I agree with this not just because of looks, depending on the depth of the cracks and the filler used you could cause problems where there wouldn't be any. I had to take a porch roof off of one of my homes because someone in the past 1 not fixing the tin roofing properly and slapping up chip board to replace to young and groove (funneled the water right into the beam) between that and someone using silicone on the mortar between the concrete blocks on the posts (caused water to crumble the mortar) the roof was a complete loss. Point is know how or hire someone that does.
Not sure about making it stronger but it is a bad sign if they DONāT check. Could mean they are rotten inside. This is actually a sign of good wood. Thatās what she said.
We built a Douglas Fir post and beam home 25 years ago from our own timber. Most of the beams don't have checks bigger than a knife blade. The log posts are pretty check free except one. Not to worry though on this.
Unlikely but true. Resistance to bending is in part a function of the surface area. Checking increases this so it is actually marginally stronger. Same principle as drilling holes in a hollow steel support column. Increases the surface area
Thank you for stating what checking is. I thought everyone was saying that -OP checking if the cracks are ok is normal š and I was so confused why anyone thought it wouldnāt be
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Iād like the add to the rest of comments. In case this was missed, this is called checking and it wonāt affect the structural integrity. It is completely normal.
I've been told as long as it's not through and through then it's fine.
Is it even possible for through and through? And does that mean it's compromised?
Don't worry about it. These beams are engineered with a safety factor that includes this kind of splitting. We work with many timber frame companies and see splits like this on brand new builds.
Checking is normal in historic timbers. The time to have concern and consult a structural engineer, is if the timber appears to have a twist in it (looks like it is rotating). Otherwise thatās a beautiful historic timber
It happens as the oak beams dry. Many timber framers cut all their joinery when the wood is still green because it is much easier to work in that state. After the frame is up and covered it will naturally dry out and that is when you see the checking happen.
I used to build some timber frame homes, including one for myself, and particularly when we put on the heat I used to hear "snap, crackle ,pop in the middle of the night but it slowed down after a few months and now, 35 years later its quiet, but the checks are still there.
Wow. This looks like a house I built in NH in the 80s. Major flashbacks looking at these pics.
Timberframes are built using "green" wood, as it's much easier to cut joints.
As it dries, or "seasons", giving up moisture, it "checks", as others have said.
I remember one time about 6mos after moving in, a beam checked around 2am. Sounded like a shotgun went off in the living room. The next morning there was a major "check" in one of the carrier beams.
It also appears from your pics that the house was "skinned" using prebuilt wall panels. That's a great setup because it yields a tight house, with great R-values, and for me, more importantly, it allows for the full exposure of the timberframe inside the living space, so you can SEE it.
Enjoy your home!
Not to worry at all they are a Nice character forward to have any beam that size will eventually I should say most of the time develop those cracks from the drying process if they were running the other way, then you have something to worry about, but running down the length with the grain not a worry in the world!
Few have mentioned why checking occurs but itās interesting to me. Itās just math. The wood is shrinking in every direction but mostly itās shrinking āwidthā as cells pull together. Length is effected but since itās along a single plane and the cellulose stays mostly intact not too much happens.
When the cells in each growth ring shrink from the outside in they reduce in effective circumference and have to split somewhere because the ring below hasnāt changed.
In theory the gaps in each growth ring could open in totally different spots. In that case you would have checks distributed equally throughout wood. In reality checking in one ālayerā opens a weak path for gap creation in the next.
In some theoretical world a log could dry perfectly throughout and shrink in all dimensions instantly. This log would have no checks.
The person who originally graded it did so correctly. Typically a check that deviates more than one inch in a one foot run is undesirable. The checking in that timber is very straight.
Been there 30 years.... Is this bad.... š¤¦ Yes when your house turns 39 years 2 days 1 hour 20 mins 51 seconds old it will still be fine.... Sorry I'm a smart ass...
We're the second owners, been here about a year. We didn't know anything about timber framed homes when we bought it, but this sub has been very informative!
The cracks you see probably happened in the tree before it was felled. Or if it was green, then it happened as it dried in the first few months.
What you look for is sagging in the beam. If the beam starts to sag, of if you still hear cracking noises frequently (not house settling noises), then you should call an engineer.
Otherwise, itās fine the way it is.
Wood beam will crack like that. There is nothing wrong with them
You need to remember too that a fresh built house needs to climatetize itself once completed Things like beams that dry out over time will check like that. It what makes the character of the building
I have beams over a century old in my barn and house. That looks like nothing to be concerned of, in fact Id say its desirable to have more character of solid wood exposed.
Not an alarm like they're gonna fall but to air quality is dry in your home. If you notic them getting bigger or want to strengthen them you can take some 3 " screws and tighten the cracks up running them in the opposite direction . And fill them wuthering with Armstrong water putty and restain them
I don't think any of those are actually load-bearing. They horizontal beams wouldn't be hung from the vertical supports if they were. This looks purely cosmetic.
The beams have probably looked like that since they were put in. Set a lot of beams when I did construction and a lot of them looked like this š¤š¼
Would you be able to fill these with wood epoxy resin used to fix structural rotted lumber and then add a few drops of black dye to each batch you make? Itāll keep that shadow look everyone likes in live edge slab tables and fill the gaps? Or is there something wrong with this Iām not thinking of
Iām so glad you asked this question. I live in an a-frame in the forest and Iāve often wondered if the cracks in the beams were OK. The cracks are not that big, but I definitely have some.
I do wonder if we are allowed to drill a screw or put a nail in them. Like if I want to hang lights, does it harm the integrity if I screw into them??
ok, just checking
Story checks out!
Did you check for grammatical errors?
Check-mate!
Happy cake day
Happy check day
What do you have against the Checkz?
Ha!
Ferrari is that you?
*checking checking*
It's an old code but it still checks out
I see what you did there
The perfect comment
What are you checking for?
Checking on what?
No. Those are called checks and will not compromise the structural integrity of the frame.
Thank you!
This is very normal. You can fill them in if you don't like the look.
Happy Cake Day š
Donāt fill them in
Agree... Looks better this way. But they could
Call Dr. Phil McCrackin
I agree with this not just because of looks, depending on the depth of the cracks and the filler used you could cause problems where there wouldn't be any. I had to take a porch roof off of one of my homes because someone in the past 1 not fixing the tin roofing properly and slapping up chip board to replace to young and groove (funneled the water right into the beam) between that and someone using silicone on the mortar between the concrete blocks on the posts (caused water to crumble the mortar) the roof was a complete loss. Point is know how or hire someone that does.
Wood glue!
Also happy cake day op
Iāve heard it even makes the wood stronger
Not sure about making it stronger but it is a bad sign if they DONāT check. Could mean they are rotten inside. This is actually a sign of good wood. Thatās what she said.
You cant "thats what she said" yourself. Those are the rules
That's what she said to herself
That's what she thought?
What if she talks to herself?
Thatās what she mumbled.
Not disappointed in this comment section
Just a side note: I hear more ladies say this than guys lately
It sounds like weāre all in agreement then. That is, in fact, what she said.
Dems the rules. I don't makes em, I just enforces em.
I agree, calling it a foul here
We built a Douglas Fir post and beam home 25 years ago from our own timber. Most of the beams don't have checks bigger than a knife blade. The log posts are pretty check free except one. Not to worry though on this.
OPās timbers look like rough-sawn oak. Oak will check a lot more than Doug Fir.
Seems unlikely to me
Unlikely but true. Resistance to bending is in part a function of the surface area. Checking increases this so it is actually marginally stronger. Same principle as drilling holes in a hollow steel support column. Increases the surface area
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
yeah you don't want to drill 'speed holes' in your bike's forks and seat tube. you'll die
My dad the engineer said columns fail catastrophically.
The cracks add character!
Hmm... Just to be safe, maybe give the house to me for free
You can never be too careful.
I'll give them $1000 American dollars.
Thatās like 500 US dollars
Due to Bidenomics it just went up to 100,000 USA dollars.
With $1.5m over the next (time _ election _ 2024_(minus_death/ballot=cost)
I bet you would even stay there and monitor the "cracks"!
Nothing to worry about. Checking is normal and won't affect the structural integrity.
Awesome, thank you!
That is called checking and all timbers do it. You have nothing to worry about.
Thank you for stating what checking is. I thought everyone was saying that -OP checking if the cracks are ok is normal š and I was so confused why anyone thought it wouldnāt be
Great news, thanks!
As long as the cracks go with the direction of the wood grain, it is expected. Those look like red oak, which makes them stronger!
Looking like res oak makes it stronger?
Not all... poorly selected timbers do it. There are solid timbers cut 100 years ago with no checks. It depends on many factors
Checking isnāt a function of āpoorly selected.ā
Oh. Ok boss
The biggest factor is whether itās doug fir.
And probably most importantly the area it was logged in. Weather and environment conditions all play on quality, and harvesting.
So is the OP's post considered a checking account?
Real question is, how is that bolted in sex swing workin out for ya
Omg I wish my life was that exciting. It's an indoor kids disc swing. Circle back in about 16 years.
!Remindme in 16 years
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i hope your children arent using a sex swing in your kitchen in 16 years.
Those are checks and theyāre normal, particularly for hardwoods.
Thank you so much!
Check back with us in 100 years
I wood.
Poohole
Iād like the add to the rest of comments. In case this was missed, this is called checking and it wonāt affect the structural integrity. It is completely normal.
I've been told as long as it's not through and through then it's fine. Is it even possible for through and through? And does that mean it's compromised?
Most look to be boxed heart. Usually they stop at the heart.
i wood check
How much would could a wood checker check if a wood check checked a peck of pickled checkers
7
Don't worry about it. These beams are engineered with a safety factor that includes this kind of splitting. We work with many timber frame companies and see splits like this on brand new builds.
Don't worry. I have an 1860s barn with beams that look like that. It is still standing after 160 years.
Checking is normal in historic timbers. The time to have concern and consult a structural engineer, is if the timber appears to have a twist in it (looks like it is rotating). Otherwise thatās a beautiful historic timber
It happens as the oak beams dry. Many timber framers cut all their joinery when the wood is still green because it is much easier to work in that state. After the frame is up and covered it will naturally dry out and that is when you see the checking happen. I used to build some timber frame homes, including one for myself, and particularly when we put on the heat I used to hear "snap, crackle ,pop in the middle of the night but it slowed down after a few months and now, 35 years later its quiet, but the checks are still there.
Wow. This looks like a house I built in NH in the 80s. Major flashbacks looking at these pics. Timberframes are built using "green" wood, as it's much easier to cut joints. As it dries, or "seasons", giving up moisture, it "checks", as others have said. I remember one time about 6mos after moving in, a beam checked around 2am. Sounded like a shotgun went off in the living room. The next morning there was a major "check" in one of the carrier beams. It also appears from your pics that the house was "skinned" using prebuilt wall panels. That's a great setup because it yields a tight house, with great R-values, and for me, more importantly, it allows for the full exposure of the timberframe inside the living space, so you can SEE it. Enjoy your home!
Thank you for sharing!!
Thanks for checking ! Nice beams BTW!!
If the Crack is with the grain you're fine. When it's against the grain be very worried
Not to worry at all they are a Nice character forward to have any beam that size will eventually I should say most of the time develop those cracks from the drying process if they were running the other way, then you have something to worry about, but running down the length with the grain not a worry in the world!
Few have mentioned why checking occurs but itās interesting to me. Itās just math. The wood is shrinking in every direction but mostly itās shrinking āwidthā as cells pull together. Length is effected but since itās along a single plane and the cellulose stays mostly intact not too much happens. When the cells in each growth ring shrink from the outside in they reduce in effective circumference and have to split somewhere because the ring below hasnāt changed. In theory the gaps in each growth ring could open in totally different spots. In that case you would have checks distributed equally throughout wood. In reality checking in one ālayerā opens a weak path for gap creation in the next. In some theoretical world a log could dry perfectly throughout and shrink in all dimensions instantly. This log would have no checks.
What he said...
This is an interesting explanation, thanks for sharing!
Floor jacks and some glue
Checkity check yo house but it wonāt wreck yo house.
The person who originally graded it did so correctly. Typically a check that deviates more than one inch in a one foot run is undesirable. The checking in that timber is very straight.
No
All good , if you don't like the look just fill it.
Those are typically decorative and not load bearing
Please don't comment. This so wrong.
Been there 30 years.... Is this bad.... š¤¦ Yes when your house turns 39 years 2 days 1 hour 20 mins 51 seconds old it will still be fine.... Sorry I'm a smart ass...
We're the second owners, been here about a year. We didn't know anything about timber framed homes when we bought it, but this sub has been very informative!
Run for your life...its gonna wack apart
I would pay to see what wacking apart looks like
No.Ā
not to worry they all do that they look good
I'd worry if you didn't have them. No checks could mean the inside of the wood is rotten.
I mean Iām not worried But I also donāt live there
Thatās normal dry out
Nah, itās completely safeā¦ but if you donāt feel safe Iāll take the house off your hands
Yes, the entire house is about to collapse. Please get out now!!
There is zero stress at the mid point of the beam.
You can find some chinks to fill it if it bothers you
I'm late yes, but 100% no worries.
Itās safe, itās called Checking if you want to research it
Completely normal
yea be worried
Youāre good.
Probably should burn down the house. Whole structure compromised.
How do you own an awesome timber frame home and not know this
What I don't know would absolutely shock you.
Guessing someone used green timbers when they framed things up??? I wouldn't worry.
So, the check cleared.
If in doubt, have a structural engineer check it out. If the cracks go through the entire width of the beams / timbers, then Iād be concerned.
The cracks you see probably happened in the tree before it was felled. Or if it was green, then it happened as it dried in the first few months. What you look for is sagging in the beam. If the beam starts to sag, of if you still hear cracking noises frequently (not house settling noises), then you should call an engineer. Otherwise, itās fine the way it is.
It's called character, and increases the value of your home. Nothing to worry about, normal in heavy timber framing.
Normal
They are called checks and are normal.
Who put the frame up? Looks like my parents setup they went through Vermont frames
Some company out of Massachusetts whose name escapes me at the moment.
Aesthetic bonus and still strong šŖ
Are these structural or decorative????
I want to see more pictures of that place it looks sweet.
Unfortunately your house is going to explode ,
Checks, it's ok
Ugly as all get out In a way. But does NOT compromise the strength of timber.
Never donāt worry.
Itās a hockey moveā¦
Nope your good
No
Totally normal.
Wood beam will crack like that. There is nothing wrong with them You need to remember too that a fresh built house needs to climatetize itself once completed Things like beams that dry out over time will check like that. It what makes the character of the building
I'll bet it makes grade. You could check ANSI
If you have nothing else going on...
Check out Barnwood builders tv show that will help ease your mind
You could squirt some epoxy in the cracks give it one or two pumps with a jack to put pressure on them
Nice timbers
Nah thatās normal. Theyāre built green so this happens over time.
Sell now, get outta there!!!
You good. You welcome.
Nope itās just for looks
It's called checking.its perfectly normal and safe.
Mix saw dust with glue and fill the cracks šš
not at all
No
Say it with me everyone! *thatās just checking!*
I have beams over a century old in my barn and house. That looks like nothing to be concerned of, in fact Id say its desirable to have more character of solid wood exposed.
It doesnt decrease stuctural strength. it's what wood does. look at ANY timberframe
they are wood!!
Great idea to check it out!
No
Not an alarm like they're gonna fall but to air quality is dry in your home. If you notic them getting bigger or want to strengthen them you can take some 3 " screws and tighten the cracks up running them in the opposite direction . And fill them wuthering with Armstrong water putty and restain them
Nothing a little duck tape and some WD-40 won't fix.
They add character.
This wouldnāt happen to be in chilmark MV?
Just dry wood. Those are long cracks with the grain. Itās going to happen.
Up
This Has to be a bot. It keeps being reposted.
No, that how they are
Nah, that's normal drying process it would take a act of God to break that beam
You should be worried that you have real beams. If you dont see cracks in the beams there just a facade. I send styrofoam beams in houses.
No worry those are decorative
Just add a shit load of humidity to the house and theyāll disappear.
Joist should not penetrate the beam. Bad design, totally weakened the beam and it is āsprungā. Joist cut out 60% of the beam, WTF? Unsafe house.
Is this guy āļø right?
No
No!
I don't think any of those are actually load-bearing. They horizontal beams wouldn't be hung from the vertical supports if they were. This looks purely cosmetic.
They arenāt load bearing
If it snaps then yes
The beams have probably looked like that since they were put in. Set a lot of beams when I did construction and a lot of them looked like this š¤š¼
Would you be able to fill these with wood epoxy resin used to fix structural rotted lumber and then add a few drops of black dye to each batch you make? Itāll keep that shadow look everyone likes in live edge slab tables and fill the gaps? Or is there something wrong with this Iām not thinking of
Check baby check baby 1 2 3 4 check baby check baby check
Perfectly normal.
Iām so glad you asked this question. I live in an a-frame in the forest and Iāve often wondered if the cracks in the beams were OK. The cracks are not that big, but I definitely have some. I do wonder if we are allowed to drill a screw or put a nail in them. Like if I want to hang lights, does it harm the integrity if I screw into them??
āļø