Four Timber Frame Shelter Ideas for Your Next Project

Most of us enjoy spending time outdoors in the sunshine and fresh air, but there are times when the sun is just a bit too hot, or rain starts coming down, making it convenient to have shelter to seek refuge. Timber frame structures can be a great answer for such occasions.

Timber framing is a type of post-and-beam construction that involves solid timber joined together with traditional wooden joinery. This is a method of construction that has been used for thousands of years, with archaeologists uncovering traces of timber-framed homes more than 10,000 years old.

Timber frame shelters provide elegant outdoor living spaces that are both functional and naturally beautiful. Not only do they possess an aesthetic appeal, but they also look much more at home in natural environments than other structures and are highly durable, making them a perfect complement for many settings.

Here are four timber frame shelter ideas for your next project:

Gazebo

Gazebos are shade structures with a solid roof and sides that are partially open, though some may be screened in. They may be placed on a concrete base or may have a built-in floor and they are typically in the shape of an octagon, or oval.

A gazebo can be used for anything from sitting and enjoying the scenery to large gatherings of people. If screened in, they also offer protection from mosquitoes for nighttime use and are an attractive way to help fill an empty landscape.

Pavilion

Pavilions are another type of roofed structure, but unlike gazebos, their sides are completely open. They also differ from gazebos in that they do not have a built-in floor and while gazebos tend to be oval or octagonal, pavilions are usually rectangular.

The roof of a pavilion will typically be supported by 4 to 6 posts, though larger pavilions may require more. These are usually attached to a deck, concrete base, or paver patio, serving an existing seating area as a shelter, unlike the self-contained gazebo.

Pavilions serve the same purpose as a gazebo, but often accompany other structures and landscape features, whereas a gazebo may be more isolated.

Pergola

Sometimes confused with a pavilion, the pergola’s main difference lies in the roof. While a pavilion will have a full roof, a pergola’s roof may feature beams and rafters or a lattice. This allows for more light while still offering some protection.

Pergolas are sometimes attached to existing structures, providing outdoor living space that serves as an extension of another building. Like arbors, pergolas are sometimes used to support vines and their posts and slatted roofs may be hung with plants.

Pergola With Fire Pit

While some might hesitate to put a fire pit under a pergola, with careful placement and proper safety practices, they can make an attractive addition, supplying warmth and ambiance on cooler evenings.

Adding a fire pit to an enclosed structure can be dangerous, but pergolas, with their open sides and slatted roofs work provide ample ventilation.

For more ideas for timber frame shelters, or to discuss building a timber frame shelter on your property, contact us today.