The Barn Yard Blog

Whether you are looking for a unique structural element to add during your home’s construction, or purely something decorative to enhance your space, timbers can bring warmth & rustic charm to your home, both inside and out. This new home in Tolland, CT incorporated structural Douglas fir timbers in the great room, and timber accents in the foyer and kitchen.

Gatherings are easy underneath this 30' x 60' Bitterroot Timber Frame Pavilion in Leominster, MA. The pavilion has a large footprint and clear span design, with a stone fireplace on one end and an enclosed storage space on the other. Located at a church, the pavilion hosts parishioners for various events throughout the year. Read on for a photo tour.

A church in northeastern Massachusetts added a 12' x 28' Teton Timber Frame Pavilion to serve as an entryway for parishioners. The pavilion, with king post trusses and large overhangs, provides shade and shelter to all entering the church. The timbers were painted white, but the roof decking was stained, letting the warmth of the wood tones show underneath the pavilion. The result is a rustic, yet refined entry that matches well with the exterior of the church.

We built a large timber frame pavilion for the town of South Windsor, CT. Visitors to the local park for sports, fairs, and community gatherings can rest and relax in the shade & shelter provided by the 40' x 80' Bitterroot Timber Frame Pavilion. The Bitterroot was designed for commercial & municipal uses, with a large footprint and a clear span design perfect for hosting groups of all sizes.

Great for hosting family gatherings, this custom barn combines a 26' x 40' Patriot Garage with two timber frame lean-tos and a 34' x 52' attached garage. The red siding looks classic throughout the year, and especially as the seasons change from fall to winter. Inside, guests are welcomed to a wide open space with cathedral ceilings and a full kitchen. Read on for more about this barn that serves as the headquarters for family events in all seasons.

We shipped a 36' x 36' Lenox Carriage Barn Kit to the coast of California. We have a great building partner in this area—Bay Area Custom Homes—who used their local expertise to raise the timber frame & finish the structure. The result: a unique post & beam barn home, combining the aesthetics of both the country and the coast. This barn home is the customer’s dream, realized. Let’s take a tour. 

This 69' x 56' Preakness Saratoga Barn was raised in rural Montana, surrounded by the Gallatin Mountains. The Preakness Saratoga Barn has two lean-tos; one on either side. This customer elected to have a partially open section of the right lean-to, creating a space to shelter equipment. Warm wood siding and dark windows fit the country landscape. Two transom dormers let light in to the barn’s loft. And, a cow catcher’s peak adds extra detail to this rustic barn. 

Post & Beam Barns and Custom Garages have a lot in common, and can both be easily customized to create your ideal structure. Their uses are not predefined—we’ve seen customers use their Post & Beam Barns as garages, and their Custom Garages as barns. But, what is the difference between the two? It comes down to four main factors: construction method, interior appearance, insulation types, and associated cost. Let’s take a closer look. 

Barns have a history of many different uses, from housing livestock, to sheltering tractors & farm equipment, to a space for cars, additional living space, or an event area. This newly built post & beam barn reflects the same artistry & craftsmanship of historical barns. A customized Belmont Saratoga Barn model, it’s used as a working barn, with space for equipment, workshop, and a center aisle loft stretching the length of the barn.

On the coast of Buzzards Bay in Massachusetts stands this exceptionally built 32' x 28' Lenox Carriage Barn. The first floor is a garage & workshop combination, and the second floor loft offers space for family & friends to enjoy table games or relax on the couch. The windows in the barn offer a great view of the serene shoreline. Read on for a photo tour of this timber frame barn.