Oak-framed buildings have been with us for centuries and they are here to stay. They are beautiful, durable and environmentally friendly, and by marrying traditional and modern materials they can be brought to a very high standard of energy-efficiency.

This is a practical book on the technique of timber-frame construction for carpenters, builders and aspiring self-builders, but it will also be a source of inspiration to anyone who appreciates beautiful buildings.

Topics covered include:

• Past and present

• Making a start

• Understanding the structure

• Frame design

• The construction process

• Raising the frame

• Walls and roofs

• Second fix

• Finishing off

Full-colour photographs show projects by the author and others both complete and under construction, and structural details are clearly explained both in photographs and in three-dimensional drawings. Here is a traditional craft brought fully up to date for the 21st century.