Custom Built Timber Frame Homes, Barns, Additions and Small Buildings


As a design build company, we take a truly integrated approach to the design, engineering, fabrication and raising of your structure. In our nearly 50-year history as teachers and builders of fine post and beam homes and barns, we have continued to refine all aspects of our process to provide you with the most efficient structures, most beautifully.

Our clients enjoy full access to our in-house engineering and building services. We will guide you through structural options, costs, and timeframes so you can choose solutions that make sense. We offer site planning, floor plan design, and engineering services for your project. We work with you to develop and define your vision.

Schedule an appointment today to begin designing your new structurally-engineered timber frame, barn, garage, addition, or any structure you can imagine, which we can design, cut, deliver, and raise.

Timber Frame Kits


Most of our Design Build clients choose a custom design for their home or structure, but there are many who want to purchase one of our pre-designed timber frame kits. We can ship these kits to you, if you'd like to raise it yourself, or we can deliver and raise it for you. We can also add individual design elements to these frames to suit your needs.

We employ traditional mortice and tenon joinery tusk tenons, wedged dovetails, scarf joints, pegged half-laps, and bird-mouth joints. Place two or more kits side by side, offset, or add a shed to any face of the structure to vary the roof line. We have created these four cost effective frames to get you started but we are happy to design a structure around your specific needs. Contact us for more details. View the kits below.

14x20 Hennin Post & Beam Boat House

20x20 Hennin Post & Beam Open Plan Kit

24x24 Hennin Center-Post Cape

20x20 Hennin Hammer Beam Kit

  • Pete Neidhardt
    After taking their Design & Build course, I had the confidence to build this timber frame house, from a version of their stock plans. And you will too.
    Pete Neidhardt
  • Chasen Gillies
    We drove thirteen hours through a blizzard to take the timber framing course and it was worth it. You can tell this family has been teaching people since the 70's. 70's?! These guys are great. I hope to be back to learn but just saying "HI" would be a win. They've probably mapped out every minute of the week for the students but it still feels relaxed. Best of all, I can say with confidence, I can build a house. A timber structure. And I will
    Chasen Gillies
  • Matt Anglin
    Excellent course on house building. Teaches about every aspect of house including good design principles.
    Matt Anglin
  • Laurie Palagyi
    Shelter is a phenomenal resource of skill, intelligence, and good people. I took the two week design/build course and it was wonderful. I left with the confidence to assess my own home and any future home that I may build or purchase. Shelter is the real deal.
    Laurie Palagyi
  • David H T Kane
    Instructors make sure their lectures are clear and understandable to the students. Great follow through.
    David H T Kane
  • Deborah Caldwell
    Nothing can beat the hands-on experience that my daughter and I enjoyed for three weeks at the shelter institute. I have kept in touch ever since. I am disappointed that I cannot leave a comment on Pats chainsaw videos. The system does not seem to acknowledge our presence.
    Deborah Caldwell
  • Enzo Talladira
    As a second generation carpenter/joiner Shelter Institute's online course is a must for all who are interested in Timber Framing and the enjoyment of life.

    I have found the team to be responsive, caring and helpful. A pleasure to deal with.
    Enzo Talladira
  • Kristina Rae Bolduc
    So far our online courses are phenomenal!!! We love Pat, Gaius, and Blueberry! Gabe is pretty awesome too!!
    Kristina Rae Bolduc

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