Why hand-crafted, custom fit joinery from the craftsmen at Lancaster County Timber Frames makes such a difference.

There is a wide range of means and methods to create timber joinery and while many of them are comparable, there are some significant differences that have consequences on the visual appearance and long-term stability of the timber frame. 

In our shop we have made a decision to prioritize the traditional American trade of carpenters and craftsmen, working with their minds, bodies, and hands, to create strong, stable, and structural works of art through the practice of cutting and carving wooden joinery by hand. This does not mean that we don’t use power tools, circular saws, mortisers, and routers, but that the acts of making these cuts are all done with well trained hands. It does mean that all of our final finishing on the joinery is done with chisel and mallet in hand, shaping and carving the joinery, completing the final touch with care. 

In upcoming mailers, I will explain how we’ve come to this decision, how it impacts our choices as a company, and what the results have been over the years.

Josh Coleman