[Greenbuilding] protecting outdoor wooden structure from future decay (or at least delaying it)

[RT]

Reuben wrote:

> I am less keen on having to replace are the various elements ofthis  
> timber frame structure which, not being attached with deck
> screws but with mortises & tenons, are not going to be individually
> replaceable with any ease.

> A roof I've considered. Part of this will get a roof in any case

> relatively tall narrow structure, the roof is not going to do much
> for the lower timbers of this structure, unless I enclose it completely
> like some covered bridges

Now that the Sochi games are over and I've had a chance to rejuvenate this  
old carcase from the effects of trying to live days in two time zones with  
a 9-hour difference between them, I thought that I should mention  
something that had been in the back of my mind since Reuben posted the  
snippet above.

Mortise & tenon joints in outdoor service conditions are prone to trapping  
moisture that often leads to premature rot of the wood in the joint and  
potential structural failure.

No doubt, the timberframe bridge-builders of old were aware of this and  
developed the "covered bridge" design strategy as the best approach to  
minimising the possibility of structural failure.

In 2014, the pallete of materials available for claddings is a bit  
different so there's no reason to mimic the centuries-old styles (ie  
wooden boards for the most part).

I think that salvaged tempered glass would provide some excellent design  
opportunities, not just for the roof but for a ventilated rainscreen-type  
sidewall cladding as well.

The glass, in addition to lasting forever with no maintenance, would not  
obscure views & light (either of the landscape or the fine joinery) and ...


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Rob Tom            ADT1
Kanata, Ontario, Canada