Axe marks from someone's two hands.
Authentic hand-hewn beams and timbers squared with a broadaxe, with visible tool marks, mortise pockets and peg holes from the barns and cabins they came from.
- Sizes: Commonly 6 by 6 to 12 by 12 inches
- Lengths: Four to twenty feet or more
- Look: Hewn faces, pegs and mortises
What it is, and why it matters.
A hand-hewn beam began as a log that a builder squared with a broadaxe and an adze, leaving long, flat facets and subtle ridges that follow the swing of the tool. Many carry mortise pockets, peg holes and scribe lines from the frame they once held. No machine can reproduce that irregular, human surface.
We source hand-hewn timbers from old barns and cabins, clean them, remove hardware and check them for movement. Nashville builders and designers use them for exposed ceiling beams, mantels, fireplace surrounds and rustic posts. We help you plan size, span and how a beam should be supported.
Four things done right.
Real hewn faces
Broadaxe marks, not a router pattern.
Frame history
Pegs and mortises show where it lived.
Checked for use
Cracks and movement are noted before sale.
Planning help
We talk through span, support and finish.
From first call to hand-hewn beams.
- 01
Share the space
Ceiling height, span and where the beam sits.
- 02
Choose pieces
Pick from photos or at the yard.
- 03
We prepare
Clean, de-nail and check each beam.
- 04
Deliver
Delivery with handling advice.
Hand-Hewn Beams across Middle Tennessee.
We supply this in 28 cities, from downtown Nashville to Franklin, Murfreesboro, Hendersonville and Dickson.
Hand-Hewn Beams: common questions
Can hand-hewn beams be structural?
Some can, but reclaimed beams should be assessed by a structural engineer or your builder before carrying load. We supply the beams and advise on the question, and many customers use them as decorative or supported members.
Do hand-hewn beams crack?
Old beams have checks, which are natural drying cracks. Properly dried, they are stable, and we point out any that matter.
How do I get a price for hand-hewn beams?
Fill in the form or call or text 615-357-7797, ideally with photos and measurements. We confirm what is involved and send a written price.
Ready to talk about hand-hewn beams?
Photos and measurements, or a sample visit, and a written price. A real person calls back, usually the same day.