Re-Creating a Medieval Linhay Barn
Linhay barns are a type of farm building that is commonly found in the West Country of England. They are typically made of timber and have a long, open-fronted ground floor that is used for storing hay, grain, and other agricultural products. The upper floor is often used for threshing and winnowing crops. Linhay barns were first built in the Middle Ages, and many of them are still standing today. They are an important part of the West Country’s rural heritage, and they provide a valuable glimpse into the lives of medieval farmers.
Brief for the project
The brief for this project was to re-create a medieval linhay barn on the site of the old barn. The new barn needed to reflect the medieval style of the original building. The new barn is constructed with three fully arch braced trusses, one ITB frame, full hip, wind braced purlins. It will be fully thatched and built using locally sourced west country Oak.
Construction of the new barn
The timber frame of the new barn was constructed using traditional methods. The oak beams were morticed and tenoned together and then secured with wooden pegs. The trusses were then assembled and raised into place. Once the timber frame was in place, the roof was then thatched.
Medieval Features
The new barn was built with a number of features that reflect the medieval style of the original building. These features include:
- Fully arch braced trusses: These trusses are made up of a series of curved oak beams that are braced together with vertical and diagonal members. They are very strong and durable and they can support a heavy load.
- ITB Frame: This type of frame is used to create a large, open space on the ground floor of the barn. The ITB frame consists of two large oak beams that are supported by a series of smaller beams.
- Full Hip Loop: This type of roof has four sloping sides that meet at a ridge at the top. It is a very strong and weathertight roof design.
- Wind braced purlins: These are horizontal beams that run across the roof trusses. They help to strengthen the roof and prevent it from being blown away by strong winds.
- Thatching: Thatching is a traditional roofing material that is made from straw or reeds. it is a very good insulator an is also very durable.
- Locally sourcedwest country oak.
The timber frame of the new barn was built using locally sourced west country Oak. Oak is a very strong and durable wood, and it is also very resistant to rot. It is therefore the ideal wood for building a barn that is designed to last for many years.
Conclusion
The re-creation of this medieval linhay barn is a valuable contribution to the West Country’s rural heritage. The new barn is a faithful replica of the original building and is a testament to the skills of the master craftsmen who built it.
