About us
We Are a Family Owned & Operated Business
We believe in serving families and communities.
At Western Timber Frame™, we don’t just build timber structures—we create spaces where families gather, slow down, and make lasting memories. From our shop in Payson, Utah, we design and craft custom pergolas, pavilions, and covered patios that bring beauty, shelter, and wellness into everyday life.
Recognized for Excellence
- 2026 U.S. Small Business Administration Manufacturer of the Year (Utah)
- 28 Best of State Awards for craftsmanship and service
- 7,000+ structures built and shipped coast to coast and to Hawaii
Our work spans the nation because real wood, honest engineering, and genuine care travel well.
Meet Our Founders
Hyrum Thompson
– Founder, Craftsman, Visionary
Hyrum Thompson has spent more than 45 years in construction and over 30 years mastering timber craftsmanship, architectural design, and manufacturing innovation. His standards were forged early—at just 14 years old he was already building fine cabinetry, where precision and care in every joint became second nature.
That foundation led to The Dovetail Difference®, Hyrum’s patented joinery system that brings cabinetmaker accuracy to the strength and scale of timber framing. In 2008 he began building timber frames, incorporated Western Timber Frame in 2008, and has since designed multiple patented systems—including innovative power-post solutions that combine strength with simplicity.
A licensed general contractor, Hyrum continues to guide product design and mentor the next generation of craftsmen. His perspective deepened through personal experience: he once talked his friend Laurence out of adding a pergola to his first home—only to discover later how powerfully these spaces shape family life.
A serious health challenge with spinal stenosis left Hyrum partially paralyzed and gave him quiet time to reflect. Sitting outside with family, he felt firsthand why he builds: to create spaces that soften life’s pace, invite gratitude, and hold the people we love.
For Hyrum, timber is more than material. It is warmth, strength, and heritage—a medium of health and connection. Whether it’s an exposed beam, a handcrafted truss, or a backyard pavilion, his goal remains the same: to bring the beauty and wellness of real wood into everyday life.
Laurence Bunker
– Co-Founder, Designer, Innovator
Laurence Bunker’s story isn’t just about woodworking and design—it’s about creating spaces that change lives. By six years old, he was building and selling mini electric guitars, catching the attention of trade show crowds and landing on the cover of the NAMM Show magazine. By 10, he built, designed and improved gold mine security portals, proving his natural ability to see beyond what exists and into what’s possible has defined his life’s work.
But his passion for outdoor spaces is deeply personal. Raised in a trailer park where RVs came and went, outdoor space was rare. His mother, cautious of the constant turnover of strangers, often kept him inside. That experience left a lasting impression and became the foundation for his life’s mission: to create spaces where families can gather, breathe, and belong.
Today, as Co-Founder and President of Western Timber Frame®, Laurence has grown from SEM/SEO strategist to operational leader, overseeing business, finance, HR, and marketing. His leadership has earned the company multiple Best of State awards, Best of Show recognition, and a coveted spot on the Inc. 5000 list. But to him, the greatest recognition comes from the families who say their timber space has brought them closer, created new traditions, helped them heal, and enriched their lives in ways they never imagined.
For Laurence, a home is more than its walls—it’s the space around them that invites us to breathe deeper, live fuller, and stay longer. It’s about giving people a place to slow down, talk more, and grow closer.
Let’s get started!
because your dream outdoor space shouldn’t be just a dream.
