Modern Hammer Beam Roof

This replaced the previous flatter roof which was destroyed in the 1992 windsor castle fire.

Modern hammer beam roof.

The hammer beam truss this is a type of truss much used for supporting open timbered roofs especially in gothic halls and churches. This timber truss works well in a variety of spans and roof pitches and is one of the most popular designs. The hammer beam roof is as stated considered to be a natural evolution of the triangular framing adopted at the foot of the truss ed rafter roof and consists generally of hammer beam struts collars and curved braces. Hammer beam hb trusses are certainly an engineering marvel and are one of the most open and regal truss types out there.

Not a true truss the construction is similar to corbeled masonry see corbel in that each set of beams steps upward and inward by resting on the ones below by means of curved braces and struts. There are many ways to embellish this design from through tenons and radius cuts to decorative pendants or finials. A hammerbeam roof can have a single double or false hammerbeam truss. These short beams are called hammer beams and give this truss its name.

The roof of richard ii s westminster hall in london 1402 with a 70 ft 21 m span is an excellent example. It uses reinforced posts curving slightly outward from the wall to support the weight. Decorative metal strapping adds the special touch of the blacksmith s craftsmanship to this truss design. It is believed to have been first used in the great hall of westminster palace fig.

Here at vtw we occasionally create traditional hb trusses but we often work with and design modified hb trusses. The hammer beam roof is the crowning achievement in english gothic architecture and open timber roof design. A spectacular modern example of a hammer beam roof is the new gothic roof of st george s hall at windsor castle designed by giles downe and completed in 1997. The hammer beam bent is often associated with religious structures great halls or great rooms.

Hammer beam roof english medieval timber roof system used when a long span was needed. 48 built in 1397 and different forms of it may be seen in many of the english buildings of the fifteenth century. In a hammerbeam roof a series of short wooden horizontal beams curved support beams and wooden struts support the weight of the roof. A hammerbeam roof is a decorative open timber roof truss typical of english gothic architecture and has been called the most spectacular endeavour of the english medieval carpenter.

Without a metal tie rod and turnbuckle deep wall posts and or concealed steel connectors are needed to handle the forces this configuration will develop. They are traditionally timber framed using short beams projecting from the wall on which the rafters land essentially a tie beam which has the middle cut out.