Characteristic of Medieval buildings when the beams held the buildings up and the spaces between them were filled with plaster.

A "half-timbered" building has exposed wood framing. The spaces between the wooden timbers are filled with plaster, brick, or stone.

In the 19th and 20th centuries, it became fashionable to imitate Medieval building techniques. Many Queen Anne and Stick style houses were given false half-timbering. Timbers were applied to wall surfaces as decoration.

In the U.S. however, half-timbering is only a decorative - albeit distinctive - covering of frame construction. In the United States, harsh winters made half-timbered construction impractical.

Information provided by: http://ah.bfn.org