Hand Hewn Beams

WHAT ARE HAND HEWN BEAMS?

A “hewn” beam refers to the rougher texture which is caused by the use of hand tools. True hand hewn beams were created by carpenters and craftsmen who used an adze and a slick over a hundred years ago. The characteristics of wood that has been hewed by hand, can be seen on many of the historic buildings in New England. At the time the only way to turn a round tree into a square beam was to chip away pieces of the trunk to finally create flat, workable construction surfaces.

WHY HAND HEWN BEAMS?

Hand hewn beams will typically have mortise and tenon joints so they fit together to create and stabilize a structure. If someone wants rustic or reclaimed wood, these pieces are often exactly what they need. They’re prized for mantles, ceiling beams, and other structural features that add beauty and character.

HAND HEWN BEAMS CRAFTSMANSHIP

Hand hewn beams is a wooden wonder due to their labor-intensive craftsmanship. They are the product of muscle powered labor, where a long piece of lumber has been transformed from a round log to a square plank using only hand-held tools. Due to this process, they are a prized commodity among builders and homeowners who prefer antique building materials and the carpentry techniques used to create them.

Once the plank has been created, hand hewn beams can be sawed into different lengths to be used as beams, joints, or trusses. But what actually makes this product special? Since the beams come from reclaimed structures over 100 years old, they were often created from rare wood, some of which are extinct. The age of the wood creates beautiful patterns and textures from the years of use and are known for their strength, stability, and versatility.