Scarfs and Spline joints are two different ways of creating end of beam to end of beam connections.
A scarf joint is when (2) beams are joined end to end to create one long beam from two short ones. Scarf joints can be either joined with sloping interfaces or just square cuts. Some are stronger than others. There are some general rules that should be followed with scarf joints which we illustrate in the details that follow.
A spline is a separate piece of wood (typically dried hardwood like oak) that allows you to connect (2) adjacent beams in the same axis at a post. The reason you would use a spline instead of (2) tenons at the end of the beams is because the post where the meet does not have enough width to allow for two tenon that are of proper length for pegs. Therefore, you use the free tenon, or spline, as it is called to create the connection. The details that follow clarify the spline joint much better than words.
Table of contents
Scarf Joints
Rough Sawn – Scarf Joint – 8×10 Beams with Keys
This scarf joint is placed over a knee brace. You will either have to clip the knee brace tenon or cut out a relief in the table for the tenon. The centerline of the scarf is the reference to lay this out. Please lay out and cut the scarf joint and test fit and tune until there is a good fit. Only at that point should you layout the remaining joinery on the timbers. The top of the plate is the reference, any variation in top plate heights should be justified to the bottom.
Scarf Joint over a Post – Tying Joint
When your timber isn’t long enough, centering a scarf joint over a post can be a feasible condition. Although it is not the optimal place, it can work fine if there are braces on both sides and the joinery into the scarf is up to snuff. In this scenario the wall assemblies are raised first and then the truss is dropped into its housing. The bottom chord of the truss settles on a post top tenon and has a dovetail lap at the top. You can find this assembly in our 24’ x 32’ Pavilion frame.
Timber Frame Joint Details – 2023 Entries
Timber frame joint details on (34) individual letter size sheets. All drawings are printable and delivered instantly through a download link. Joint and Peg entries – 2023.
Hardwood Spline Joint – 30″ Long
This spline joint accomplishes connecting (2) frames with girts. The 8” post does not give enough room to allow for proper tenon lengths on both girt ends (especially after housing) so the hardwood spline is connected to one girt with (2) Ø1” pegs and then runs through the post and connects to the opposite girt with the same geometry. Splines are also great for facilitating safe and quick raisings.
