Michael J. Cummings
PO Box 641
East Middlebury, Vermont   05740
Workshop in Ripton, Vermont
Phone 802--388--0118
Fax 802--329--2157

I specialize in the Design, Joinery and Raising of one of a kind Timber Frame Homes, Barns and Additions. Serving all
New England and Eastern New York

Member
Timber Framers Guild

E-mail:  workshop at houseinthewoodsvermont . com
replace the at with an @

Completed August 2007. 16’ by 30’ two story great room timber frame addition to a 10 sided house on Lake Champlain in Addison Vermont.  The addition ends in a half  octagon which creates the very dramatic roof timber frame shown in the picture . Hemlock frame with a Tried and True danish oil finish.

Michael at work.

Now booking for the 2008 construction season, please contact me to discuss your project. Currently in the workshop this Winter -- 16’ by 64’ Sheep barn timber frame.

Recent Projects:

Post and Beam or Timber Frame -- What’s the difference ?

Timber frames are comprised of heavy timbers fitted together with mortise and tenon joinery and  wooden pegs.
 Post and beam construction uses the same heavy timbers, however in many cases the major structural connections are made with steel plates and bolts.

My structures draw inspiration from the English, Japanese and New England timber frame traditions. Each is cut by hand with traditional joinery and is held together with ash pegs.

Completed May 2007

 30’ by 56’ two story pool / greenhouse timber frame
in Lakeville, Connecticut.
 The timber frame is douglas fir with a Watco oil finish. 

Completed Summer 2006

 16’ by 26’ carriage house with a pine timber frame in Vergennes, Vermont.   This project included building custom 4’ by 7’ doors. .

Completed Fall 2005.

32’ by 46’ Residence in Grafton, New Hampshire --   The timber frame is cut from pine timbers  milled by the owner with a portable sawmill from trees cut down for the house site. 
Livos oil finish ( German all natural finish with a citrus fruit based solvent).