Heavy timber architecture done right can make any structure look like an old German fairy tale. There is something honest about an exposed joinery, and the smell of freshly shaved cedar or fir. But sometimes there are limits; times in which elegance must intersect with a designer’s pragmatism.

Shed dormers are used fairly indiscriminately throughout our barn home kits. They help facilitate additional space in a building’s second story. Oftentimes they get a bad reputation for being ugly afterthoughts; band-aids for last minute attempts at fixing lost space. This is definitely not the case with us.

What makes a structure inelegant doesn’t come down to specific features. Every building’s elemental variable should feel intentional. A lazily-placed shed dormer can end up as an eyesore. Done correctly, however, it can be a beautiful confluence of practicality and beauty.

Shed Dormers and Gable Dormers

Shed dormers or “dustpan dormers” are characterized by their single-sloping roofs. A proper dormer should provide an average amount of headroom and space for windows. Keeping the dormer proportional in relation to the rest of the roof is the key to maintaining a more elegant look.

There are many different types of dormers included in our barn and barn home kits, although these usually incorporate one of two styles. The first, and most common, are gable dormers. These are smaller, more compartmentalized extrusions that reallocate water away from second-story windows. Usually they’re placed in rows of three, four, or even five, rather than as one solid mass.

The main type of shed dormer you see included in our kits is what’s called a Nantucket dormer. Multiple gables in one solid sub-structure conjures much more space than gable dormers. Hybridizing these two elements looks and functions better than the typical fully-supported shed dormer.

Of course, there’s no denying the level of space offered by a shed dormer. We use them repeatedly in some of our more popular kits. Check out our new Pineridge, a slightly different variation of our Oakridge kit. Like the Oakridge, each size option includes two shed dormers. These play important roles in establishing and maintaining enough space in the upstairs living quarters among each variation—especially the Pineridge 24’, a no-nonsense two-story post and beam building design aimed at maximizing efficiency.

Ready to take the first step toward building your dream barn home? Request a free quote to get started today.

Now more than ever, more people are moving from both rural and urban areas—a trend that is slowly redefining urban growth boundaries everywhere. The allure of city living has dwindled over the past five years in exchange for a life in the suburbs. Similarly, those in rural areas who are financially able are moving closer in, as well. For example, economic analyst Jared Kolko discovered a 30 percent increase of college educated populations in nonmetropolitan counties, all around the Pacific Northwest and Idaho. These two opposing trends will inevitably cause a time for flux in urban growth boundaries.

Living outside an urban growth boundary comes with its own distinct advantages and disadvantages. An urban growth boundary is usually decided by a city or metropolitan area. Depending on where these municipalities draw the line can cause serious comparative disparities in land value. Farmland can be valued at 10 times less than similar land merely feet away. It’s important to know where these boundaries are, and what policy trends are occurring.  

You can either save or lose money depending on your intentions. The addition of new infrastructure on your property will increase its value no matter what. It’s a much better route than renovating an old pre-existing structure. Click here for more information about the pros and cons of new construction versus renovation.

Check an updated version of your closest city’s urban growth plan, and find out where your prospective land is in relation to it. Studying policy trends in the past to see how you could be affected later, can help gauge how future decisions on increasing the boundary will be made. Being conscious of these factors can make or break a property’s market value.

Seclusion has been a key attraction for rural living, the price one might pay if land falls too close to an urban growth boundary. Cities can retroactively justify expanding infrastructure near or around your property if it was set aside into a rural reserve. This annexed land around your home can be used for any kind of development. So be sure you are staying privy to the projects being proposed in these areas before buying property as well.

Not many cities in the U.S. adopt urban growth boundary policies. Those that do are typically places where the lines between urban and rural blur. Examples of these places can be found in Portland, Oregon; Boulder, Colorado; Virginia Beach, Virginia; and Seattle, Washington. DC Structures knows firsthand the headaches of city planning, and the amount of government regulation that accompanies it. Staying on top of recent trends in rural-urban migration and city planning can make a huge difference when assessing land for your structure.

Ready to take the first step toward building your dream structure on your dream property? Request a free quote to get started today.

Barn raising was the go-to construction method during the 16th and 18th century in the United States. Community members from all around would converge on a farmer’s property to aid in post assembly. Specialists in joinery were outsourced and paid while community members worked unconditionally. This typically wasn’t an issue considering these were resource driven economies. Back then, a good relationship with a farmer was all one needed.

Although we don’t work for free, we do believe in establishing and nurturing good relationships. Some barn kit companies will simply pre-fabricate your dream and drop it off without any consideration for what is required afterwards. You obviously can’t rely on your neighbor anymore. That’s why we take the time to extend into our networks, and find you the perfect contractor in your area.

Building a lego style tool shed or a desk from Ikea is one thing. Constructing a 18,359 sq. ft. riding arena is another. Many companies will boast about on-site handcrafted joinery, cooper mortises and custom cedar railings, and then ship it out on trucks where they unload these materials and expect you to do the rest. Not us. A project is never complete unless we know every detail is taken care of from start to finish.

It isn’t simply a matter of rudeness, it’s also about safety. Finding your own contractor is a process in itself. Lacking proper networks can result in a never ending hunt for quotes. Even after your final selection, there’s still no assurance you picked the right people without knowing their official track record. Many contractors hire employees with limited to no experience in construction. Post and beam or heavy timber frames require a specialized touch you simply can’t find in many places. Worrying about structural integrity shouldn’t be an issue one wastes energy on whatsoever with our structures.

Luckily we have been in this business for a long time. Our history in construction is riddled with positive testimonials stretching back a decade. Looking at reputation is the best way you can avoid flippant subcontractors and inexperienced builders. Our time spent in this industry has also cultivated a strong relationship with many, top notch independent contractors.

If we can’t find an independent body, our parent company DC Builders will always be there to help. They operate much like an in-house resource. Having such a resource so close eliminates any deviations from consistency during the building process. It shows just how committed we are to making you know that you’re part of a broader community. Because even after your project is built, you can expect our follow-up team will be giving you a call.

Questions You Should Ask A Contractor

Are they doing it themselves or hiring a subcontractor?

A subcontractor isn’t an actual employee of the contractor you hire. Often times they can be people with little to no experience. Contractors enlist out of convenience making the trust between contractor and subcontractor very thin. Anyone we work with very rarely deploys subcontractors onto your property.

Are they bonded?

This is different than a license. Being bonded means the contractor has ownership of anything that might go wrong with your property if the structure is compromised in any way. Think of it as another insurance policy on your building.

Do they have proper licensing?

You can see if your contractor is properly licensed here.

Mustangs brought over from Spain embody the West’s untamable nature. Hundreds of these equine animals once roamed the rolling hills and prairies through snow and rain. Their wild disposition has since traveled through their genealogy, into stables across the country.

A horse would never step into a stable if they had their way. They naturally detest them, just as any large grazing animal would. That’s why we take special consideration for how they operate in these spaces, by enhancing the ecological elements that make horse care easier. At DC, horse stable design is an art form. 

The minimum size for a loose box stable is 10’x10’ to 12’x12’, according to the Canadian Agri-Food Research Council. Although this might be suitable for a riding horse, it falls short when it comes to draft breeds or if you’re expecting a foal. Adding extra room to our horse barn kits is no problem with our custom design capabilities. 

Horses are extremely inquisitive creatures. A clever steed can easily find its way around a poorly placed latch and show themselves out. It’s been widely documented that they have even jailbroken their compatriots for late night romps around the barn. Did we mention they hate stables?

Kidding aside, this can be a dangerous situation for your animals. Our catalog offers multiple stall front variations so you can choose the one you think best fits your horse’s intelligence. After all, they may have been brought here from Europe, but it’s the American West that raised their rebellious spirit.

Animal safety is a top priority. That’s why our horse arena building packages are curated by Classic Equine, the leading brand in horsing around. Any accessories such as stall mats and water buckets are all vetted for maintaining the well-being of your four-legged friends.

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 connotation, 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!

The barn home is a classic house design with a timeless aesthetic. With their throwback features and exposed wood finishes, barn homes can be otherwise thought of as houses designed in the style of barns or barns converted into living spaces. While barns may call to mind farm-related images such as livestock and dirty boots, the reality is that these types of homes are well suited for elegant personalized touches. When designed with a commitment to long-term durability and fine craftsmanship, barn homes make for great investments. Here’s a look at some of our favorite barn home interiors to give you a better idea of how barn living translates to a luxurious house that you can call home.

If you’re ready to get started on your own barn home project, request a free quote today!

Nothing brightens a room like natural light shining through a big window, but what if you could amplify that effect? The addition of a window wall means you can make the most of your outside view, whether that’s a stunning outdoor landscape or a bustling urban scene. Further, window walls add a breath of fresh luxury to any interior space, be it a residential home or a commercial property.

For those who are unfamiliar with the term, a window wall is a large expanse of glass that replaces one of a building’s exterior barriers. Window walls make for stunning views, increased natural lighting and an easy way to add to the elegance of your space. Highly customizable, these building features can span anywhere from a section of the wall to the entire exterior side. Additional personalization can be achieved by way of the client’s desired shapes and finishes.

DC Structures designs and assembles pre-engineered materials packages in the reliable style of post-and-beam construction. This building method, which is often referred to as timber framing, makes for sweeping open-concept interiors and increased structural longevity. Further, this construction style lends itself to highly customizable layouts due to a decreased need for load-bearing walls as additional structural support. From a design perspective, this makes it very easy to plan for a window wall. Of course, there are still some very important considerations to evaluate during the planning phase of your window wall project.

The most important thing to consider before adding a window wall to your building plans is the exterior barrier that you would like to replace. Positioning plays an important role when it comes to security, privacy, practicality and energy efficiency. It’s imperative that you get it right the first time, as a poorly placed window wall can easily go from classic elegance to sheer annoyance—particularly if it is subject to intense sunlight from sunup to sundown. Ask yourself if a window wall in your desired location will result in unwanted glare or natural light overload.

Smart placement for your window wall should also entail a consideration of privacy that many know and appreciate as an inherent comfort of home. For example, a window wall in the front of your home could pose both a decrease in privacy and an increase in security risk. With valuables on display in clear view, burglars could find it easier to case your home for theft. What’s even more alarming is that it could provide an unwanted assessment of your habits and vulnerabilities—which is especially concerning if you live alone. Intelligent window wall placement will keep your living space from turning into an unintentional zoo.

Last but not least, it is of high importance that the materials used in your window wall be designed with energy efficiency in mind. Windows are harder to insulate than standard exterior barriers, so the thermal performance of the windows will make a big difference in terms of energy costs and home comfort. DC Structures is proud to partner with quality window suppliers to ensure our customers’ window walls will maximize natural lighting while deflecting unwanted heat or chill. If you’re ready to get started on your one-of-a-kind home with an elegant window wall feature, request a free quote today!

DC Structures has designed and assembled countless horse barn kits. From small wood barns with one to two horse stalls all the way up to large-scale equestrian facilities for boarding businesses, there’s no horse barn project outside the DC wheelhouse.

Earlier this year, we shared some construction progress photos of this luxury horse barn in Tryon, North Carolina. Starting with a Columbia 72’ barn kit, these clients transformed this floor plan into an eight-stall horse barn with a double-sized tack room. Upstairs, a raised center-aisle loft makes way for hay storage and a viewing platform.

With construction finishing in the middle of this year, these clients and their equine friends have had a chance to settle in and make themselves at home. Check out the end result in the collage below!

Thinking about horse barn plans for your own property? Request a free quote today!