We’ve all heard of the man cave—that bastion of masculinity in all of its dart-board, mini-kegerator and classic neon-beer-sign glory—but what about the lady cave? The lesser-known lady cave is woman’s response to the man cave, and is born of the obvious yet under-celebrated idea that women need their own space just as much as men.

Otherwise referred to as a she-shed, the lady cave can serve a range of purposes depending on each individual’s vision and objectives. Whether you’re looking for a quiet, well-stocked craft space, a social meetup area or a private yoga and meditation room, DC Structures will work with you to determine which of our kits is best suited to meet your she-shed needs.

In the same way that man caves don’t always look like frat houses, lady caves are in no way relegated to the strictly “Frou Frou” file. If lace, frills and an ungodly amount of soft yet functional throw pillows all fit perfectly into your lady-cave vision, then DC Structures is happy to help you bring that to life. That said, what your lady cave looks like is entirely up to you—and we invite you to get creative!

While DC Structures offers a number of pre-engineered designs that can be easily adapted to the lady cave of your dreams, one in particular feels naturally up to the task. The McKenzie cabin kit is a simple, compact and elegant design that consists of 651 sq. ft. for you to make your own.

The McKenzie cabin layout includes high vaulted ceilings, which helps this low-impact building foster an airy and relaxing environment that is perfect for unwinding. With a range of options and upgrades to choose from, it’s easy to turn this basic cabin design into a functional she-shed that complements your lifestyle both personally and/or professionally.

Ready to dedicate some space on your property to the pursuit of peace and quality you-time? Request our digital catalog to get started on your lady cave today.

Are you a classic car nut? With summer inching ever closer, it’s time for your prized investments to come out of hiding and into view. Of course, car shows and warm-weather joy rides would not be possible without adequate car collection storage.

DC Structures creates barn kits specifically geared toward the dedicated hobbyist. If classic cars are your passion, then ours is to provide a top-notch car storage barn. That’s why we designed the Sellwood Garage Kit in three different sizes, ranging from two to four garage bays depending on the size of your classic car collection.

Storing collector cars is serious business, as exposure to humidity and other elements can cause irreparable harm to your vintage automobiles. In most cases, the standard home garage simply won’t cut it unless you invest in a digital climate control device. Even then, space is limited and risk is elevated on account of the fact that other tools and gadgets in frequent use will likely be stored in the same place.

Imagine your vintage autos showcased in an environment that’s been crafted with the attention to detail you possess when considering a new gem for your classic car collection. We know tastes vary, which is why we offer so many options and upgrades that allow you the flexibility to create a space you can be proud to say you designed.

Car barns are becoming an increasingly popular option for classic car enthusiasts, as their timber frame shells are built to last. Our barn kits are designed with top-quality lumber from the Pacific Northwest, and with proper upkeep over time will remain standing for generations to come.

If you’re ready to make a long-term investment in keeping your vintage car collection safe, request our digital catalog to explore options and upgrades for our car barn kit.

Spring is in the air, and business owners and entrepreneurs alike are wondering how to take their wedding and event businesses to the next level. For all the opportunities they provide, barns that can be used as private event spaces have become a top trend in the industry. From rustic weddings to company parties, DC Structures knows what it takes to get your event space up and running.

Wedding and event barns are a versatile and profitable investment, but like most smart business ventures, they require planning, foresight and upfront costs in order to be successful. While some people might be tempted to wing it on their own, the use of an experienced general contractor guarantees that your project will be executed in a professional and compliant manner. Below are some of the main considerations that go into establishing a private event space.

One crucial step in the planning process involves contacting county and state officials to request local guidelines for public venues in your area. Consulting with architects and business owners that are familiar with the permitting process can also be helpful. This will enable you to ascertain whether your property is properly zoned for year-round events, or if local specifications call for expensive safety equipment such as an emergency sprinkler system.

Going through the motions to understand and comply with local regulations and permit requirements can be annoying and time consuming, but it’s better to get ahead of any potential hurdles down the road. It’s always going to be more expensive to deal with problems in retrospect than to meet them head on with proper planning.

If a wedding and event barn is part of your business plan, you should open a line of communication with your bank or other financial institutions to see what options are available. Many aspiring business owners and entrepreneurs are often surprised to find that they qualify for small business loans and other incentives. Chances are, your bank will also recognize your plans for a private event space as a smart investment with high potential.

Between permits and financing to design and construction, building a wedding and event barn is no small task. That said, relying on a general contractor you can trust will go a long way toward easing the burden of getting your private event space off the ground. After all is said and done, you can rest easy knowing your business plays a role in memorable occasions for your customers.

Thinking about a wedding and event barn for your scenic property or small business? Request a digital catalog from DC Structures to get started on your dream.

 

At any given time, DC Structures has a number of projects under construction across the U.S. These range from residential homes and apartment barns to large-scale commercial operations such as athletic centers and event spaces. Once in a blue moon, we get a unique and rare opportunity to blur the lines a bit by designing and building a massive residential complex.

Currently, DC Structures is collaborating with its parent company DC Builders to finish construction on a custom mega-facility that consists of a barn with upstairs living quarters attached to a covered riding arena. It is our largest residential project to date, and it dwarfs several of our prior commercial structures.

Nestled on a large, scenic footprint in Oregon City, Oregon, this sizable hybrid structure measures a whopping 276’ x 138’. The covered riding arena is a DC Structures Prairie 90’, replete with the whole gamut of equestrian necessities. The sprawling indoor-outdoor facility provides ample space for year-round riding, with 90’ x 204’ of space to roam rain or shine.

Attached to the arena is a custom barn with sweeping upstairs living quarters, which was designed by DC Builders. The main level consists of six horse stalls, a feeding aisle, grooming, wash and grain stalls, powder and viewing rooms, as well as additional hay, bedding and equipment storage. In short, anything and everything you could possibly need to pursue your equestrian lifestyle.

The elegant upstairs home is a spectacle in its own right, boasting 4,635 sq. ft. of luxurious living quarters. A 344 sq. ft. deck overlooks the property, while a 430 sq. ft. viewing area gives spectators access to the arena. Four bedrooms, three bathrooms and sizable bonus room are complemented by a huge open-concept living, dining and kitchen space. Practical features include large laundry and pantry rooms, and a storage room that is accessible from the viewing platform.

DC Structures is proud to be involved in bringing our clients’ dream buildings to life. We’d love to turn your plans for the future into concrete and wooden reality! Request our digital catalog to get started today!

 

Navigating the complex vocabulary of barn construction can be a daunting task. While familiarizing yourself with industry terms like “dormers” and “cupolas” is useful, it’s crucial to understand a few fundamental concepts before embarking on your barn project. Notably, “post and beam construction” and “post-frame construction” are two construction methods often mistaken for one another due to their similar names. At DC Builders, we offer both as framing options for our barn kits, each with distinct advantages and drawbacks.

What is Post and Beam Construction? 

Post and beam construction is a centuries-old building practice that utilizes heavy timbers joined by metal fasteners to form the frame of a structure. Like timber framing, post and beam construction uses large timbers in place of dimensional lumber to create dramatically open interiors that are generally free of structural constraints. Due to the strength of these heavy timbers, post and beam structures do not require load-bearing walls to support the upper floors and roof system. This construction method also sees that the exterior walls of the building are positioned on the outside of the frame. As a result, our clients can enjoy the look of exposed wood members in nearly every area of their barn. 

The Pros of Post and Beam 

Aside from their obvious beauty, there are several benefits to building a post and beam barn on your property, including: 

Structural Integrity

One of the major selling points of this construction style is its superior structural integrity, considering post and beam buildings are some of the most durable structures built today. At DC Structures, we use select-grade Douglas fir — one of the best wood types for residential and commercial construction in North America — as our standard framing material for our post and beam structures. Grown here in the Pacific Northwest, these specialty timbers will keep your barn standing strong and looking beautiful for generations to come. 

Design Freedom

Another notable benefit to post and beam construction is its open-ended design, considering there are no pesky load-bearing walls to work around inside your building. With only minimal wood posts to consider as part of your design, you have complete freedom to do as you wish with your interior area. The lack of load-bearing walls in a post and beam building also means clients can place their windows, doors, and horse stalls wherever they see fit in their space. With this extra flexibility, you can explore endless options for your barn interior. 

Efficient Construction

Lastly, our post and beam barn kits make construction easy and efficient for our clients and their builders. Thanks to our Simple Build System, every piece of framing lumber used to create your exterior walls, floor components, and roof arrives pre-cut, drilled, and labeled on your job site. As a result, our clients can enjoy a framing process that takes far less time, money, and labor than a conventionally framed structure while guaranteeing the highest quality results for your project.   

The Cons to Post and Beam 

Upfront Cost

While there are minimal setbacks to building a post and beam barn for your property, something that can deter people from investing in a post and beam structure is their upfront cost. Because post and beam buildings are more costly to construct than many metal-built, stick-built, and post-frame barns, these structures may be out of reach for some buyers interested in building a barn kit. However, it’s worth mentioning that post and beam buildings are far more likely to retain their appearance and durability over time than cheaper alternatives, making them a long-lasting, worthwhile investment for those who can afford their initial price tag. With a post and beam barn, you can expect your structure to last you decades, if not centuries while increasing in value over time. 

What is Post Frame Construction? 

Commonly associated with pole barns, post-frame structures are pre-engineered, wood-framed buildings that typically use large pressure-treated wood posts or laminated columns to create the structural frame. This construction method relies on the strength of its wood posts or columns to support the upper floors and roof system, with these members often embedded directly in the ground or added on a monolithic slab. Many low-rise buildings like warehouses and agricultural facilities are post-frame structures, considering these buildings tend to employ heavy-duty trusses to create wide-open expanses free of interior posts or walls. In fact, when combined with clear span truss construction, a post-frame building provides the ideal framework for an indoor riding arena, as it ensures riders can enjoy an unobstructed and protected space for them and their horses. 

The Pros of Post Frame

Open Interiors and Ease of Construction

Like post and beam construction, post-frame construction is known for its open interiors and ease of construction. Thanks to its interlocking frame and support columns, a post-frame structure does not require load-bearing walls, resulting in wide-open interiors that are malleable to one’s vision. Post-frame buildings are also easy to construct, considering these structures are often pre-engineered to facilitate a fast and efficient framing process. 

Cost-Effectiveness

A big reason why people like post-frame barns is because these structures offer a low-cost yet wide-ranging alternative to other more costly building methods. Because post-frame barns require fewer structural materials than post and beam and conventionally-framed structures, these buildings are usually much cheaper and faster to build by comparison. This construction method is also suitable for large, low-rise buildings, making it the ideal solution for commercial, agricultural, and industrial applications. With its versatile interiors, durable framework, and relatively inexpensive price tag, post-frame buildings are a worthy consideration for many buyers in the market for a barn.  

The Cons to Post Frame

Structural Limitations

Although post-frame barns might seem like a better investment than post and beam structures to some, there are a few downsides to these buildings that buyers should be aware of before making their decision. For instance, post-frame buildings are typically designed as low-rise structures due to their simple framework and cheap cost to build. While these structures can function as multi-level buildings, their minimal structural frame makes it so that any significant design changes like adding an upper level or basement would require major engineering upgrades and structural modifications that would drive up the overall building cost. 

In essence, what you see is what you get in many ways with post-frame structures. That being said, our designers can always work with your design, location, and need requirements to ensure your post-frame structure looks and performs according to your vision. 

Regional Suitability

In addition to its structural constraints, post-frame structures aren’t naturally suited to every location. These structures are mostly constructed in regions with temperate climates, as their standard frame isn’t built to adequately handle heavy snow loads, tornadoes, or other extreme weather events. Even so, there are ways to protect your structure in any event, namely by utilizing larger timbers and rafters as part of your design or adding reinforcements to your foundation, siding, or roof material. Again, this will drive up the cost of your final building package. However, with DC designing your post-frame structure, you can trust our team to deliver a quality solution that tackles these setbacks and more.

Making Your Decision

The choice between a post and beam barn and a post-frame barn ultimately comes down to your preference and the plans you have for your structure. If you’re seeking an economical building that’s generally easy and cheap to construct, a post-frame barn may be the right solution for its intended purpose. However, if you’re looking for a more durable, well-rounded structure with endless versatility, a post and beam barn could be the perfect addition to your lot. 

DC Structures has a proven record of success in designing and producing wood structures that last. Take a look at our catalog to see how we can transform your vision into a reality.