Timber Frame Barn Homes
The Ultimate Guide
Timber Frame Barn Basics
Walking into any barn-style home evokes an immediate, calming sense of comfort. Whether new or old, these structures tend to have a sense of historic charm thanks to their storied connection to America's rural lands.
As European colonists settled in the Americas, they utilized readily available materials to construct barns as shelter for livestock and storage for food and equipment. These simple, practical structures came to symbolize prosperity and a connection to the rural landscape.
"A barn in the true sense of the meaning is a beautiful home that exposes all the structure on the inside and was typically done with mortise ant tenon joinery and is built to last a very long time," explains Woodhouse architect and director of design Diana Allen.
As time went on, more intentional barn-style houses began to appear. Today, we continue to build structures that pay homage to historic barns with everything from timber-framed "barndominiums" to modern farmhouses, using features like gambrel roofs, large windows and second-floor lofts to connect contemporary designs back to early barns.
As with any Woodhouse timber frame structure, these barn homes designs can be completely customized to meet a homeowner's specific needs - and even their sense of nostalgia. Diana explains that determining a barn home aesthetic that's best for you might be about selecting a style that conjures up warm memories of days gone by. Perhaps it's recalling visiting with your grandmother via long chats on the porch after supper. Or maybe it's something more broad: "Others just like that this style feels rooted to earth and is a return from city life to a simpler time," says Diana.
Diana notes that the roof shape is another ways to add distinction to one's design and that each part of the country has a style of barn that specifically suits that region's weather. Thoughtful consideration foes into snow load patterns and positioning the timber frame home to collect passive solar energy.
Ready to explore more nuances of timber frame barn home designs? This guide will lay out your options, and help you better understand the hallmarks of each type. Welcome to the world of timber frame barns!
Barn Homes
The closest match to an old-fashioned barn, a barn home is designed to look as if it's a barn that's been converted into a home over time. Admirers of the Americana aesthetic enjoy living in a home that looks like a barn on the outside but encompasses all of the modern features on the inside. Perfect for those seeking a spacious interior, Woodhouse barn homes feature an integrated post and beam structure with simple, time-tested joinery, vaulted ceilings, lofts, catwalks, and sliding doors to cover porches, which offer easy access to inder-outdoor living - a must in the country.
Barndominiums
"A barndominium is any structure that, from the outside, looks roughly barn-like but can be completely different inside," Diana explains. Constructed of metal, steel or wood, timber-framed barndominiums are usually rectangular and are ideal for homeowners looking to add space for hobbies or home businesses without building a separate, secondary structure.
By design, Woodhouse's timber fram Barndominium Series features large, dramatic open spaces with an expansive, lofty feel. With wide-open spaces, you can push the design any direction you like. Take for example our Barndominium 4527-2-2.5 and the Barndominium 1640-1-1.5, both of which offer a blend of rural and industrial aesthetics.
Modern Farmhouse
Diana explains that modern farmhouses are not barns but rather homes with a contemporary spin on an updated farmer's house and reflect those same feelings of nostalgia for simpler times. The Woordhouse Modern Farmhouse Series abounds with clean sleek lines and open floor plans while still maintaining a cozy ambiance. This distinct style incorporates basic gable roods with steep pitches, black windows and wraparound or covered porches. Interior fearures include an abundance of natural wood, typically seen in the form of reclaimed timber or shiplap walls, sweeping panoramic window views, neutral color palettes, industrial lights, a fireplace and an airy living room with easy access to the kitchen.
Commercial Buildings with Barn Style
While we build plenty of barn homes for living in, our barn style designs can certainly be used for non-residential purposes as well. The Woodhouse team not only designs classic barns for horses, but also creates structures for distilleries, wedding venues and churches.
