Courses
We are announcing new classes for 2025 every week and there are many more to come!
Please join our newsletter, or check in later this winter to see our full schedule!
Heartwood on the Road: Timber Framing in South Carolina
February 10-16, 2025
full
$1,575
We're taking our core curriculum on the Road! Join us in South Carolina to learn the basics of timber framing. Timber framing is a traditional framing technique that is incorporated into all building projects at the Heartwood School. In this class, we will lay out and cut the joinery for a complete frame and assemble it, and then raise it at the end of the course.
INSTRUCTORS
Click image for instructor bio.
Timber Framing
- Mar. 9 - 14, 2025 (6 DAYS) $1,350 FULL
- May 5 - 10, 2025 (6 DAYS) $1,350
- Jun. 8 - 13, 2025 (6 days) $1,350
- Nov. 16 - 22 2025 (7 days) $1,575
(Cost varies by course length.)
Timber framing is a traditional framing technique that is incorporated into all building projects at the Heartwood School. In this class, we will lay out and cut the joinery for a complete frame and assemble it, and then raise it at the end of the course.
INSTRUCTORS
Click image for instructor bio.
Business Practices for Timber Framers
March 21 - 22, 2025
$450
We may know how to design and cut the ultimate timber frame, but do we know how to build our business for success? We will answer your business questions through small groups and informal discussions. Topics will include: starting up a business (legal structure, insurance), marketing, sales, operations (employees, management), contracts and contract types, leadership, and estimating the cost and sale price of producing a timber frame.
INSTRUCTORS
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Timber Framing Intensive
Spring: March 24 - April 12, 2025 FILLING FAST
SUMMER: July 7 - 26, 2025
$3,950
This course combines the core of our previous timber framing, homebuilding, and apprenticeship curriculums into one package for those who seek more opportunities for development than is provided in our one-week courses.
INSTRUCTORS
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INTRODUCTION TO CADWORK
APRIL 16 - 17, 2025
$450
Learn the program tailored for timber framing. With cadwork, complex joinery such as scarf and shoulder joints are easily drawn, same goes for elements like Hip and Valley rafters. And cadwork is not only used to create accurate 3D models but also generates detailed drawings and lists. After all, it’s the software that was used to rebuild Notre-Dame de Paris timber frame and used by most of the leaders in the industry in North America.
During this 2-day course, you will learn the basic skills needed to carry out your timber-frame projects, from 3D modelling to shop drawing and list (bill of material, cut list) exports.
INSTRUCTORS
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CARPENTRY For Women+
April 21 - 25, 2025
$1,125
This course gives students a basic overview of general terms, tools, and techniques used in the field of carpentry. Learn how to safely use a range of power and hand tools while building a small structure such as a garden shed or outbuilding. We will cover house framing and layout while looking at the anatomy of a structure, addressing floor, wall, and roof systems. Whether you're planning on building a shed, a house, just want to learn some basic carpentry skills to become more self-sufficient or want to learn the vocabulary to be able to communicate with a contractor, this course will help you gain the confidence you'll need.
INSTRUCTORS
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Timber Framing With Power Tools
April 27 - May 2, 2025
$1,350
In this course, we will fabricate and raise a timber frame, but with a modern twist, safely integrating power tools into the process.
INSTRUCTORS
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Introduction to compound roof framing
may 12 - 17, 2025
$1,440
Roof framing is where the most exciting and challenging geometry comes to life in a timber frame - especially when there are hips and valleys involved. In this class, we will explore compound roof framing using a variety of approaches for different learning styles. Each student will create a desk-size scaled down model of a hip roof corner to take home, and then together as a class we will create one full-size hip roof, complete with professional joinery detailing like backing angles and housed jack rafters.
Photos courtesy of Timberhomes Vermont
INSTRUCTORS
Click image for instructor bio.
SketchUp For Timber Framing (Intro/Beginner)
May 19-21, 2025
$675
This course introduces SketchUp, a powerful and effective, yet user-friendly, 3D computer drawing and modeling program. This workshop will cover the basics of the software and work toward completing a small timber frame design from rough sketch to client presentation. This class is designed for the beginning SketchUp user. No previous experience is required or assumed.
INSTRUCTORS
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The Art of Drafting
MAY 22-23, 2025
$470
Drawing has always been an essential tool for building. This two-day course will teach the skills to put pencil to paper, the traditional art of drafting. Students will learn about the types of drawing mediums, drafting tools and aids, drawing to scale, the various views, lettering, and drawing conventions.
INSTRUCTORS
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COLBURN BARN RESTORATION: ARKANSAS
May 29 - June 4, 2025
$1,500
This week-long course will focus on providing hands-on instruction in timber frame repairs as part of the restoration of the Colburn Barn in Canehill, AR. In this course we will cover theory and methods for documenting and assessing old buildings for repair, material handling, safe techniques for dismantling portions of the frame, as well as various repairs and replacement techniques.
The workshop is held in collaboration with National Center for Preservation Technology and Training.​​
Photo credit: Russell A. Cothren
INSTRUCTORS
Daniel Lee and Brendan Doyle
Converting Trees to Timber
June 22 - 27, 2025
FULL
$1,550
In this course, students will learn how to grade timbers for strength and appearance, understand how to maintain a woodlot, safely and efficiently cut trees, and convert those round logs into square timbers.
INSTRUCTORS
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Timber Framing for Women & Gender Non-Conforming Folks
JUNE 22 - 27, 2025
$1,300
This course is offered as a comfortable space to learn the basics of timber framing for people who may not feel welcomed in the almost-uniformly male culture found in construction. It is specifically and only for women and gender non-conforming folks and will be taught by two women timber framers.
INSTRUCTORS
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Fundamentals of Scribing
AUGUST 4 - 9, 2025
$1,350
Students in the scribe joinery course will learn to join round timbers to both square and other round pieces, and out-of-square timbers to other out-of-square faces on adjoining pieces, practicing various methods developed by a variety of cultures and adapted for modern use.
INSTRUCTORS
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ScriBING II - BuBBLE SCRIBING
AUGUST 10 - 16, 2025
$1,575
In this course we will focus on building students’ experience and confidence in the development and cutting of the coped mortise-and-tenon joint in round, or wild, timber. This course will emphasize visualization of joinery, a critical skill for achieving the desired results, and efficient cutting strategies, including safe use of the chainsaw and other power tools. We will also discuss the merits and limitations of other approaches to working with wild timber, including laser lofting, laser scribing, and mitered joinery. Students will have the opportunity to learn about and practice the subtleties of scribing posts to foundation stones, a perennial favorite.
INSTRUCTORS
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Raising & Rigging
August 18-22, 2025
$1,175
This course teaches the few, but necessary, knots needed by timber framers to safely lift heavy loads and equipment. The rigging of blocks and use of tackle will be demonstrated. You will learn how to construct and adjust a gin pole (luffing) using various rope hitches and tackle. Time permitting, we will show you how to arrange, rig, and raise tripods and shear legs (A-frames) and maneuver a load with a jib-arm. More maneuverable and versatile than shear legs, the gin pole requires more rope and guying points (anchors).
Splicing synthetic and manila ropes for eyes and joining lengths will be practiced. Finding lift points, center of gravity (CoG), and how to secure pieces and bents for raising will also be covered, as well as crane signaling and the basics of crane setup and operations.
INSTRUCTORS
Click image for instructor credentials.
GRINDBYGG - NORWEGIAN STYLE TIMBER FRAMING
August 31 - September 6, 2025
$1,575
The Norwegian Grindbygg Timber Frame is one of more than twenty distinct timber frame styles in Norway. During this course we will construct a grindbygg with a focus on traditional work sequence, tools and techniques. The course will culminate with a hand raising of the frame.
INSTRUCTORS
Click image for instructor bio.
FUNDAMENTALS OF WOODWORKING
September 15 - 19, 2025
$1,225
This course is an intensive and comprehensive introduction to wood-working tools, materials and techniques. It's ideal for those who want to build their own collection of hand and power tools and want to know how to evaluate their needs and what to buy in the future. Each day students will work on a different individual project of their choice, will learn to understand the nature of various woods, how to select appropriate joinery for the job at hand, and how to use and maintain tools properly. To learn how to set up and maintain the ideal home workshop, students will become familiar with jigs and measuring devices, chisels and planes, routers and jointers, table saws and band saws, plate joinery, sanders, drill press techniques, and much more.
INSTRUCTORS
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Cabinet Making
September 29 - October 3, 2025
$1,225
The goal of this hands-on workshop is to develop basic cabinetmaking skills, use of fine woodworking tools and materials, and various joinery techniques. We will focus on accuracy of layout, detailed familiarization with planes, chisels and sharpening, as well as portable and stationary power tool use. Students will each build their own pine floor cabinet; the joinery will include carcase, face frame, dovetail drawer and raised panel door construction techniques. While hand tool use will be encouraged, options for using power tools in various operations will be demonstrated. Registrants must have some previous carpentry/woodworking experience or sufficient tool handling skills.
INSTRUCTORS
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Timber Frame Preservation
OCTOber 6-10, 2025
$1,125
A guide to understanding, documenting, and repairing historic timber framed buildings. Students will learn how to document and date historic structures using both traditional methods and high-tech gadgetry. The course will address the evolution of preservation philosophy, the United States Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties, and applying for grants and tax credits, as well as the repair of timber framed buildings.
INSTRUCTORS
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Timber Frame Design & Joinery Decisions
October 17-19, 2025
$675
This course is geared towards timber framers and covers the architectural and structural basics for designing timber frame structures that are both beautiful and functional.
INSTRUCTORS
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INTRODUCTION TO STAIR BUILDING
OCTOber 25-26, 2025
$540
Embark on a journey into the art and science of stair-building with this immersive two-day
workshop designed for both beginners and seasoned carpenters alike. Whether you're
envisioning a new set of exterior stairs for your home, a garden pathway, or a striking focal point
in a commercial project, this course will equip you with the essential knowledge and hands-on
experience to bring your vision to life.
INSTRUCTORS
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OCTOber 27-31, 2025
$1,240
In this workshop, students will build a scaled-down model of a quarter-turn staircase with winders and curved stringers. Students will create a hand-drawn stereotomical drawing to solve for the stair layout.
INSTRUCTORS
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Cruck Framing
Cruck frames use large curved timbers to transfer the weight of the roof directly down to the foot of the posts. In this workshop, we will build a small, three-bent cruck frame, from tree selection to layout to raising.
INSTRUCTORS
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Demystifying Roof Geometry - The Stereotomical Approach
Roof geometry is a challenge most framers must face eventually. These problems can be solved either mathematically or visually (drawing by hand). The skill of drawing complex shapes and practicing stereotomy has been taught for centuries by the French, German, and Japanese carpentry traditions; it enables the carpenter to directly measure working angles and scale dimensions rather than calculating them.
INSTRUCTORS
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STEREOTOMY: BUILDING THE “MOORE” END TABLE
In this two-day workshop, students will build their own French Trestle; a specific design called the Moore End Table. Students will learn to create 2D stereotomical drawings using the visuospatial part of the brain, a drafting square, a pencil, and a ruler. The knowledge of stereotomy is so important that UNESCO has classified it on the List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity as of 2009.
INSTRUCTORS
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Make & Take Work Bench
In the Workbench Course, students will build a take home Workbench with a laminated 2-1/2 x 24 x 70 work top and a "knock down" mortise & tenon joinery base. Bench features will include a Dominy wood vise and routed "dog holes" (for future use when a metal vise - sorry not course supplied - is added)
Students will work periodically as a group on "standard" part fabrications and individually on personal workbench components using a mix of hand and power tools to complete their work bench.
Course topics will cover workbench design, material selection, and the use of tools.
INSTRUCTORS
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Introduction to compound joinery
This class will explore a Japanese approach to the challenges of compound joinery that result from a splay-legged form. We will be utilizing both a numeric/trigonometric method as well as a developed drawing method to directly discover the layout geometry with a hand made, full-size drawing. Students will create their own stool to take home at the end of the week, cut using hand tools. This is an intermediate-advanced class and prior experience with hand tools, mortise-and-tenon joinery, and basic trigonometry is encouraged.
INSTRUCTORS
Click image for instructor bio.
english Scribe
The majority of historic timber framed structures in the United States built before 1800 were scribed using a system brought here from the British Isles. It did not involve the use of plumb bobs, piquage, or full-size drawings lofted on a shop floor.
In this seven-day workshop, we will scribe a small English barn. We’ll use both “tumbling” and the “double cut”, the two traditional scribing methods employed in the English scribe. We’ll learn about plumb and level marks, two-foot marks, and we’ll use traditional parts numbering systems. The workshop will culminate with the raising of the frame.
INSTRUCTORS
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SketchUp to Layout (Intermediate)
This class is for students who have a good command of the basics of SketchUp as described in the beginner class and are ready to learn additional skills. We'll start with a brief overview of components, scenes, and styles, and learn how to use tags to turn on and off features in different scenes.
INSTRUCTORS
Click image for instructor bio.
Holidays Observed:
The Heartwood School office will be closed on the following holidays:
New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
INTERESTED IN AN APPRENTICESHIP?
Get the details on our apprenticeship program!
Please review our policies on withdrawal/cancellation, discounts and taking pictures at the school. Prospective students should also review our Code of Conduct and Waiver and Release of Liability.
*If you think a discount applies to your order, please review the policy above and send us an email before, or at the time of registration. We do not see comments and additional information attached to orders in a timely manner and require an additional email in order to process discounts.
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