Comfort Starr House — materials
A rough list to take to a sawmill. The frame is cut green — full-sawn timbers straight from the log — and pinned with dry oak pegs: as the timbers dry they shrink onto the pegs, and the drawbored joints pull tighter. The mill cuts every stick to its section and length; the framer cuts the joints.
Each length is the piece’s cut length plus 10 in for tenons and trimming, rounded up to the foot. A piece longer than 24 ft is ordered in two or more lengths joined by a scarf (A2-16), except a post or a rafter is not scarfed. Board feet are full-sawn: width × depth × feet ÷ 12. Sizes follow the model, which is proportioned from measured drawings, not engineered — a frame that will carry a load is sized by an engineer first.
| Section (in) | Length (ft) | Pieces | Board feet | For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 × 10 | 21 | 2 | 280 | tie beam at a bent (the chimney girt), across on the plates |
| 8 × 9 | 20 | 4 | 480 | gable end girt, south gable · gable end girt, north gable · cross girt at a bent |
| 5 × 13 | 15 | 2 | 162 | summer beam |
| 8 × 8 | 15 | 12 | 960 | wall post, front and rear walls (corner and bent) · wall girt, bay 1 (front and rear) · wall girt, bay 3 (front and rear) |
| 8 × 8 | 9 | 2 | 96 | wall girt, bay 2 (front and rear) |
| 8 × 8 | 8 | 4 | 171 | lean-to wall post, rear wall (corner and bent) |
| 6 × 10 | 9 | 2 | 90 | garret chimney header |
| 7 1/2 × 7 1/2 | 21 | 8 | 788 | sill, front wall · sill, rear wall · lean-to sill, front wall · lean-to sill, rear wall |
| 7 1/2 × 7 1/2 | 20 | 4 | 375 | sill, gable end · bent sill, on a cellar cross wall |
| 7 1/2 × 7 1/2 | 12 | 2 | 112 | lean-to sill, gable end |
| 3 3/4 × 11 1/4 | 15 | 1 | 53 | attic summer beam |
| 7 × 6 | 21 | 6 | 441 | wall plate · lean-to wall plate |
| 7 × 6 | 20 | 2 | 140 | gable top girt at the plate line, south gable · gable top girt at the plate line, north gable |
| 7 × 6 | 12 | 2 | 84 | lean-to gable top girt at the plate line, south end · lean-to gable top girt at the plate line, north end |
| 4 × 10 | 11 | 20 | 733 | garret floor joist, plate to summer |
| 4 × 10 | 8 | 6 | 160 | garret tail joist at a chimney |
| 3 × 12 1/4 | 15 | 1 | 46 | attic summer beam |
| 4 1/2 × 6 3/4 | 18 | 2 | 91 | end principal rafter, in the gable |
| 4 1/2 × 6 3/4 | 16 | 2 | 81 | end principal rafter, in the gable |
| 3 7/8 × 7 1/8 | 16 | 4 | 147 | principal rafter, at a bent |
| 7 1/4 × 3 3/4 | 16 | 2 | 72 | purlin, laid flat under the commons |
| 6 1/4 × 3 1/2 | 16 | 2 | 58 | purlin, laid flat under the commons |
| 4 × 5 | 8 | 1 | 13 | opening header |
| 4 × 5 | 4 | 18 | 120 | opening header |
| 4 × 5 | 3 | 2 | 10 | opening header |
| 3 × 6 | 16 | 18 | 432 | first-floor joist, along the ridge, sill to sill |
| 3 × 6 | 14 | 16 | 336 | lean-to loft floor joist, beside a rafter |
| 3 × 6 | 13 | 18 | 351 | lean-to first-floor joist, sill to sill |
| 3 × 6 | 10 | 32 | 480 | first-floor joist, along the ridge, sill to sill · first-floor chimney trimmer · floor joist, wall girt to summer |
| 3 × 6 | 9 | 3 | 40 | hall joist between the cross girts · stairwell trimmer, front and rear of the opening |
| 3 × 6 | 8 | 2 | 24 | collar on the principals |
| 3 × 5 | 20 | 17 | 425 | lean-to rafter (32.8°, 7.72/12) |
| 4 × 2 5/8 | 18 | 20 | 315 | common rafter (48.1°, 13.38/12) |
| 4 × 2 5/8 | 13 | 3 | 34 | common rafter, headed off at a roof opening |
| 4 × 2 5/8 | 12 | 3 | 32 | common rafter, headed off at a roof opening |
| 4 × 2 5/8 | 10 | 2 | 18 | roof header at a chimney |
| 3 3/4 × 2 5/8 | 8 | 2 | 13 | wind brace, principal to purlin in the roof plane |
| 2 1/2 × 3 1/2 | 10 | 8 | 58 | opening jamb stud, gable (to the rake) · gable stud above the plate line, top cut to 13.38/12 |
| 2 1/2 × 3 1/2 | 9 | 57 | 374 | wall stud, front and rear, first story · opening jamb stud, full story · gable stud, first story · opening jamb stud, gable (to the rake) |
| 2 1/2 × 3 1/2 | 8 | 32 | 187 | gable stud above the plate line, top cut to 13.38/12 · lean-to wall stud · opening jamb stud, full story |
| 2 1/2 × 3 1/2 | 7 | 60 | 306 | wall stud, front and rear, second story · opening jamb stud, full story · gable stud, second story · opening jamb stud, gable (to the rake) · gable stud above the plate line, top cut to 7.72/12 |
| 2 1/2 × 3 1/2 | 5 | 9 | 33 | cripple stud, under a rough sill or over a header · gable stud above the plate line, top cut to 13.38/12 · gable stud above the plate line, top cut to 7.72/12 |
| 2 1/2 × 3 1/2 | 4 | 36 | 105 | window rough sill · cripple stud, under a rough sill or over a header · gable stud above the plate line, top cut to 7.72/12 |
| 2 1/2 × 3 1/2 | 3 | 21 | 46 | cripple stud, under a rough sill or over a header · gable stud above the plate line, top cut to 13.38/12 · window rough sill · gable stud above the plate line, top cut to 7.72/12 |
| 2 1/2 × 3 1/2 | 2 | 11 | 16 | cripple stud, under a rough sill or over a header |
9,390 board feet of green timber in 483 pieces.
7 members are longer than a 24 ft stick and are scarfed.
Pegs: 150 of dry oak, 1 in by 10 in, estimated joint by joint — order a tenth over. Keys: 4 dry oak keys for the tusk tenons.
Boards: floors about 2,691 sq ft at 1 in thick (≈2,691 board feet); roof boards about 1,817 sq ft at 1 in (≈1,817 board feet). Add for waste.
Not in this list: stone, brick and mortar; siding, trim, windows and doors; roofing; nails. Nothing here is priced.
Cut list, piece by piece
| Piece | Qty | Section (in) | Cut length (in) | Ends |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sill, front wall | 1 | 7 1/2 × 7 1/2 | 459 | A6-17 corner · A6-17 corner; scarfed A2-16 |
| Sill, rear wall | 1 | 7 1/2 × 7 1/2 | 459 | A6-17 corner · A6-17 corner; scarfed A2-16 |
| Sill, gable end | 2 | 7 1/2 × 7 1/2 | 225 | A6-17 corner · A6-17 corner |
| Bent sill, on a cellar cross wall | 2 | 7 1/2 × 7 1/2 | 225 | A6-17 tenon into the front sill · A6-17 tenon into the rear sill |
| First-floor joist, along the ridge, sill to sill | 9 | 3 × 6 | 173 1/4 | A4-14 cogged over the inner half of the gable sill · lapped on half the bent sill |
| First-floor joist, along the ridge, sill to sill | 3 | 3 × 6 | 105 | lapped on half the bent sill · lapped on half the bent sill |
| First-floor chimney trimmer | 1 | 3 × 6 | 105 | lapped on half the bent sill · lapped on half the bent sill |
| First-floor joist, along the ridge, sill to sill | 9 | 3 × 6 | 173 1/4 | lapped on half the bent sill · A4-14 cogged over the inner half of the gable sill |
| Wall post, front and rear walls (corner and bent) | 8 | 8 × 8 | 167 3/4 | A6-22 foot on the sill · A6-02 head tenon into the plate; A6-05 girts housed and pegged |
| Wall girt, bay 1 (front and rear) | 2 | 8 × 8 | 165 | A6-05 housed tenon into the post, 2 pegs · same |
| Wall girt, bay 2 (front and rear) | 2 | 8 × 8 | 97 | A6-05 housed tenon into the post, 2 pegs · same |
| Wall girt, bay 3 (front and rear) | 2 | 8 × 8 | 165 | A6-05 housed tenon into the post, 2 pegs · same |
| Wall stud, front and rear, first story | 23 | 2 1/2 × 3 1/2 | 88 | A2-07 stub tenon into the sill · A2-07 stub tenon into the girt |
| Opening jamb stud, full story | 50 | 2 1/2 × 3 1/2 | 71 3/4 – 88 | A2-07 stub tenon · A2-07 stub tenon |
| Opening header | 21 | 4 × 5 | 24 – 81 | A2-07 into the jamb · same |
| Window rough sill | 21 | 2 1/2 × 3 1/2 | 24 – 35 | A2-07 into the jamb · same |
| Cripple stud, under a rough sill or over a header | 42 | 2 1/2 × 3 1/2 | 5 1/2 – 39 1/2 | A2-07 stub tenon · butts the rough sill or header |
| Wall stud, front and rear, second story | 28 | 2 1/2 × 3 1/2 | 71 3/4 | A2-07 stub tenon into the girt · A2-07 stub tenon into the plate or top girt |
| Gable end girt, south gable | 1 | 8 × 9 | 224 | A6-05 into the corner post · A6-05 into the corner post |
| Gable top girt at the plate line, south gable | 1 | 7 × 6 | 224 | A6-05 into the corner post · A6-05 into the corner post |
| Gable stud, first story | 12 | 2 1/2 × 3 1/2 | 87 | A2-07 stub tenon into the sill · A2-07 stub tenon into the girt |
| Gable stud, second story | 10 | 2 1/2 × 3 1/2 | 71 3/4 | A2-07 stub tenon into the girt · A2-07 stub tenon into the plate or top girt |
| Opening jamb stud, gable (to the rake) | 8 | 2 1/2 × 3 1/2 | 72 5/8 – 107 7/8 | A2-07 stub tenon into the top girt · cut to the rake under the end rafter |
| Gable stud above the plate line, top cut to 13.38/12 | 16 | 2 1/2 × 3 1/2 | 20 5/8 – 100 7/8 | A2-07 stub tenon into the top girt · birdsmouthed under the end rafter |
| Gable end girt, north gable | 1 | 8 × 9 | 224 | A6-05 into the corner post · A6-05 into the corner post |
| Gable top girt at the plate line, north gable | 1 | 7 × 6 | 224 | A6-05 into the corner post · A6-05 into the corner post |
| Cross girt at a bent | 2 | 8 × 9 | 224 | A6-05 into the front post · A6-05 into the rear post; A6-32 summers, A3-16 joists |
| Summer beam | 2 | 5 × 13 | 165 | A6-32 tusk tenon and peg into the girt · same |
| Floor joist, wall girt to summer | 28 | 3 × 6 | 109 1/2 | A3-16 into the wall girt · A3-16 dovetail into the summer (A6-32) |
| Hall joist between the cross girts | 2 | 3 × 6 | 97 | A3-16 into the girt · same |
| Stairwell trimmer, front and rear of the opening | 1 | 3 × 6 | 97 | A3-16 into the girt · same |
| Wall plate | 2 | 7 × 6 | 459 | A6-02 on the post heads · same; scarfed A2-16 over a post |
| Common rafter (48.1°, 13.38/12) | 20 | 4 × 2 5/8 | 194 5/8 | A6-20 seat on the plate, 8 in tail · A6-19 at the ridge |
| Common rafter, headed off at a roof opening | 6 | 4 × 2 5/8 | 124 1/4 – 140 5/8 | A6-20 seat on the plate, 8 in tail · A3-16 into the roof header |
| Roof header at a chimney | 2 | 4 × 2 5/8 | 101 1/8 | A2-08 tusk tenon into the trimmer rafter · same |
| End principal rafter, in the gable | 4 | 4 1/2 × 6 3/4 | 179 5/8 – 194 5/8 | A6-20 seat on the plate · A6-19 at the ridge, pinned |
| Principal rafter, at a bent | 4 | 3 7/8 × 7 1/8 | 171 1/2 | A6-23 heel tenoned into the tie beam · A6-19 at the ridge, pinned |
| Collar on the principals | 2 | 3 × 6 | 85 1/2 | A6-12 lapped to the principal · same |
| Purlin, laid flat under the commons | 2 | 6 1/4 × 3 1/2 | 170 5/8 | A6-10 tenon into the principal · same |
| Purlin, laid flat under the commons | 2 | 7 1/4 × 3 3/4 | 170 5/8 | A6-10 tenon into the principal · same |
| Wind brace, principal to purlin in the roof plane | 2 | 3 3/4 × 2 5/8 | 83 1/4 | A6-38 tenon into the principal · A6-38 tenon into the purlin |
| Tie beam at a bent (the chimney girt), across on the plates | 2 | 8 × 10 | 240 | A6-01 lapped over the plate · same |
| Attic summer beam | 1 | 3 × 12 1/4 | 165 1/2 | A6-32 tusk tenon into the tie or the gable girt · same |
| Garret floor joist, plate to summer | 20 | 4 × 10 | 118 1/8 – 118 1/2 | on the wall plate · A3-16 dovetail into the summer |
| Garret tail joist at a chimney | 6 | 4 × 10 | 83 – 84 | on the plate · A3-16 into the header |
| Garret chimney header | 2 | 6 × 10 | 97 | A2-08 tusk tenon into the joist · same |
| Attic summer beam | 1 | 3 3/4 × 11 1/4 | 165 1/2 | A6-32 tusk tenon into the tie or the gable girt · same |
| Lean-to sill, front wall | 1 | 7 1/2 × 7 1/2 | 459 | A6-17 corner · A6-17 corner; scarfed A2-16 |
| Lean-to sill, rear wall | 1 | 7 1/2 × 7 1/2 | 459 | A6-17 corner · A6-17 corner; scarfed A2-16 |
| Lean-to sill, gable end | 2 | 7 1/2 × 7 1/2 | 134 | A6-17 corner · A6-17 corner |
| Lean-to first-floor joist, sill to sill | 18 | 3 × 6 | 141 1/2 | A4-14 cogged over the inner half of the sill · A4-14 cogged over the inner half of the sill |
| Lean-to wall post, rear wall (corner and bent) | 4 | 8 × 8 | 82 3/4 | A6-22 foot on the sill · A6-02 head tenon into the plate; A6-05 girts housed and pegged |
| Lean-to wall stud | 16 | 2 1/2 × 3 1/2 | 82 3/4 | A2-07 stub tenon into the sill · A2-07 stub tenon into the plate or top girt |
| Lean-to gable top girt at the plate line, south end | 1 | 7 × 6 | 133 | A6-05 into the corner post · A6-05 into the corner post |
| Gable stud above the plate line, top cut to 7.72/12 | 8 | 2 1/2 × 3 1/2 | 17 1/2 – 63 3/4 | A2-07 stub tenon into the top girt · birdsmouthed under the end rafter |
| Lean-to gable top girt at the plate line, north end | 1 | 7 × 6 | 133 | A6-05 into the corner post · A6-05 into the corner post |
| Lean-to wall plate | 1 | 7 × 6 | 459 | A6-02 on the post heads · same; scarfed A2-16 over a post |
| Lean-to rafter (32.8°, 7.72/12) | 17 | 3 × 5 | 220 1/2 | A6-20 seat on the plate, 8 in tail · A6-44 foot lapped to the joist beside it, pegged · A6-39 head lapped onto the house rafter under it |
| Lean-to loft floor joist, beside a rafter | 16 | 3 × 6 | 149 | on the wall plate · A6-44 the rafter's foot lapped into its side, pegged · A3-16 into the house's rear wall girt |