Riving, Shingling, and Siding a Timber Frame Cabin
6 Days: Monday - Saturday, October 20th - 25th, 2025, 8 AM - 5 PM
Tuition: $1,250.00
Ages: 16 & Up
Instructor: Ethan Higgins
Instructional Delivery Method(s): In person
Prerequisites: None
Program Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Program Description:
This 6-day immersive course will teach students how to split (rive) wood using traditional hand tools to create the materials needed for roofing, siding, and interior lath work of a timber frame cabin.
The key focus of this course is riving—the art of splitting wood along the grain to create durable, weatherproof building materials. Beginning with cedar logs in the round, students will learn to select clear sections, then bucking them to length using a two-man crosscut saw. From there, students will use a froe and club to rive out shakes, refining them with a hatchet and drawknife to create historically accurate wooden roofing materials.
Beyond roofing, students will also produce and install accordion lath, a traditional split-wood lattice used to support lime plaster on interior walls. Throughout the course, students will gain a deep understanding of wood grain, learning to read and manipulate it for optimal splitting, all while practicing the patience and precision required to work with natural materials.
On Day 6, students will install the materials they have created, completing the roofing, siding, and lath work for a timber frame cabin using only hand tools and traditional methods.
All tools and wood are supplied, though students are welcome to bring their own hand tools.
Learning Objectives:
Master the fundamentals of riving, learning how to split wood efficiently along the grain.
Learn how to select the best wood for shingles and lath, ensuring longevity and durability.
Develop hands-on experience using the froe, club, drawknife, and hatchet to create building materials.
Split and shape shakes for roofing, then install them to create a traditional shake roof.
Learn to install board siding using historically accurate techniques.
Produce and install accordion lath to prepare interior walls for lime plaster.
Master the art of patience and precision, understanding how to work with natural wood grain rather than against it.
This class is part of a series inspired by Henry David Thoreau’s cabin in the book Walden. Check the other Thoreau’s Cabin-inspired classes on our website.
Attendance Requirements: Students must attend all days
Location: Sam Beauford Woodshop, 1375 N. Main St, Building 41, Adrian, Michigan 49221
Class Size: Maximum 10 students
If you have any questions about this class, please contact the Administrative Office at (517) 759-3070 or email
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