Plank Frame Barn Construction

By John L. Shawver
David Williams Company, Publishers 232-238 William Street, New York 1904
Copyrighted 1904, By David Williams Company.
This matter was originally presented in the columns of Carpentry and Building , in response to continued requests for information concerning the plank frame system of construction, which for many years past has been growing in popularity in various sections of the country, more particularly the Central West. The author has given a great deal of attention to the subject, having been associated with the construction of plank frame barns for a long period, and he is, therefore, competent to discuss the matter from the standpoint of the practical builder. Barns of the character indicated have been extensively erected through various sections of the West, and it is with a view of presenting valuable data concerning the method of construction that this little work has been compiled. In the course of his articles the author points out the advantages of the form of construction referred to and describes wherein there is a saving of time, labor and material, an important consideration, especially in sections of the country where timber for building purposes is not in plentiful supply.

By John L. Shawver.
The growing interest in the plank frame barn, as manifested by inquiries which have emanated from many quarters, calls for specific information which will enable every builder and farmer to avail himself of the many advantages offered by this system of construction. The system has been in use in Central Ohio for the past 20 years, and has been rapidly growing in favor wherever people have had an opportunity of investigating its merits. During these years the system, which was at first somewhat crude and undeveloped, has been gradually improved, until to-day, after many of the most severe tests, it is believed to have reached very near perfection as regards economy of material and labor, strength of frame, convenience of arrangement and durability of structure. The advantages offered by this method of construction are: