Knee braces are most commonly seen in western timber framing. They add rigidity to a structure by preventing "racking". Racking is the lateral movement that occurs when a rectangle is not braced diagonally. These knee braces are not seen much in Japanese joinery, as it is argued that too much rigidity can cause more damage in the case of any seismic activity. Therefore Japanese homes are built to let a little "give" when the ground starts to shake. In this particular scenario that we have encountered the option for a little "give" will more likely result in the house collapsing during renovation. These knee braces have been added to the most crucial parts of the frame only and provide strength as well as peace of mind. Anyways keep on checking in with us to see what the next stage is!!
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