Are Timber Frame Pavilions Weather Resistant?

Yes, timber frame pavilions are weather resistant and can last for generations with proper care and maintenance. The species of wood is important to the longevity of a timber pavilion as are good overhangs that keep the rain and snow off of the timber. Any wood that is exposed to being soaked with moisture then slowly drying out will rot over time. The key to longevity of timber frames is to design the frame and foundation so that water never gets a chance to pool around the joinery and post bottoms. See our page about rot in heavy timber columns. It is important to keep post bottoms dry and out of puddles. We like to place our timber columns on at least 1/2″ thick galvanized base plates. Being just a half an inch above the floor, where water can pool, helps present rot and the galvanization seems to help keep the bugs and the rot away.

 

What Wood Species are Best for a Timber Frame Pavilion?

Wood does rot, and all wood will rot without proper care. Even pressure treated wood will rot if it is constantly exposed to the weather without maintenance and a fresh coat of stain every few years. Some woods are more resistant to rotting than others. We like to use White Oak, Hemlock or Douglas Fir treated with KlearGuard pressure treatment for any timber that is exposed to the weather.  White Oak and Hemlock are the most weather resistant woods used in timber framing and benefit from normal exterior wood stains. Douglas Fir is a great wood to use, but it needs to treated if it is exposed to rain and snow.

 

What are the Best Styles of Timber Frame Pavilions?

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and the same is true for timber frames. King Post Truss Pavilions are the most economical. Curved braces and webs can be added to them for a little extra money to dress them up. Modified Hammer Beams make great looking pavilions. Really any framing style works. Give Vermont Timber Works a call with your ideas and we will custom design the perfect pavilion for you.

 

 Can Special Features, Like Lighting, Overhead Fans or an Outdoor Kitchen be Added to a Timber Frame Pavilion?

Yes, adding shadow lighting and ceiling fans makes a timber frame pavilion beautiful and comfortable. We can help design the frame for lighting and provide routes and channels for the wires. Outdoor kitchens are great fun to have in a timber frame pavilion and are very popular.  Even hot tubs have been installed in our pavilions. Hot Tub Gazebo .

 

I saw a Pavilion on your website I like. Can you design and build something similar for me?

Yes! It is incredibly helpful when clients come to us with ideas and inspiration for what they want their structure to look like, especially when it’s similar to something we’ve already built.

 

What Permits are Required to Build a Timber Frame Pavilion?

Every municipality has different requirements for building permits. For residential construction, it is best to check with your town office and ask them what is required.  For public buildings architectural and structural plans will be required. Vermont Timber Works will provide drawings stamped by a licensed structural engineer for the frame, which are often required for a building permit. Building inspectors are interested in occupancy levels, structural integrity and fire protection. Heavy Timber Frames are classified as Type IV Construction.

 

Will you install the timber frame Pavilion on-site?

Yes. We do installations all over the country and will be happy to give you a price to erect the frame. If you are already working with a builder, we can also ship the components of the Timber Frame and your contractor can assemble it.

 

I saw a Pavilion/Pergola on your website I like. Will you sell me the plans?

We do not sell the plans from past projects, often because of the structural variables in the design. An outdoor structure that is designed to resist hurricane winds in South Carolina won’t be able to support the snow loads in Vermont. However, if you see a past project that you like we can use that as inspiration to design and fabricate something custom for you.

 

Do you sell plans?

Because of how full our workload is, we rarely take on projects that only involve design work. We like to build what we design, so, unfortunately, we do not sell the plans. Because everything we do it custom, we don’t have predesigned plans for sale.

 

Do you sell Kits?

We sell Timber Packages that include the fabricated timber frame for your Pavilion or Pergola structure. We have found that it is more economical for our clients to buy doors, windows, siding, roofing, and general building materials locally, so we don’t supply those items.

 

If I Buy the Pavilion From You can I Put it Up Myself?

Yes! We can make sure the design is exactly what you imagined, we can fabricate the timber frame, ship it to you, and then you can erect yourself with technical assistance from our team.

 

How Much Does a Timber Frame Pavilion Cost?

Because every structure we build is custom and unique, this is a difficult question to answer without knowing exactly what you have in mind. Things like size, wood species, location, etc will all determine the price of your Pavilion. If you call and speak to a Sales Rep about a quote, it helps to have some of these details in mind so that we can accurately give you an estimate.

 

How Long will it take to get my Pavilion or Pergola Built? What’s the Time Frame?

It will take a few weeks to customize and approve the design, assemble the quote, and order the materials. After that, you can expect your Timber Frame to be delivered in 10-14 weeks from the time we receive approved shop drawings back from you.

 

Can I just buy Steel Brackets/Plates/Tie Rods I see on your Timber Frames?

We don’t keep any steel plates/brackets/tie rods on hand or “in stock.” And unfortunately, due to our workload, we don’t have the capacity to provide any custom steel fabrication unless we will also be fabricating your Pavilion as well. If you’re only looking for steelwork, contacting a local steel fabricator near you would be a good place to start.