Joining techniques in nineteenth- and early twentieth-century Belgian timber roofs

An intimate knowledge of joining techniques is crucial for the documentation and restauration of old timber structures, yet these assemblies are often overlooked in historical studies or during on-site assessment. To help bridge this gap, this paper provides an overview of the joining techniques used in Belgian timber roof structures during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Based on the author’s on-site observations of over 50 roofs, four types of joint are described and analysed: (1) timber-to-timber joints, (2) nailed and bolted layers of timbers, (3) iron straps, stirrups and plates, and (4) connections between timber and iron members. Thus, this study intends to help researchers and heritage specialists to better interpret connection details during investigations of nineteenth- and early twentieth-century timber roofs.