Solar is the fastest-growing alternative energy source in the world—a trend most would have dismissed as a fluke 48 years ago. That’s because photovoltaic systems back in 1970 were wildly expensive, costing around $70 per kilowatt an hour. Today, you pay significantly less at just 12 cents an hour per kilowatt. The overall price for kilowatt hours has dropped more than 10 percent since 1980. If these trends continue, analysts believe solar will inevitably contribute 20 percent to total energy consumption in the United States by 2030.

It’s easy to see why solar is one of the best disruptive technologies out there, and why an increasing number of homeowners are opting to make the switch. While we ourselves do not manufacture solar panels, we can definitely help you get set up with some when you go through the process of designing a barn home kit with us.

Here are some things you should consider before retrofitting your barn house building kit.

Infrastructure

Sixty percent of households don’t have sufficient roofing infrastructure to support solar panels.

One standard 60-cell residential solar panel can weigh between 40–50 lbs. Powering a house efficiently will require the majority of your roof’s surface area, in order to properly aggregate enough power to the inverter and into your battery bank.

A good night’s rest comes courtesy of our homegrown Pacific Northwest timber. This wooden material is handcrafted onsite and cured using a process that denotes longevity. If you don’t mind sacrificing a little open space in the vaulted ceilings, the installation of extra support beams can reinforce the weight of the panels. We also recommend tweaking the roof pitch for maximum sun exposure. 

How Much Does Solar Cost?

The average gross residential cost for solar panels before factoring in tax credit reductions can hover between $16,800 and $30,000. Sleek solar products like Elon Musk’s power wall and solar roof can cost $12,000 to $15,000 for a 2,000 sq. ft. home. The power wall, a highly efficient and discreet battery system, will add another $3,000 to $6,000 depending on your needs. However, sticking with conventional solar panels is still the better option at this point in time.

Simplicity is a universal philosophy amongst our rustic designers. For a 3,000 sq. ft. home with a $200 monthly power bill, a conventional 8.5 kW system would only cost $26,000 to install. At this scale, Tesla’s photovoltaic cells would only be able to produce 6.25 kW at a $60,000 price point, giving you less for more.

Tax Credit Reductions

Federal tax credits for solar last year saved the average individual $5,000. A tax credit is a dollar for dollar reduction of the price you pay for installation. 30 percent is the current reduction rate. Eventually, this rate will drop to 26 percent in 2020. A trend which will continue to fall unless Congress chooses to renew the program’s reduction policy. With only one year left, applying for these reductions before installation would be the most prudent move you could make.

What is Net Metering?

Net metering protects the energy you generate onsite from being abused by utility companies. If a utility company overuses the power you contribute to the grid, then you’re entitled to reparations. Running your meter backwards will result in credit that can be used on your next electrical payment. Each state is different depending on where you are. Be sure you do some research before turning your kit into a self sufficient off-grid mecca.

Ready to take the first step toward designing your dream home today? Request a free quote to get started!

Weddings are notoriously expensive events for many families and would-be couples. Minus the honeymoon, the average cost for a wedding in the U.S. bounces between $19,182 and $31,970. Still, this is a formative event; a day that sets the tone for many years to come. After all, lasting wedding day impressions are easily made through atmosphere and setting alone.

Our wedding barns demand a certain respect, as they’ve become great investments for property owners and event planners alike. But like weddings, they’re expensive. Several have homes all over the country, with the largest of our portfolio hosting gorgeous weddings and events in Arrington, Tennessee. And while wedding barns make for a spectacular day of ‘I dos,’ the same caliber of ambiance can be accomplished with a thoughtful outdoor design—all at a fraction of the cost.

Outdoor weddings have climbed the ranks to become a formidable alternative to traditional church ceremonies. With more people opting for an idyllic natural setting, taking steps to enhance your scenic property can pay dividends for your business. Timber-frame pavilions are a great option for bringing your outdoor space up to par.

A good structure, like any marriage, should be measured by its dynamism, as well as its durability. Outdoor pavilion kits offer an intimate feel without breaking the bank. Designed in our signature post-and-beam style, our pavilion kits are a symbol of longevity—the significance of which transcends its practicality.

But a good structure, like any marriage, should also be measured by its utility and resilience. In other words, our pavilions make for great outdoor spaces long after vows have been exchanged. Between covered kitchens and outdoor fire pits, or special occasion gathering spaces for clients to rent, there’s no shortage of uses for these classic all-wood structures.

Ready to take your wedding and event property to the next level? Request a free quote to get started today!

Timber framing is an ancient construction technique with roots dating back to 200 BC. One of the oldest building methods still practiced today, timber framing combines meticulous craftsmanship with premium wood materials to create extraordinary structures that are as durable as they are beautiful. While similar to post and beam construction, this building method utilizes traditional and decorative joinery to join its heavy timber components instead of metal fasteners and connectors. This approach gives way to dramatically open interiors that feature exposed wood members throughout and seamless connections defined by their precision and beauty. 

Keep reading below as we delve deeper into the world of timber framing, exploring what it is, its history, and why it remains a popular choice for construction today! 

What is Timber Framing?

At its core, timber framing is a remarkable building method that utilizes large, heavy wooden posts and beams to create the framework of a building. These wood members are carefully crafted and joined together using traditional woodworking techniques such as mortise and tenon joints, wooden pegs, and scarf joints. Picture the building frame as a giant set of intricately designed Legos, where each piece interlocks perfectly with the next. This method results in buildings with a robust frame capable of supporting heavy loads and providing exceptional structural integrity.

A Brief History of Timber Framing

Timber framing’s rich history stretches back to ancient civilizations, including the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans. It flourished in medieval Europe and was brought to North America by European settlers in the early 1600s. Today, historic timber frame buildings still grace rural landscapes in the United States and Canada, including parts of the original colonies.

Why Timber Framing Endures

Since its inception, timber framing has stood out for its intricacy, craftsmanship, and strength. Though timber framing has evolved to keep up with modern demands, this construction style still boasts an elaborate framework reminiscent of centuries past. Of the many benefits timber framing offers, a few come to the forefront as wholly unique and rewarding advantages for building owners and occupants alike. 

For those interested in building a timber frame home, here are some notable aspects of timber frame structures that have allowed this construction style to endure for thousands of years: 

Strength and Durability

Timber framing is renowned for its exceptional strength and longevity. The massive wooden beams used in timber framing can support heavy loads and withstand the test of time, often lasting for centuries.

Sustainability

Timber framing is an eco-friendly construction method known for its superior strength and energy efficiency. The density of the timbers, combined with their naturally insulating qualities, allow these buildings to retain their strength over time and keep their occupants comfortable in any season. 

Architectural Beauty

Timber frame buildings are well known for their timeless beauty. Their exposed wooden beams and intricate joinery create a warm and inviting interior with high ceilings and open spaces that are visually stunning.

Versatility

Timber framing is a highly versatile building method used in various types of buildings, from traditional homes and barns to modern commercial structures. Its joinery system allows for flexible interior layouts and architectural creativity that you won’t find in most homes or structures built today. 

Energy Efficiency

Timber frame buildings can be highly energy-efficient structures. The thermal mass of timber helps regulate indoor temperatures, reducing the need for excessive heating or cooling. 

Is Timber Framing Right for You?

Whether you’re considering a new home, a barn, or a commercial structure, timber framing offers a durable and aesthetically pleasing solution that you can count on for a lifetime. Its enduring craftsmanship, exceptional materials, and sustainable characteristics make it a worthwhile investment for the future and one you can proudly pass down to your children and grandchildren. 

At DC Structures, we offer several pre-engineered timber frame home designs that you can modify and customize for your property. We can also turn any ideas you have for your timber frame home or structure into a completely custom design centered around your vision. 

Ready to take the next step in your project journey? Call us at (888) 975-2057 or request a digital catalog here!

If there’s one thing most people can agree on, it’s that time spent in a beautiful outdoor setting is never time wasted. The average adult’s morning consists of the kind of chaos that seems to be an unavoidable precursor to the daily dance of shuffling kids to school and racing to work so they can stare at a screen for eight or more hours. If you’re exhausted just reading that run-on sentence, then chances are high you are more than familiar with this scenario.

While time unplugged in the great outdoors is always good for the soul, there are always steps you can take to enhance the outside space in your own backyard. A timber frame pavilion creates a tantalizing outdoor atmosphere that is wonderful for hosting friends and family. Whether it’s utilized as coverage for your patio, a shelter for your hot tub, an outdoor kitchen or a fire pit, all-wood pavilions are beautiful structures that add value to your property.

DC Structures designs and assembles stunning timber frame pavilion kits for customers all over the U.S. While people have their reservations about the quality of a pre-engineered building package, our pavilion kits are anything but blasé. Our collaborative pavilion kit design process entails making sure that the pavilion we design will mesh seamlessly with existing structures on the property. Further, they are designed using the Pacific Northwest’s finest heavy timbers.

If you’re ready to transform your outdoor scenery into a cozy place for unwinding and entertaining, download our digital catalog and start planning for your space. Or, if you’re ready to get started sooner, request a free quote!

The word ‘barn’ comes with a lot of connotations, and so does the word ‘kit.’ When taken together these two words can make for a negative view of barn kits, and a fundamental misunderstanding of the value they can provide. Further, there’s a tendency to pigeon hole barn kits into a specific category, which makes the broad applications of these versatile structures relatively unexplored.

Building kits can be simply defined as pre-engineered materials packages, consisting of wet-stamped blueprints and the necessary construction materials for a project. These packages are builder-friendly and construction-ready, making it easy for your chosen contractor to turn the kit into the finished product.

Other benefits of barn kits include cost efficiency and sustainability. The process for designing a pre-engineered package helps to minimize unnecessary costs associated with construction projects. Additionally, engineers’ meticulous calculations about which building materials will be needed for the kit make them inherently sustainable due to their lack of wasted or excessive construction materials.

Barn kits range in style, size, price, use and quality, depending on which company you choose to be your barn kit design and assembly partner. The important thing to remember is that not all barn kits are created equal, and some barn kit companies are better suited for the job than others. Ultimately, it comes down to your personal goals for the construction project.

DC Structures specializes in the design and assembly of high-quality barn kits that are easily modified to meet a variety of lifestyle needs. Contrary to what their name suggests, barn kits are not just for livestock. While our flexible selection of barn kit designs are well geared toward horse barns and facilities for other animals, that’s only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to all the barn kit’s possible uses.

Over the years, we’ve helped clients transform our standard kit models into elegant barn homes, practical apartment barns, RV garages, workshops and more. Don’t let the word ‘barn’ throw you off, because our use of the word in this context refers to the stylistic elements of our package designs that pay homage to the classic barn aesthetic. More so, it’s a nod to the post-and-beam construction method that forms the backbone of our signature style.

Post-and-beam barn kits are designed to last for several generations if given proper attention and upkeep over time. In addition to longevity, the use of timber-frame construction methods makes for highly customizable layouts and detailed craftsmanship. This makes DC Structures’ barn kits and objectively better investment than many of the kits being offered by our competitors.

If you’re going to put your money toward something as monumental as a new home, garage, workshop or barn, shouldn’t you feel confident in the return on your investment? If you’re ready to take the first step toward enhancing your lifestyle with a new barn kit design, download our digital catalog for inspiration. Ready to get started today? Request a free quote to get the ball rolling!