Exploring the Types and Examples of Hammerbeam Roofs

Hammerbeam roofs are a type of medieval roof construction that originated in Europe. They're characterized by diagonal beams that support the roof's weight.

Hammerbeams are typically made of wood and are often decorated with carvings or other ornaments. The most famous example of a hammerbeam roof is the one found in Westminster Hall in London.

The hammerbeam roof at Westminster Hall is a prime example of this type of construction. It features 17 hammerbeams that support the roof's weight.

In hammerbeam roofs, the diagonal beams are often supported by vertical posts, which helps to distribute the weight evenly.

A hammerbeam roof is a type of roofing support that allows the support structure to extend beyond the length of the original piece of timber.

This method of construction is often used in English Gothic architecture. Hammerbeam roofs are not considered true trusses, as they use a method that rests one support beam inward and on top of the other.

The short pieces of timber that project from the wall and serve to anchor the tie beams are sometimes referred to as hammer-beams. This technique was widely used during the English Gothic architecture period.

A hammerbeam roof typically consists of horizontal brackets projecting at the wall-plate level, like an interrupted tie beam. These brackets support hammerposts, which are vertical timbers that support a purlin and are braced to a collar-beam above.

The properties of a hammerbeam roof make it a popular choice for medieval architecture. It is often highly decorated, as seen in the example of St Edmundsbury Cathedral's hammerbeam roof, which features 30 angel figures.

There are different types of hammerbeam roofs, each with its own unique characteristics.

A single hammerbeam roof is the most basic type, consisting of one pair of hammer beams supported by curved braces from the wall and hammer posts or arch-braces on top to support the rafters and collar beam.

A double hammerbeam roof, on the other hand, has a second pair of hammer beams, making it a more complex and often more decorative design.

Some hammerbeam roofs have a false hammerbeam roof, which can be defined in two ways: either there is no hammer post on the hammer beam or the hammer beam joins into the hammer post instead of the hammer post landing on the hammer beam.

Here's a breakdown of the different types of hammerbeam roofs:

A hammerbeam roof is a type of timber roof truss that allows it to span greater than the length of any individual piece of timber.

To achieve this, a hammerbeam roof replaces the normal tie beam with short beams, known as hammer beams, which are supported by curved braces from the wall. These curved braces help to distribute the weight of the roof evenly.

A hammerbeam roof can be highly decorated, including ornamented pendants and corbels. Church roofs often feature carved angels, adding a touch of elegance and sophistication.

There are different types of hammerbeam roofs, including single hammerbeam roofs, which have one pair of hammer beams, and double hammerbeam roofs, which have a second pair of hammer beams.

A false hammerbeam roof can be defined in two ways: either there is no hammer post on the hammer beam, or the hammer beam joins into the hammer post instead of the hammer post landing on the hammer beam.

The Pilgrims' Hall in Winchester Cathedral Close is the earliest hammer-beamed building still standing in England, dating back to its construction in the 14th century.

One of the most impressive examples of a hammerbeam roof is the one in Westminster Hall, which spans an incredible 20.8 metres (68 ft. 4 in.) and features a large arched piece of timber carried across the hall for added strength.

The hammerbeam roof in Westminster Hall is 7.77 metres (25 ft. 6 in.) wide, and the height from the paving to the hammerbeam is 12.19 m (40 ft.).

The curved braces and beams in Westminster Hall are richly moulded, and the spandrils are filled in with tracery, as is also seen in the hall of the Middle Temple in London.

The Great Hall at Stirling Castle features a hammerbeam roof that was completely restored in the late 1990s, using green oak from 350 Perthshire trees to fabricate and erect 57 hammerbeam trusses spanning approximately 15 metres.

The restoration of the Great Hall at Stirling Castle was a complex process, requiring each of the 57 trusses to be made with a slightly different pitch and span to ensure a level and straight ridge.

Here are some notable examples of hammerbeam roofs: