Hammerbeam roof
|
The older part of St Edmundsbury Cathedral has a mediaeval hammerbeam roof ornamented with figures of 30 angels. The roof is boldly painted and gilded; the figures on the hammerbeams were painted in 1948, whilst the rest of the roof was coloured in 1982. Decorating the ceiling in this way was used to link the nave with the modern extension. |
Pevsner’s Architectural Glossary (second edition) was published by Yale University Press in 2018. It defines a hammerbeam roof (or hammer-beam roof) as a structure with: ‘horizontal brackets projecting at the wall-plate level like an interrupted tie beam; the inner ends carry hammerposts, which are vertical timbers that support a purlin (or horizontal longitudinal timber) and are braced to a collar-beam above.’
Primarily used as a type of roofing support, a hammerbeam roof permits the support structure to extend beyond the length of the original piece of timber. This method may be more time consuming to construct, but it can be less expensive since it does not require long pieces of timber.
However, a hammerbeam roof is not considered a true truss, since it uses a method that rests one support beam inward and on top of the other. In this sense, it is similar to a corbel.
Tie beams are typically put in place to support this method of construction. The short pieces of timber that project from the wall and serve to anchor the tie beams are sometimes referred to as hammer-beams.
Hammerbeam roofs are often highly decorated. This technique was widely used during the English Gothic architecture period.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
Notes from BSRIA Sustainable Futures briefing
From carbon down to the all important customer: Redefining Retrofit for Net Zero Living.
Principal Designer: A New Opportunity for Architects
ACA has launches a Principal Designer Register for architects.
A new government plan for housing and nature recovery
Exploring a new housing and infrastructure nature recovery framework.
Leveraging technology to enhance prospects for students
A case study on the significance of the Autodesk Revit certification.
Fundamental Review of Building Regulations Guidance
Announced during commons debate on the Grenfell Inquiry Phase 2 report.
CIAT responds to the updated National Planning Policy Framework
With key changes in the revised NPPF outlined.
Councils and communities highlighted for delivery of common-sense housing in planning overhaul
As government follows up with mandatory housing targets.
CIOB photographic competition final images revealed
Art of Building produces stunning images for another year.
HSE prosecutes company for putting workers at risk
Roofing company fined and its director sentenced.
Strategic restructure to transform industry competence
EBSSA becomes part of a new industry competence structure.
Major overhaul of planning committees proposed by government
Planning decisions set to be fast-tracked to tackle the housing crisis.
Industry Competence Steering Group restructure
ICSG transitions to the Industry Competence Committee (ICC) under the Building Safety Regulator (BSR).
Principal Contractor Competency Certification Scheme
CIOB PCCCS competence framework for Principal Contractors.
The CIAT Principal Designer register
Issues explained via a series of FAQs.
Conservation in the age of the fourth (digital) industrial revolution.
Shaping the future of heritage
Embracing the evolution of economic thinking.