What Kind of Barn Do You Have?     External Link: Nails Determing Age

SCRIBE RULE FRAMING: Before 1790, timber was placed one piece atop another and connected by hand wrought nails. Each piece was individually crafted and fit in only one place in the frame. These are often found with "marriage marks", the 24" mark and layout from the drive.

SQUARE RULE FRAMING: After 1790, the square rule was used for joinery layout. Angle braces and quite a few parts of the frame are standardized using the square and fit in many multiple locations. To get standardization, joints are often "let in".

MILL RULE FRAMING: After 1850, the circular saw standardized piece size based on maximizing the timber. Whereas the labor costs had been high in the early days, lumber costs now exceeded labor costs which were less due to the circular saw.