Timber framing is a traditional building technique in which the craftsperson cuts joinery into large timbers and raises a structure that is held together with mortise and tenon joints instead of metal fasteners. Beyond the beauty of the building style, timber framing is a craft deeply rooted in place and community. Timber framing uses locally harvested wood, relies on local sawyers and builders, and brings neighbors together to raise the structure.

Yestermorrow's 4-week Timber Framing Certificate Program is designed for those interested in jumpstarting their craft. Whether you're pursuing a career in timber framing, building your dream home, or simply want to learn more about this historic building style, this course is for you. No prior building skill or experience is necessary. 

Through a combination of workshop time, lectures, and site visits, you will learn how to lay out, cut, and raise a timber frame and the essential design considerations, from site selection to enclosure. Our dedicated teaching team of industry professionals is excited to share their knowledge and love of timber framing with you!

Skills you will learn in this program include: 

• Cutting joinery with hand tools (chisel, axe, adze, boring machine, and more)
• Efficient use of power tools (beam saw, chain mortiser, chainsaw, and more)
• Integrating curved timbers
• Sharpening and maintaining tools
• Hand-drafting plan sets

The lectures will include: 

• Timber frame engineering
• Foundation types and considerations
• Site design and selection
• History of timber framing
• Enclosure systems

REVIEWS

The strongest part was seeing how a hobby I love dearly translates to a professional career. I shied away from power tools in my first course, romantically focused on hand-tooling everything. After several projects, I returned to Yestermorrow to learn how professionals approach it, and Wynne, Trish, Ariel, and Jacob were amazing in making it make sense, as well as teaching how to move quickly without sacrificing quality. I left this course confident I could accept a timber framing job and deliver a quality result on time. Since leaving, I have done just that, selling my first framed kit I was able to cut in a week, which would have taken me a month before.

-Tanner St. Pierre, 2024

Yestermorrow's sliding scale tuition model is not available for certificate programs. Information on financial aid can be found here.