able to capture the beauty and functionality of the past while using the equipment and technology of the present.
Building on a Long History
Timber frame building and half-timbered construction methods started in the northern regions of Europe from the center of the continent in the early Middle Ages. With Euclidean math, the ability to use various lengths of timber for construction made this technique a particular favorite with European inhabitants where sufficient quantity and quality timber was often hard to come by. Although historic roof trusses in Central Europe have been the subject of research for nearly a century, the sheer quantity of them covering buildings—from houses to castles, barns to cathedrals—and the general lack of interest in these structures have resulted in only a rough explanation of the development of these technical monuments, leaving many gaps in the history of Roof Trusses.
Believe it or not, the basic evolution of Wood Roof Truss design dates back to the oldest known roofs of around A.D. 1100 and continues into the eighteenth century. All of these structures are made of wood with the occasional use of iron as bolts or nails to connect the components. We can also see how, over time, new practices would arise as the direct consequences of the limitations of the building materials used – mainly wood. It is the period between 1500 and 1700 which is extremely exciting for its rich diversity in the construction of trusses. The basic construction principle underlying Germanic carpentry is the use of a structural triangle forming a truss spanning the shortest possible distance. Each triangle is made up of one tie-beam and two rafters, joined at all three corners thus forming a plate. The rafters are integral to the load bearing of the system, transmitting the weight of the roof covering directly to the supporting walls.
Bringing German Engineering into the Modern Era
In the 1980s, mechanical engineer Hans Hundegger was working late one night on his father’s Lumber Mill equipment. A customer came in and got to talking with Hans about joinery and “pre-fabbing” timbers for more efficient labor and material use. That sparked a thought and Hans began designing and building the first Hundegger CNC joinery saw.
Today’s sophisticated saws make it even easier to capture the rich history and beauty of traditional timber framing in a modern manufacturing environment. The finesse of the old school techniques can be obtained with less labor and greater precision. Indeed, there is a growing market for more rustic, open, exposed truss barn structures.
The pictures show a 40’ x 50’ Barn built in Park City, UT as a secondary garage for exotic European sports cars. It’s a very attractive Gambrel design. With no interior walls or support posts, the engineered Gambrel Truss design optimizes useable upstairs interior space. The second level interior of the sloped Gambrel ceiling offers a lot of headroom in the center. The trusses use some basic joinery with traditional ¾” bolts and cast bridge washers, some square and some round.
From Europe to Utah
Just as construction has evolved from continent to continent, so too has our company grown from Germany to the United States. In fact, Euclid Timber Frames is based in Utah and so is Hundegger USA. Bringing together this “other” more traditional side of Wooden Truss design and construction with modern equipment allows us to help reproduce the beauty of old school building techniques while delivering the strength and performance we need in the modern world.