Some projects are one-and-done. But others—like this one—are chapters in a story still being written. Three years ago, this family invited us to craft a pavilion and cabana that became the heartbeat of their backyard. This year, they called us back. And nothing makes us happier than a returning knock at the door.

Because a second project isn’t just a deck. It’s trust. It’s friendship. It’s the proof that the first structure wasn’t just wood and fasteners, but something living—something that still mattered years later.

First Chapter: Pavilion & Cabana

Back then, it was winter. Snow on the ground. But warmth in the design. We bundled a pavilion and cabana kit to carve out spaces of shade, shelter, and gathering.

Timber frame pavilion and cabana kits delivered in winter, wrapped and ready for installation. — Pavilion and cabana kits arrive bundled and weather-protected, even in the middle of winter.

Timber frame cabana and pavilion installed in backyard, creating outdoor living space. — A cabana and pavilion built three years ago—marking the first chapter of this family’s outdoor living story.

Pavilion: 14×20 in scale, featuring arched knee braces for both strength and artistry.
Cabana: 12×24 stretch of elegance—room for privacy, leisure, and that Alpine-retreat vibe.
TimberVolt® Dragon: Power and light, seamlessly built into the posts.
The Dovetail Difference®: Interlocking timber joints, engineered to stand solid through seasons and storms.

Even from the beginning, this project was more than backyard—it was a signal. A family’s life anchoring itself in craftsmanship that would outlast them.

Timber frame cabana installed over hot tub with arched knee braces. — A timber frame cabana with arched knee braces, perfectly sized to shelter the hot tub and create a private retreat.

And it wasn’t only about the big features. The cabana design also had to accommodate details already in place. For example, the home’s existing vent was seamlessly integrated into the structure, rather than treated as an afterthought. That kind of precision is part of what defines The Dovetail Difference®—building around what’s there with care, so every finish feels intentional.

Timber frame cabana built with precision detailing around an existing vent. — The cabana was carefully crafted to accommodate the home’s existing vent—proof that even the smallest details matter.

Even from the beginning, this project was more than backyard—it was a signal. A family’s life rooted in a space built to gather, to celebrate, and to keep welcoming people back again and again.

A Word From the Family

Three years ago, after the pavilion and cabana were installed, this was their feedback:

“These guys were awesome to work with! They did a great job listening to us and asking the right questions in order to understand what we wanted. The installation actually happened two weeks earlier than anticipated and the end result was amazing. A solid, beautiful, high quality result. This will change the way we use our backyard and add value to our home!”

That was the beginning. And now, years later, they called us back for more. Nothing means more to us than when a family chooses to build with us again. It’s proof that the trust we earn in one project can carry forward into the next.

Second Chapter: The Deck

Fast-forward three years. Another call. Another story. This time: a timber frame deck that feels like the natural continuation of their outdoor retreat.

The Old Deck: Metal Hangers Instead of Joinery

Old deck construction with metal hangers instead of wood-to-wood connections. — The original deck used metal hangers instead of wood-to-wood joinery—an approach replaced with Western Timber Frame’s stronger Dovetail Difference®.

New timber frame deck with wood-to-wood joinery and black metal railing above pavilion. — The new timber frame deck built with The Dovetail Difference®—seamless wood-to-wood joinery, elegant railing, and a pavilion connection below.

Look closely at the detailing:

Decking: Trex Transcend in warm Caramel, framed with Biscayne borders and fascia.
Contrasting Inlay: Biscayne accented with a Jasper border—subtle artistry underfoot.
Stairs: Fifteen wide steps, carrying the experience seamlessly down to the garden.
Handrails: Sleek black RDI MetalWorks rails that frame the view, not block it.
Stained Joists: Rich Cordoba finish, echoing the tones of the earlier pavilion and cabana.

Second-story timber frame deck with black railing and mountain view. — The new timber frame deck with elegant detailing, offering sweeping views and The Dovetail Difference®.

Large timber frame deck with black metal railing and wide stairway. — A spacious timber frame deck with wide stairs and sleek black railing, crafted with The Dovetail Difference®.

Detail view of timber frame deck with Trex Transcend boards and black railing. — Close-up of the new timber frame deck with Trex Transcend decking, black railing, and scenic mountain views.

From the second-story landing, your eyes sweep over the rail, across the cabana roofline, and toward the horizon. That’s where the story folds into memory: family dinners, late-night talks, maybe even a commercial-scale gathering of friends when the backyard becomes a venue.

Why We Love Returning

Coming back isn’t just installation—it’s a reunion. It’s seeing our structures weather three winters and three summers, and knowing they stand strong. It’s seeing a family ready for more—because one chapter simply wasn’t enough.

And that’s the heart of what we build. Not just pavilions, cabanas, or decks. We build continuity. We build trust. We build spaces you want more of.

✨ Two projects. Three years apart. One story still being written.