From Daizen News
I like to see a man proud of the place in which he lives. I like to see a man live so that his place will be proud of him.
—Abraham Lincoln
Author Archives: Dai
Building wisdom, May 2013
May 9, 2013 – 10:44 am
Residential Glulam
May 9, 2013 – 10:39 am
From Daizen News, May 2013
Glulam, or glue-laminate, is engineered wood that is twice the strength of #1 grade timber and is sometimes used as a beam. It is composed of several layers of dimensioned timber bonded together with durable, moisture-resistant structural adhesives.
Glulam is frequently used in large scale projects like airports and manufacturing facilities in order to achieve a large open span. As an industrial component, it looks good, but for a residential application, we use Glulam in a different way.
First, to soften the laminated look, it’s best if the glue in the lamination is clear. Then, we wire-brush the surface in order to blend the glue lines in. Finally, we use a dark stain color.
Glulam can be an affordable alternative to big timbers. At any size bigger than 8 in. x 14 ft., or longer than 24 ft., the cost of kiln dried timber rises to exceed that of engineered wood . . . and then the point is reached where natural timber at that size does not exist. For this project, an industrial feel is part of the design concept, so Glulam is the material of choice.
Charred board finish
May 9, 2013 – 10:27 am
From Daizen News, May 2013
A board burned ½-in. deep becomes naturally weather and insect resistant. Charring boards in this way was a common finish in the old days in Japan.
These days it’s more for an authentic look, but it’s functional, too.
Feature: fully enclosed in SIPs
May 9, 2013 – 10:24 am
From Daizen News, May 2013
This project was designed by John Peter Sauter, a Calgary architect, for his sister. It is built on the lake property where they have spent summers since childhood.
The full timber frame structure was completely enclosed in structural insulated panels (SIPs), so that the interior walls and roof are SIPs. (The SIPs have drywall on their inner side.)
Notice that the posts and beams are fully exposed on the inside walls. The unusual timber color is stunning, and the very-well-chosen colors of the walls, ceiling, and beautiful furniture enhance our timber frame ten times over!
Building wisdom, April 2013
April 21, 2013 – 11:32 am
Ii koto ga attara, warau no de ha nakute, waratte iru kara ii koto ga aru /
We do not smile because something good has happened; rather something good happens because we smile.
Daizen moves to a new shop
April 21, 2013 – 11:32 am
From Daizen News, April 2013
We are pleased to announce that we have moved into a larger shop in a better location.
We are now about 20km east of Kamloops, near the Lafarge concrete
plant. The shop is big enough so that we can now fabricate two
projects at the same time.
Our new address:
2947 Shuswap Rd
Kamloops, BC V2H1S9
You can see a map on our website.
Thanks for stopping by
April 21, 2013 – 11:32 am
From Daizen News, April 2013
We would like to thank the people who stopped at our booth at the March BC Log Home, Timber Frame, and Country Living Show held in Abbotsford. Our display this year was to show the limits of how much we can bend timber. We have not yet assigned the use of this very curved display.
Another way Daizen is Going for Green
April 19, 2013 – 11:09 am
From Daizen News, April 2013
Our new dust collection system is highly advanced—it creates a clean working environment and also makes our shavings into fire briquettes. We are working towards a zero-waste operation, and we just got a lot closer.
Building Wisdom, March 2013
April 19, 2013 – 11:06 am
石の上に三年
ishi no ue ni san nen /
three years on the rock /
It takes a long time sitting on a stone before it warms up. Expect to work at something for three years before you see results.
How important is a gasket?
April 19, 2013 – 11:04 am
From Daizen News, March 2013
The photo below shows a thermal image from a blow door test, superimposed over a shot of the house itself. A blow door test forces air through the house to determine where heat is escaping. The tongue-and-groove decking and, especially, one triangle
along the roof are areas of air leakage. Since they are in the upper part of the house, the heat loss is tremendous.
The air-tight joints with gaskets that we use prove that our joinery is not causing the heat loss. In one spot, where a beam intersects the roof plate via a wood housing, we thought a gasket was not needed. But the photo shows a distinct air leak. What we learned from this test result will change our frame joint details immediately; and with this knowledge, the leak was easy to fix.
More on an air-tight joint.
A timber frame’s effect on the environment
April 19, 2013 – 10:57 am
from Daizen News, March 2014
It’s been a focus for us to understand clearly how our timber frame building operation impacts the environment. Naturally, cutting trees seems like damaging the environment, but a B.C. Log and Timber Building Industry lifecycle assessment (PDF) shows that a timber frame can be environmental friendly if built right.
The key is to build a structure that will last a long time. Doing this captures (or sequesters) a significant amount of carbon in the timber.
Once a tree reaches, say, 100 years in age, it is close to the maximum amount of carbon it can hold.
Two interesting things from this report:
- a cut tree will not capture any additional carbon, so, past that point, it is not improving the air; and
- in British Columbia, natural disasters like fire and insect infestation cause much more damage than harvesting by humans.
Sources of forest disturbance in Canada.
This tells us that, if we harvest trees arefully and, in that harvested area, continue to plant and grow trees, then harvesting a tree is not damaging the environment. Using the wood to build a long-lasting frame is a positive action, because it “saves” the carbon in the wood from being released into the atmosphere.
After the tree is harvested, how it’s processed is significant. A short-distance haul (and minimal use of fossil fuel for production) is the next factor to consider. Daizen uses mostly hydropower, with its computer-controlled minimum-input to maximum-output ratio.
Finally, the stain product used affects the environment the most in our operations.
Building Wisdom November 2011
November 15, 2012 – 6:44 pm
By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established.
—Proverbs 24:3
A traditional Japanese frame blessing
November 15, 2012 – 6:42 pm
From Daizen News November 2011
A frame-blessing ceremony is no longer common, but we had a good opportunity to do one recently in Kamloops. The client requested the ceremony, gathering family and friends together. The purpose of the ceremony is to show the last piece of the frame fitting into the house while the people who will live in the house look on. That last timber assembly included a wetting bush (small pine tree) and a Canadian flag.
Flying in the last roof truss, adorned with a Canadian flag and the traditional wetting bush. The truss end is padded against the lifting strap.
Fitting the final assembly into place.
The client contributed wine and snacks for everyone who gathered to celebrate the fine frame that was built. They greatly admired the work of the designer, the contractor, and we timber framers. In this event I witnessed the client’s thoughtfulness.
I explained the process of creating a frame—trees in coastal BC, cut selectively, delivered to a specialty mill, and carefully kiln dried. Once the wood arrived at our workshop, we planed, sanded, stained, and fabricated the timbers. All were local operations employng local people. I have no doubt that they cared for the work and tried the best they could, each in their own specialty. I shared my pride and appreciation on behalf of all these teams.
I realized something important in this event. The cost of living is so high now, and supporting local businesses (as opposed to using big-box chains) can cause higher immediate costs. Those who allow us to team up with other local businesses who do good work are really supporting our society.
I then blessed the house in the traditional Japanese style. Salt, sake, and rice were prepared for the ceremony. We also created a piece of wood listing all teams and the raising date on its back, and a wish and celebration on the front.
On the red cloth are small bowls of salt, sake, and rice. Leaning vertically above it is the “blessing board.”
I began by spreading salt at each corner: east, south, west, and north. Then, all together, we made two bows, two taps of the wood, and one bow. I explained this as follows: “We are asking this piece of wood to protect anyone who lives under this frame for ten generations to come. While we bow and tap, please put all of your wishes for protection into to this piece of wood. Once the ceremony is completed, this board will stay inside the roof.”
After the bowing and tapping was done, the home’s new owners spread the sake in the same manner as I had done with the salt. The general contractor followed suit with the rice. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the ceremony.
A chance to learn from B. Allan Mackie
November 15, 2012 – 6:37 pm
B. Allan Mackie founded a legendary log-building school—the first in the world, the B. Allan Mackie School of Log Building—in 1971, in Prince George, BC. He was almost 50 years old at that time. Dai was an instructor and then a host of this school for 15 years; he has been the only director of the school other than Allan Mackie.
Allan just celebrated his 87th birthday on October 16th, and plans are in the works for a school “family reunion” in Japan.
Unfortunately, the school is no longer offering courses. For the last five years, Allan and Dai have focused on creating a nine-unit DVD training series, following B. Allan Mackie’s pioneering building philosophy, for those who want to build their own log homes. These are now available online (www.loghomedvd.com). The first 60-minute unit, introducing log building, is a free download.
From Daizen News November 2012
At this time, Allan is planning to attend the International Log Builders’ Association’s annual general meeting in Prescott, Arizona.
If you have an interest in log building, you will thoroughly enjoy this look at Mackie’s work, which has graced Canada and countries all over the world.
Building wisdom, October 2012
October 18, 2012 – 5:32 pm
仇は恩で奉ぜよ あだはおんでほうぜよ /
ada wa on de bouzyo /
repay your enemy with a favor; return good for evil.
—Japanese proverb
Spotlight on comb finish
October 18, 2012 – 5:29 pm
From Daizen News October 2012
Wood offers lots of options. One of the most important to homeowners—because it concerns the entire timber surface that you see (and live with) in the finished house—is the finish. If you want a rustic feel to your timber but don’t like fuzzy fibers that catch dust and provide an easy path for spiders, a comb finish may be the answer for you. In most cases, vertical grain is the favored grain look, but in a comb finish, flat grain is also pleasing to look at it.
To achieve a comb finish, we scrub a nylon brush along the grain that digs into, and compresses, the softer fibers. This makes the tight-grained winter growth stand out in relief. Running your hand over it feels good—you get to feel the grain, not just see it.
A comb finish also stands out more when stained.
It’s more work for us, which means a bit more cost, but the result is stunning. Most people who see it (and feel it) really love it.
For more, see our article, “Wood Texture,” on our website’s Downloads page.
Epoxy post anchor system: the best so far
October 18, 2012 – 5:23 pm
From Daizen News October 2012
We work on many projects, so we receive lots of connection specs from many engineers. It seems like the post anchor connection is still a grey zone in terms of best practices.
This year, we’ve used epoxy anchor connections for almost all of our frames. Why? I think it’s because epoxy anchors lived up to all we thought they would be in their reasonable cost, ease of use, and reliability.
In most steel plate connections, the plates need to be embedded. Plates designed to be attached after the raising still need to be specially fabricated. We often get a phone call after the contractor has installed the frame: “Can you send me detailed information on the connections?” Strangely, we expect to get this information from the contractor! Clearly, there is clearly no generally-accepted standard connection for post anchors, so we have decided to provide a solution for it.
To see this YouTube video of the epoxy connection being assembled, click the image or this link—epoxy video.
When we see the new-building details for post anchors specified with expensive knife plates, we know it means lots of work to set them in place and prepare the timber slot for the plate, which in turn means much greater cost and lots of communication. If we knew who designed this, we could send them information in advance about what we’ve found works better. The epoxy system we favor is much easier to handle.
I explain it to engineers like this. “The epoxy connection is just like a threaded rod cured with epoxy in concrete and wood, except the engineer doesn’t need to worry about whether epoxy will fill properly, because our preferred system is designed to do that.”
Epoxy is injected into threaded rods.
The cavity fills from the middle.
I instruct the job supervisor as follows: “On the concrete that will support the post, find the spot that will be the center of each post, and drill a 6-in.-deep hole there, making sure no rebar is placed in that area. We will provide the rods. Please make sure to insert them with the injection nose accessible for filling the epoxy in once the frame is built.
“Regular concrete epoxy starts to cure in about 5 minutes, so each post needs to be stabilized in its final position for this time. With our system, you don’t need to hold each post in a definite position for 5 minutes. It allows the entire frame to be raised first. You can adjust the post locations, plumb them, and then inject the epoxy, which will set in place.
“The threaded rod is hollow; the injection nozzle plugs into it halfway down its length. The epoxy will flow out from the end of the rod, so when we see any excess from the injection hole, we know the entire space is filled.”
Setup for injecting the epoxy. Note the small hole at the bottom of the timber.
The epoxy is injected into the hole. When epoxy oozes out, the cavity is full.
To summarize, here are the advantages of this system.
- It requires no steel fabrication.
It does not require any preparation in the concrete, except to make sure the center of the post location is rebar-free.
The epoxy doesn’t need to be filled while building is happening; you inject the epoxy once all adjustments are complete and you’re ready to secure the post.
There is no distributor in North America for this epoxy system, so we carry the stock. For further details, please email us.
Building wisdom September 2012
September 18, 2012 – 3:17 pm
From Daizen News
A chaque oiseau, son nid est beau /
To every bird, its own nest is beautiful.
—French proverb
An Air-Tight Joint
September 18, 2012 – 3:14 pm
From Daizen News, September 2012
We see two different types of timber frame. One is a frame covered with Structural Insulated Panels (SIP) for high energy efficiency: a highly insulated, air-tight house system.
The other has an infill wall system where the frame is visible both inside and outside. In the infill wall frame, we use full-size tenons so the air cannot penetrate, but we also started using a gasket that is slotted into the joinery and then fills at the frame raising. The HannoWerk seal from Germany is a closed cell seal that expands to block any air or water that might run into the space.
Since we use a seal, the tenon does not need to be full size. We couldn’t achieve this effect with a bead of caulking because timber can shrink and, if a gap occurs, the caulk doesn’t have the ability to expand. Here you can see a groove just to the left of the tenon, where the seal will sit.
The seal in its groove. The groove is necessary so that the seal is seated and is not crushed as it expands.
The groove, with seal, is outside of the joinery. Most likely, the seal will be hidden by a framed infill wall.
Seal arrives to us compressed in a roll that will expand to almost 10 times its original size, to ensure that the gap is sealed.
An unusual Mountain-Man house
September 18, 2012 – 3:08 pm
From Daizen News September 2012
Our designer Kevin Mattson does all our timber frame design as well as production drawings. He lives at an off-grid site and raised his child, a son, in a 300-sq.-ft house. Living in a trailer on site, he built the house one part at a time, from 1991 to 2001. The house contains a full-size kitchen (the kitchen table is a dining table too), a living room on the opposite side, and a bathroom in the middle. Above the bathroom is the loft space that is Kevin’s bedroom; it had been a hideaway for his son for many years. Now Kevin’s young son, grown up and in Florida, is going to have a baby soon.
This is such a small house, but when I entered it, I was not able to draw the floor plan in my head for a while. Nice design.
On Kevin’s house, the posts are scribe-fit to rocks, exposed beams are protected with copper, natural light features prominently, and the walls are finished with textured drywall and good natural materials. Because it is small, Kevin can look after it very easily.
The entry is flanked by two natural posts scribed on to a rock base. The full-length wood shutters can be closed for both sunlight control and home security.
The front elevaton, with landscaping.
Interior view of the timber framed entry, enhanced with fixed picture windows. Light from the roof skylight is softened through the matchstick screens.
A driftwood ladder leads up into the loft bedroom. The bath is entered through a hidden door in the cedar paneling, to the right.
View from the bathroom looking through its [open] hidden door.
When in the glass shower in the bath, this is the view to the rear fern garden. Kevin can see the day’s temperature (posted on the tree) during his morning shower.
The kitecn, with its cherry cabinetry and black granite counters. Appliances include a propane refrigerator and stovetop, and a cast iron stove.
Kevin’s living room and home office. The triangular picture window includes an exterior awning shutter that can be operated from inside with a cable and marine hardware.
I visited a similar house in Oliver, B.C., designed by Henry Y. Mann (www.henryyorkemann.com/project/quietude). It’s a 350-sq.ft. house with everything its owner needs, including a full-size kitchen.
These people chose to live in quality. They are not rich but they spend time and money with deep thought down to every detail. They compromised on size, but every moment they spend in their space is suffused with satisfaction.
This is what Daizen wants to support. If your budget is tight, narrow your house down to a smaller area but build with high quality material and craftsmanship so that you and your loved ones can feel the joy of life at home. We can help you! Let us know.
Building wisdom August 2012
August 15, 2012 – 10:56 am
from Daizen News
Building Wisdom
漁夫の利
Two dogs fight for a bone and the third runs away with it.
Daizen NextGen?
August 15, 2012 – 10:54 am
from Daizen News August 2012
I’ve given some thought to what wood tasks work best for young kids. I try my two children out on measuring, layout, and cutting (supervised, of course).
A special moment—kids totally engrossed by measuring.
Of course, boys love cutting. This hand saw guide is a great tool—anyone can cut wood by hand to 1/16 in. It’s useful even for fine professional work. We have ten more of these in stock; if you’re interested, please tell us.
Now Taro can sleep on the top bunk without his parents worrying too much!
Curves, Curves, Curves!
August 15, 2012 – 10:48 am
from Daizen News August 2012
Daizen is getting a growing reputation for curved structural members. Here is one of our summer shop fabrication projects.
Bent member (a series of gluelam timbers) awaiting fabrication to support structures.
Images above and below: the grain-matched curved gluelam looks just like natural wood that happened to grow in a curve.
This small curved truss member was cut out from large-dimension high grade timber and features enhanced chamfer details.
Staining (and protecting) timber
August 15, 2012 – 10:44 am
Why stain early?
The right finish protects timber, making it both more useful and more beautiful. The most important types of protection are from sun, from moisture, and from fungus. Also, applying an oil or other coating system will allow timber to cure very slowly. Curing slowly means fewer twists or checks: it means the timber stays stable.
It’s best to apply the coating to all timber surfaces including butt ends and “inside” (hidden) joinery such as tenons and mortises. The only chance to do this is when the individual, unassembled timbers are in our shop. We apply multiple coats of the wood finishes we use.
Wood colour and orientation (straight-grain or cross-grain) affect finished colour. End-grain surfaces, where the stain penetrates more into the fibre are darker. And flat grain timber shows a lighter colour than vertical grain because flat grain shows more of the summer growth ring (less dense than the winter grow ring). Surface texture also makes a difference: rough surfaces hold more stain and are darker than smooth surfaces.
Our choices: LandArk and BoMol
LandArk, formulated and produced in the United States, is the most natural system available to protect the wood fibre. It’s an oil finish that soaks deep into the wood.
We also use BoMol Woodcare Products, made by Bohme, a Swiss company. Besides being environmentally friendly (no volatile organic compounds), they are water-based and provide effective UV radiation protection and moisture damage protection.
We use 7 different colours in the BoMol system, ranging from transparent clear to very dark brown. Of course, final colour depends on grain orientation, denseness, and surface texture, as well as type of wood. Here’s a subset of our finishes:
LandArk Oil Finish
The most natural system available, it soaks deeply into the wood. It brings out the richness of the wood grain, a real advantage to enhance the quality of high-grade timber.
BoMol Clear
This transparent colour really is clear—it almost feels bare. It’s popular for those who want to keep the fresh look of the timber in its unadulterated beauty. It still contains the UV and fungus protection, though.
BoMol Natural
Our most common finish colour, a bit darker than Pine with more orange.
BoMol Cedar
A decidedly red colour.
Bomol Walnut
The darkest colour we use. It’s really a chocolate, but the wood grain is still visible. Stunning.
The other colours we carry are BoMol Pine, Chestnut, and Butternut. To see the full set plus more in-depth information about the staining process at Daizen, see the Downloads page on our website.
Building wisdom July 2012
July 9, 2012 – 4:00 pm
From Daizen News July 2012
The ache for home lives in all of us, the safe place where we can go as we are and not be questioned.
—Maya Angelou
Midyear check-in
July 9, 2012 – 3:59 pm
Generally speaking, Dazen’s production schedule is full to early October; our sales team is starting to discuss fall and winter jobs. If you’re interested in working with us and want a reasonable production schedule, we recommend starting discussion with us soon for any upcoming projects so that you secure a place in the production schedule.
We have a few grain-matched curved beam trusses in progress as well as other interesting projects coming this summer such as using 30 x 30-in. timber in a stairway. We will feature these in our August newsletter.
Latest test: timber drying
July 9, 2012 – 3:57 pm
Timber is tricky, and to achieve predictable, consistent results, Daizen specializes in controlling it. Many people don’t understand how wood can be so varied in its behavior: wood is wood, right? Well, in fact, there are many, many variables. Wood fiber is a natural product. No two trees, even of the same species, are exactly the same; timbers behave differently in different drying processes (air or kiln dry, for example).
Part of our timber drying test.
To clarify how we evaluate information, we conducted a test of kiln drying behavior, comparing two species of Douglas fir (coastal and interior) that we use very frequently. We compared wood from two locations on each tree (boxed heart: BH; free of heart center: FOHC) and, for the interior D. fir, we also compared two stages of dryness:green—live when cut—and standing dead (SD). (Coastal D. fir is not subject to as many fires, since it’s much wetter.)
Timbers are planed square, to exact size, in order to monitor the changes after drying.
The coast’s mild, rainy climate causes trees to grow larger and faster. In the interior’s climate, colder winters and hotter summers make for slow growth and very tight winter growth rings, which in turn means the fiber is denser than the coastal version.
We took samples by drilling to the core and placing the chips into sealed containers so as not to lose moisture.
We prepared six timber samples (coastal D. fir: BH and FOHC; interior D. fir: BH green and SD; FOHC green and SD) and planed them to the exact same size (7½ x 11½ in.) to measure the dimension loss—shown in this PDF chart in the “After drying” row. This chart is a comprehensive report of all our test results.
Timber Drying Test chart (PDF)
A normal moisture meter gives only an indication of moisture, not a precise reading. Moisture varies even in different spots in one timber; accuracy requires taking several readings to arrive at an average read. The most accurate measure comes from several readings plus measuring the weight difference after drying.
This moisture meter measures the weight difference before and after drying in its built-in oven. It also calculates for moisture content. This can also be done with an accurate scale and a microwave at home.
Since BH timber often splits lengthwise, kiln drying it may result in dryer timber since more surface area is open to moisture escaping. So we tested both BH and FOHC timber, for further comparison.
Our conclusions: if kiln drying, coastal Doug fir gives better results, but interior Doug fir may perform better in air drying. We have several test sets in air drying now; the full cycle will take two to three years, and we are measuring every couple of months.
Samples resting on their timbers after kiln drying.
Building Wisdom June 2012
June 6, 2012 – 10:49 am
From Daizen News
能ある鷹はつめを隠す
Nou aru taka ha tsume wo kakusu.
Direct translation—A clever falcon hides his claws.
Deeper meaning—Still waters run deep; cats hide their claws; who knows most, speaks least.
—Japanese proverb
Daizen ideas, shared
June 6, 2012 – 10:47 am
From Daizen News June 2012
A new sharing venue, Pinterest, is a visual online pinboard to organize and share the things you love. Daizen now has two Pinterest boards—one for inspiring visual 
inspirations (called Nice Work) and the other, Daizen Joinery, for interesting accomplishments.
Pinterest/Daizen/Daizen Joinery
Update–as of June 6, Daizen now has nine pinboards! The others include Stair, Garden/Exterior, Treehouse, Organic/Earth Building, Japanese Architecture, Places To Go, Fly Fishing, and a fledgling one for Methods.
You can “follow” either of these pinboards by clicking the red Request an Invite button. Or you can start your own Pinterest. It’s a feast for the eyes!
A ring eclipse
June 6, 2012 – 10:37 am
Dai just happened to be in Japan for an annular solar eclipse, where the moon passes in front of the sun, leaving only a bright ring of light. The next annular solar eclipse, also known as a ring of fire, will happen in 2023, so it’s a good thing Dai took this shot for those of us who may not have seen it.
Why chamfer?
June 6, 2012 – 10:34 am
From Daizen News Jun 2012
Timber at true square has a very sharp corner edge. For better safety in handling and in daily life, we take the edge off. There are also reports that fires start and catch more slowly with a chamfered edge compared to a square, sharp edge. And chamfering is a nice wood detail for emphasis, almost like the details on a Greek column.
This timber has no chamfer on it. You can see how sharp it is (and uncomfortable to bump against).
Here are the possibilities for chamfering. In any style, the size of the chamfer is always variable, based on customer preference. By default, we keep the size within a conservative range—a chamfer of about ¼ in.
Daizen offers two different edge profiles—45° and round. There are three styles for each edge profile:
Ski stop.
45° edge ski stop.
round edge ski stop.
This chamfer stops before the joint. This is the most typical style in timber framing because it frames the post and beam joint area nicely.
Ski stop with joinery enhanced.
45° edge enhanced joinery, with reveal.
round edge enhanced joinery, with reveal.
This chamfer style exposes the joint more noticeably with a small reveal, and it still contains the ski stop finish.
Through.
45° edge through chamfer.
round edge through chamfer.
This chamfer style could occur at any edge (with a few exceptions like the bottom of the beam where a post would meet it, as for window and door openings).
At complex joinery points such as a scarf joint, we recommend chamfering the joinery edge to enhance the look of the joinery. If the joint is not chamfered, and we achieve a nice, tight fit, the joint becomes very flat (both less dramatic and less visible). A chamfer here gives depth at the joint that enhances the look of the wood joinery.
Imagine this hip rafter focal point without through chamfering.
Building wisdom May 2012
May 7, 2012 – 12:53 pm
From Daizen News
Every building is a prototype. No two are alike.
—Helmut Jahn
Timber framers, log builders at Asilomar
May 7, 2012 – 12:49 pm
from Daizen News 1 May 2012
In late April, the Timber framers Guild and the International Log Builders Association held a joint conference at the Asilomar conference center, on the Pacific Ocean just south of Monterey, an old YWCA camp designed largely by Arts and Crafts architect Julia Morgan and built with beautiful redwood timber.
There were lots of valuable seminars, too many to list here, but the keynote speaker—John Francis (the Planet Walker)—is well worth following on TED and YouTube. He stopped using motorized vehicles for 22 years and stopped speaking for 17 years, as a protest statement following an oil spill He now shares his philosophy about the difference one person can make
in this world.
To find out more about Timber Framers Guild, please visit http://www.tfguild.org/.
For more about International Log Builders Association, please visit http://www.logassociation.org/.
Ask the expert: Sherpa
May 7, 2012 – 12:30 pm
from Daizen News 1 May 2012
We started using Sherpa fasteners in 2008, experimenting to determine their viability. Now, Sherpa is a must-have fastener in Daizen’s timber framing.
Many connections work with wood joinery, and we do not push ourselves to use Sherpa, but when we see a challenging situation (like a long spanned beam to receive a floor joist normally in a dovetail or simply a housing), we use Sherpa so as not to take any wood out of the main beam, thus keeping it at maximum strength. Dai asked Maik Gehlof, Sherpa’s manager of technical support, to explain the Sherpa to us.
Q. Maik, can you give a brief history of Sherpa and describe how they are used in today’s market in Europe? I use it not only structurally, but also for stairs and railings.
A. Hi Dai, Sherpa was born from the need for a connector that is easily installed and assembled.
In 2005, the Austrian company Harrer needed a connector solution that just wasn’t available, so they came up with their own: the first Sherpa. Made of steel, it worked just as well as their successors today made of cold-rolled aluminum. Steel had some drawbacks; it’s not only heavy, making the connector harder to handle, but it also rusts and is much harder to machine than aluminum. Optimizing the Sherpa connector started right at its birth and will continue on with every new generation.
Today’s European market is a very competitive one. Structures get larger, wackier, and more dependent on their connections, while having very tight budgets and timelines. The Sherpa connector is tailor-made for this.
Sherpa is a standardized system with a known set of parameters, so it’s easy and fast to design with them. As you mentioned, Dai, you are able to keep main beams at their full cross-section, so they can be smaller, saving resources and money. Since Sherpa connectors are pre-installed in the shop’s controlled environment and even the screws are labeled for easy verification, pre-manufacturing is fast and efficient, which Europeans are very keen on as it controls both cost and quality. Onsite, crane time is minimized, as there is no need to line up bolts or maneuver very heavy beams into place.
All told, you have a product that allows you to save money at several stages, but foremost it gives you a way to budget and schedule a project accurately. That is what the European competitive market is asking for and what the Sherpa connector is able to deliver.
The shape of the connector resembles the traditional dovetail, offering numerous advantages that Sherpa connectors borrow and improve on since there is no short grain to fail. This image shows the cuts along the long grain.
You are absolutely right, Dai, on the multitude of uses for the Sherpa connector. We have a dedicated series of connectors—the assembly series—designed for projects like stairs. And, of course, a Sherpa connector in the hands of a creative person can result in very interesting structures.
—Maik Gehloff
Below, an unusual use for Sherpa–table and benches.
A closer look at the connections and their curious symmetry.
Here’s how Sherpa connectors go together (YouTube).
New Daizen project gallery
May 7, 2012 – 12:20 pm
from Daizen News 1 May 2012
To believe our work, you need to see it. We’ve just refined the Daizen project gallery on our website. More photos, interesting detail shots, supporting info, and easy browsing tell the stories of our projects. It’s fun to look through. Please be our guest!
Building wisdom 1 April 2012
April 9, 2012 – 2:00 pm
from Daizen News
あわせもの、はなれもの
Awase mono, hanare mono
What may be joined may be separated.
a Buddhist outlook on the transience of all phenomena, including human relations—and timbers, for re-use!
wikimedia
NOTICES: Distributor wanted. Display for sale.
April 9, 2012 – 1:58 pm
from Daizen News 1 April 2012
Things are in flux at Daizen, and you may be interested in these opportunities.
Distributor wanted.
Daizen is looking for a distribution partner. We are a Shuswap- and Okanagan-based operation; for any area outside this region, we want to engage a partner to distribute our product. To discuss this, please reach Dai, dai@daizen.com, 250/679-2750. To learn more about Daizen Joinery, visit the Daizen website.
Display for sale.
Our splined, curved-peak trellis display is for sale—we’ve used it for a year and are thinking of a new display design.
Post distance is 8 ft. 4 in. x 12 ft. Roof size is 14 ft. 7½ in. x 20 ft. All recycled western red cedar, 4 coats of stain. This is meant to use as trellis; it’s not engineered to place a roof on top. For details, please email Dai, dai@daizen.com.
In progress: a curved dome
April 9, 2012 – 1:55 pm
from Daizen News 1 April 2012
We’re in the process of erecting a dome for a sun room in a house. Daizen is one of the few sources in B.C. that produces grain-matched, bent, structural timber on a regular basis. To do this, we have developed an entire system, including our proprietary heavy duty clamps.
There is a huge difference between bending a curve and a cut-out curve. Curved beams that are bent retain their continuous fibre, which is what’s required to withstand a compression and tension load. But cut-out timbers simply cut a shape out from a larger timber. This approach is not only limited in size; it can also disconnect most of the fibres entirely, eliminating its usefulness as structural timber. Also, a cut-out curve may split, especially if it is not cut out from free-of-heart-center (FOHC) timber, again limiting the size potential.
A curved beam truss, or a dome as in these pictures, is a structural member, feasible only by bending. In a setting of mostly right angles and straight lines, bent structural timber is not only functional—it’s also refreshing in its roundness.
Wood textures: it’s all in the touch
April 9, 2012 – 1:50 pm
from Daizen News 1 April 2012
Even if two houses had the same floor plan, there are ways we could deliver a different feel to each frame. These include joinery design, of course, but also the finish surface of timbers. Finishing timbers seems such a, well, surface task. But when someone comes into a house and feels the wood of a post (and many people do this instinctively), the touch of the surface evokes one of their deepest responses.
Stain color has a lot to do with the timber surface, but the final texture is also key in delivering the result to match what you are
looking for. Daizen has five different timber surface finishes to respond to the variety in demand. From smooth to rough, they change the feel, literally, of the total frame.
Standard
The most common finish. Our timber is normally dressed in our four-sided planer to be exactly square and dimensional, but for the stain to penetrate into the fibre, the timber surface will require further treatment.
Super fine
Depending on how fine a finish is desired, it may be applied along with a finer-grid sanding, or we may use a hand planer to achieve the surface. This is our standard for “high-touch” applications like stairs or for anyone looking for finest surface quality.
Comb finish
We raise the grain, for a patina effect to this finish. This is a great finish for those who want a bit of rustic feel yet desire a clean finish as well.
Rough sawn finish
Sawmill surface, for a true rustic feel. Rough sawn timbers are the only ones we can’t put in the planer, so the surface planes may not be totally square (common in traditional timber framing). This adds to the rustic feel. Joinery may be somewhat less tight in this finish, although structural integrity is never compromised.
Adze finish
The classic traditional finish, evoking a time before electric tools. We raise the grain, to give depth. A great finish for those who want a bit of rustic feel yet desire a clean finish as well. The faceted texture gives a warm, handmade feel.
Building wisdom 1 March 2012
March 9, 2012 – 12:00 pm
From Daizen News 1 March 2012
All rising to a great place is by a winding stair.
—Sir Francis Bacon
Design-build tip: the staircase
March 9, 2012 – 11:55 am
From Daizen News 1 March 2012
We have built many different styles of stairs in the past. Here’s one we recently installed.
The challenge in building a staircase is not the actual fabrication; rather, it’s getting it to fit well into the house. Over time, the walls, ceilings, and floors of existing houses tend to move out of plumb and square. Even on a new house, those planes usually have a period of settling that occurs even before the residents move in.
Two things to consider:
- If the stair is “hung” from the wall, the wall surfaces must be square and plumb to very exact tolerances, a task that is not trivial even on a new house. Following the plan closely and measuring carefully, sometimes after the frame has settled a little, is key.
- Another option is for the designer to be aware of potential settling and design the stair as free-standing. A free-standing staircase can add much interest to the design, as well as saving the client money, since less frequent measuring is needed. The greatest cost savings comes if we can eliminate the staircase-measuring visit entirely!
Other Daizen staircases
For a closer look at these staircases and the houses they fit into, you can download a full-color PDF by clicking the link in the right column on the Daizen website.
Free Tickets!
March 9, 2012 – 11:48 am
From Daizen News 1 March 2012
For the upcoming B.C. Log Home, Timber Frame, and Country Living show in Abbotsford March 10 and 11, we were given 10 tickets to give out to you. This is quite a show—besides the builders, the over 100 exhibitors include amazing artists in wildlife bronze, stone sculpting, and other media; furnishings and collectibles; marine items; resorts; and other surprising
people.
Call us (250.679.2750) for your free tickets—on a first come, first served basis.
Dai goes to the source
March 9, 2012 – 11:46 am
From Daizen News 1 March 2012
Part of an exchange Dai had with Max Closen, of My-Ti-Con Timber Connectors.
“Hi Max, at December’s CWC engineer workshop in Kelowna, I was surprised by your placing of anchor screws from the main posts. I would always insert screws from the floor beam side, like a spike, but your method makes more sense.
I believe others think as I do. Can you explain for my readers why it’s better to send the anchor screw in from the main post that receives the floor beam?”—Dai
Max says,
Here’s why. Fig. 1 below shows a typical joist-to-beam connection with ASSY structural wood screws installed at an angle. Installing screws on an angle uses their strongest property: withdrawal resistance.
Fig. 1. Insertion, at angles, of ASSY wood screws.
Commonly, screw-type fasteners are not driven into the wood on an angle but instead positioned perpendicular to a member’s surface. In perpendicular insertion, the weakest property of a screw-type fastener, its dowel action, is in force. A simple experiment can explain the difference.
Experiment:
- Take a ¼ x 4-in. wood screw and drive half of its length into the wood. Now bend the screw over. Notice how easy it was to bend the screw.
- Take a second screw and drive it into the wood under the same conditions. Now try to pull that screw out. As you saw, the screw didn’t want to come out from the wood. The same principle applies for the connection shown in Fig. 1, where the screw is driven in on an angle to the wood grain of the joist.
The two blue arrows in Fig. 1 indicate the correct direction for screw installation in order to maximize its capacity in this connection. The starting point of installation—whether from the top of the beam or the bottom of the joist—is up to the installer.
The red arrow indicates the least efficient installation direction. Installing the fastener as shown in red will not put the screw in tension and therefore will not use the screw’s high withdrawal resistance.
The range of the installation angle 
between the wood grain of the joist member and the screw axis is typically 
(Fig. 2). Here you see an application of the basic trigonometric functions we all learned in high school (a2 + b2 = c2).
Fig. 2. Definition of angle .
I caution against installing screws at angles smaller than 30°. As the angle decreases between the wood grain and the fastener axis, end grain application occurs and reduced capacities must be considered.—Max
ASSY structural wood screws are made in Germany by SWG Production, a member of the WURTH Group. Statements made here are to the best knowledge and understanding of the author and shall be confirmed by the structural engineer of record of the project. My-Ti-Con Timber Connectors Inc. and its owners assume no liability.
Timber accents: brackets
March 9, 2012 – 11:35 am
From Daizen News 1 March 2011
The new Daizen timber accents system is proving out very well. Our Timber Accents Design Guide has been much-requested and well-received. Accents available include beam ends, brackets, and trusses. Here is a look at the brackets section of the guide.
For an idea of how to use it, here are a few excerpts from the Brackets section. The page above shows the four basic bracket designs available; once you choose the bracket, you then choose from a wide variety of sizes, and from five different beam ends.
To order a bracket, you simply specify (1) the bracket design, (2) the size you want (for your convenience, recommended sizes are included), and (3) the beam end type. We do the rest.
What a great way to incorporate timber into your project with the least amount of extra work. For a PDF of the Daizen Timber Accents Guide, email dai@daizen.com.
Building wisdom 1 February 2012
February 1, 2012 – 5:02 pm
From Daizen News
七転び八起き /
nanakorobi yaoki /
stumble seven times but recover eight. /
Perseverance is the key.
Daizen at BUILDEX Vancouver
February 1, 2012 – 5:00 pm
From Daizen News 1 February 2012
BUILDEX Vancouver is one of Canada’s largest tradeshows/conferences, with over 13,000 design, construction, and real estate management professionals each year. This year it happens February 8 and 9.
Daizen will be at Buildex Vancouver with the BC Wood Specialty Group, in booth 1809. We are launching our new timber accent system and will be displaying this exciting new product at the show.
There’s always a big crowd, so it’s a good idea to register in advance. The show is free for attendees if you sign up before February 6, but you must register too. (You can register online.) UPDATE—when registering, put in discount code BXV12 for free admission to the trade show.
See you there!
Nanoose: a study of elements
February 1, 2012 – 4:56 pm
from Daizen News 1 February 2012
The 20 units in the Nanoose townhouse development (Vancouver Island) were spruced up with timber elements that Daizen supplied to the site. The accents added rhythm, perspective, interest, and the beauty of natural timber without costing an arm and a leg.
Exterior elements include a header on the garage and some porch details.
Knee braces are traditional joinery: mortise and tenon pegged through the horizontal member. To make on-site work clear and easy, the assembly screws into the wall.
Our new timber accent system launches
February 1, 2012 – 4:53 pm
From Daizen News 1 February 2012
Timber accents are a great way to add value to either a new house or an existing one. But creating the design and specifying details can be tedious and difficult—and, therefore, expensive.
Here’s where Daizen is stepping in.
We have invented a system of design components to adorn the façade of a building that still offers the flexibility to modify them as your project demands. You simply choose accent type (end, bracket, beam, truss), style, size, pitch (if appropriate), and quantity. We do the rest.
Here’s a quick look at our system.
This is the perfect use of your time. The designer, contractor, or building owner can select and order building components with ease. More complex requirements are an indication that
the variety of timber needed has “graduated” to a custom design. In this case, just send us your plans and we’ll develop a custom proposal for accents.
The Daizen Timber Accent System is fresh and new. We’ll be refining it for a while, so please visit our web site frequently to keep informed.
Building wisdom 1 January 2012
January 4, 2012 – 11:58 am
From Daizen newsletter
Raise high the roof beam, carpenters.
—Sappho
A look at timber connections
January 4, 2012 – 11:55 am
From Daizen News, 1 January 2012
In the Whistler round-to-square home, we saw some timber and heavy steel together. Now, let’s talk about joining timber to concrete. When frame posts have concrete bases–not uncommon–there must be a way to connect the timber to the concrete. Key factors are stability: prevention of horizontal movement, vertical
movement, and pivot; uplift; gravity; and moment. Further, since concrete retains moisture, a vapor barrier is needed between the two materials.
Daizen focuses on three methods: epoxy to epoxy, epoxy to mechanical, and steel plate.
As part of our epoxy testing, we compared four epoxy samples, two with a ¾-in. ready rod into timber of 6- and 12-in. sides and then two with a 1-in. ready rod into timber of 6- and 12-in. sides.
We’re summarizing our ideas about connections–an issue right at the heart of timber framing–through a series of articles: the Timber Connection Series. The first, Post to Concrete, is now available as a download
from the daizen.com website.