Construction
What is timber framing?
Timber framing is the ancient art of large heavy timber construction where the use of nails, metal brackets, and glue, is not practiced. Instead, timber wright artisan cuts the timbers with a mortise and a tenon joint that interlocks together.
What is a Mortise and Tenon Joint?
The mortise and tenon joint is one of the most beautiful woodworking joints and, when properly executed, is such a strong joint it will last lifetimes. A tongue is cut on one timber and a groove on another fitting together like a hand in a glove or the connection of interlocking puzzle pieces.
What is The Dovetail Difference®?
Hyrum Thompson, a timber wright artisan, and owner of Western Timber Frame™ is the inventor of many pioneering and innovative designs and construction methods for better backyard family living environments. Inspired by the concept of creating a stronger and more durable joint Hyrum engineered and designed a Classic architectural masterwork he dubbed The Dovetail Difference®.
This patented, precision-cut dovetail design is an award-winning mortised interlocking joint system. It features a beveled mortise with a trapezoidal angled shape that interlocks with a beveled and tapered tenon. When it slides into place it has a snug fit that hides the cuts almost mystically, behind the wood.
The Dovetail Difference® allows the timbers to perform with woods inherent ability to dampen resonate frequencies while maintaining its beautiful aesthetic appearance. The Dovetail Difference® allows for shrinkage and growth in weather variations while maintaining its beautiful aesthetic appearance. The Dovetail Difference® is not only faster and easier to install than conventional timber frame but it creates very strong rigid joints. The Even a 20-foot beam can easily slide in and lock, like child’s play.
To learn more about The Dovetail Difference®? Click HERE.
My ShadeScape® Kit with the Natural stain doesn’t look stained, why?
If choosing “natural stain”, realize that it may appear non-stained because it is colorless. The Natural stain also does not cover as many of the natural flaws the timber has. As a result, there may also be some darker/grayer spots due to the inconsistency of the timber density.
Do I have to install the kit myself or can you do it for me?
We are very happy to install your pergola for you, just give us a call.
Many of our clients have installed a Western Timber Frame™ ShadeScape® kit in one day! With very little carpentry skills, a few basic tools, and the help of a friend or two, your ShadeScape® kit can be installed in one afternoon. We test-fit every single piece before we ship to ensure that your installation will be easy and fun.
All our ShadeScape® pergola kit parts are pre-cut, pre-drilled, pre-notched, and numbered with easy interlocking corners and drop-in rafter layouts. Our unique corner system allows for a quick, snap-together beam-to-post application. The result is a timber pergola kit with quality and durability that is quick to assemble. We provide instructions in our installation manual as well as technical support from one of our installers at your request.
However, if you are feeling intimidated by the massive size of these timber frame pergola kits, know that we are here to ensure your installation is successful. Just give us a call at 801-331-6690 and we’d be happy to help you with your project.
Can Construction be done in the winter?
Yes. These timber frame structures can be installed year-round and are good for winter protection as well as summer shade. During the fall and winter seasons so much can be done to improve your landscape or extend your home living area with an outdoor shade structure to enjoy the outdoors year-round. Timber is stronger than conventional framing and can be constructed in any kind of weather without being detrimental to the material. Winter is also a great time to improve a home or landscape whereas many other outdoor improvement projects have to wait for another season. Also, installing in the winter allows you to avoid the summer rush we experience every year.
Why do you use a CNC machine?
We used to cut all of our timber frame kits by hand. Rough cutting the timbers on a CNC machine allows us to do even more complex joinery and custom work at a greater volume while maintaining high-quality craftsmanship. The timbers and joints are completed, sanded and stained by artisan timber wrights who then pre-assemble each piece to ensure efficiency and an easy assembly.
How much skill is required to build my Kit?
Not much skill is required to build your kit. We have homeowners from all across the Country install our timber kits in one day who had very little to no carpentry experience.
How long does it take to install?
Based upon many variables, such as size, complexity, the weather and site conditions, the average ShadeScape® structure can typically be installed in one afternoon.
Can I build my own timber frame shade structure from scratch and save money?
You can build it yourself. We admire and encourage your success. Western Timber Frame™ works to keep each kit within our customers’ budget to fit their needs, removing or adding options as needed. We also have the added benefit of purchasing timber in larger quantities. This allows us to reduce the cost of the timbers. When we are given a reduction in pricing we forward those savings onto our clients. We also bring a wealth of knowledge to the project that can make the process more efficient, minimizing difficulties and the time commitment required.
Here is an example from an independent product and installation review by Todd Fratzel featured on Home Construction & Improvement:
“The price of this kit, shipped from UT to NH was $14,397. When I started pricing my own frame to build the cost of materials alone was well over $10,000 and that was before I cut anything to size! So the price of this kit, including shipping, and the beautifully crafted joinery, and the pre-stain is an excellent value. When it comes to quality there’s simply nothing I can complain about and everything exceeded my expectations. The pavilion is absolutely beautiful and everyone that’s seen it so far has complimented the craftsmanship of all the details. I’d love to take credit but all I did was help put it together. Lastly, I want to compliment the folks at Western Timber Frame™ for making the process of ordering their product easy and enjoyable. They took the time to understand my needs, they worked out all the details, the product arrived on time and the assembly directions were excellent. The best way for me to put into perspective my thoughts on their product is to put it in terms of my day-to-day job. I manage the construction of custom homes for customers every day. I would definitely buy another one of these kits for any of our customers without a doubt because the quality is excellent and the price is right! If you’re thinking about putting a pavilion in your yard I’d highly recommend Western Timber Frame. Whether you assemble it yourself or hire someone to do it for you this is an excellent product.”
-Todd Frazel
You can read the entire review here.
Materials
What is Checking?
After the kit is assembled there is a period of time for acclimation. During this process, the timbers will adjust to the altitude, weather, humidity, etc. The timbers may appear to crack. This process is completely normal, industry-wide, and even has a technical term for it: checking. You will see some “unstained” areas under the surface begin to show. Again this is completely normal and will be fixed if you touch up with stain or wait until you re-stain your kit the following season.
Checking is a natural process and does not compromise the structural integrity of the timbers. Checking accentuates, adding character and appeal and indeed it reflects the raw charm of nature. There are many examples from beams spanning ancient barn tops, to grandly expansive cathedrals with handsomely exposed natural checking.
What can be done to prevent Checking?
“Nothing. Checking is a good thing.”
Timber is an organic, natural product and “checking” is to be expected. The most important thing to remember is that the checks in these large timbers do not affect its structural integrity. In fact, checking usually makes the timber stronger by releasing the tension that has built up within the log.
The timber does not usually begin to check until after it has been exposed to intermit weather and its new environment. Even after many years down the road, a homeowner can sometimes hear a timber crack or open up and, not understanding the nature of timber, can be quite alarmed. This is the reason so many manufacturers and contractors try to educate people to the nature of timber. Timber is the same today as it was hundreds of years ago. Wood moves and there are timber structures still in use today from hundreds of years ago, with beautiful checking that are structurally sound.
When considering timber, especially timbers in the outdoors, the timbers will continue to expand and contract. This is why we do not highly promote filling the checks with epoxy etc. Loving natural timbers, checking should be cherished as a unique expression of natural beauty.
What Type of Wood Do You Use?
Western Timber Frame™ uses only #1 Appearance Grade A Douglas Fir and Western Red Cedar sourced directly from the mills. Clients, DIY homeowners, and contractors who assemble their own kits rave about how smoothly the installation process went and how beautiful and majestically exquisite they are.
Why Do You Use Douglas Fir?
Douglas fir is a species with an excellent record, having earned respect worldwide for its superior performance under extremely stressful conditions. With its incredible strength and strong, tough fibers Douglas Fir meets the test with weight and densely grained form. This is why it is the architectural choice for industrial and remanufacturing uses. Douglas fir is dimensionally stable, with the ability to stay in position against stresses such as tension, compression, and deflection. Pressure-treated/well-seasoned Douglas fir timber is also bug resistant and accepts finishes well.
Why Do You Use Western Red Cedar?
Western Red Cedar has superior dimensional stability which makes it a good choice for durability. Western Timber Frame™ offers Cedar as another ShadeScape® material choice. It is known for its characteristics of being decay resistant and its ability to handle moisture and high humidity. If you are looking for a more vibrant gold or with some reddish natural wood color, Western Red Cedar is more economical than Redwood. Western Red Cedar can be left unfinished and do well in the elements where its gold tone will change to a beautiful natural silvery gray color over time.
What About Dry Rot?
There has been much confusion as to this destructive fungus referred to as dry rot (more correctly called Brown Rot). Dry rot is Serpula lacrymans, a fungus that germinates from a spore just as fruit or vegetation grows from a seed. The spore has to be present and posit with a moisture content saturated to the point of about 28 to 30% and the humidity to be above 95 to 98% for dry rot to begin to germinate. Even in situations where walls have had high moisture content and humidity, if the wall starts to dry, dry rot cannot tolerate these dry conditions and will become dormant and eventually die. The conditions for dry rot is most likely in places where there is damp plaster, damp masonry, damp mortar and enclosed damp walls, cellars that are dark, stagnant and not ventilated. In some cases, masonry will never dry. The Northern States seldom experience dry rot. Utilizing heating and air conditioning in modern buildings in the Southern States eliminating moisture problems has rendered it very difficult for dry rot to occur. Well-seasoned timber does best when it is able to breathe eliminating interstitial condensation through ventilation. Dry rot cannot exist in kiln-dried lumber or thoroughly seasoned timber when the excess of moisture has been eliminated.
What About Wet Rot?
Wet rot refers to several different kinds of fungi spread by asexual spores but the treatment is the same in all cases. As with Dry rot, a.k.a. Brown Rot, the asexual spores must be present and wet rot cannot take place if the timber has been thoroughly seasoned and the excess of moisture eliminated. Kiln dried timber will not rot because there is not enough moisture. The moisture content has to be a minimum of at least 23 to 25% for most species to begin to germinate. Wet rot is more likely to occur in unseasoned wood or wood covered with paint or plaster not allowing the moisture to escape. Wet rot can only happen by actual contact and if it is cut out the timber kept dry will not be affected any further.
What About Termites?
The main component of wood is cellulose, the natural sugar in fresh wood. Its primary purpose is to energize and give nutrition to the growing tree. Decaying wood is a natural environment for wood destroying organisms that rely upon cellulose and long-standing moisture content with oxygen to survive. Take away any of these organisms and they will not be able to survive. Most wood boring insects must lay their eggs in the summer. All wood destroying organisms have to have the right amount of high moisture content but not too much moisture as extreme moisture will also kill the fungi they need to survive on. Freezing temperatures kill most species of fungi and wood boring insects. If any of these organisms are in excess, too minimal or removed they cannot survive.
What is Sustainable Timber?
Western Timber Frame™ only sources renewable timber directly from mills in the United States that have sustainable and renewable timber growth policies. Western Timber Frame™ personally visits these sites to ensure the highest environmental standards are in place and that these mills use responsible harvesting and forest management. In fact, for every structure that has been built, approximately 49 trees have been planted.
Why is Timber the Most Comfortable Shade Material?
Wood is the world’s best insulator and can carry two different temperatures at the same time on either side, warming up on cold days and cooling off on hot days. It also comes with some extra side benefits, bacteria will not reproduce itself on wood and wood is earth-friendly as well as human-friendly. Timber is more stimulating and rejuvenating to our senses with its warmth, smell, and variations in color.
Warranty
How Long is the Warranty?
Western Timber Frame™ is often asked about weathering, maintenance and material comparison on our timber frame ShadeScape® pergola, arbor, gazebo and pavilion kits. Western Timber Frame™ offers a 25-year warranty on our 8000, 10,000 and 12,000 Series ShadeScape® kits and a 15-year warranty on the 6000 Series ShadeScape® kits. Check out the Western Timber Frame™ website to view the differences between the 6000 ShadeScape® Series and the Oversized ShadeScape® Series heavy timber kits.
However, a warranty is only as good as the manufacturer. Western Timber Frame™ has been working with timber for over 30 years. It is our passion. They back up their products, as shown by across the board 5-star reviews on all 3rd party review platforms from Google to Houzz.
Ordering
How Do I Start?
From the moment of contacting us, you are given a Design Manager. A Design Manager is an expert in the backyard planning and design process. Over the phone, in person, or through email, these Design Managers will help you to determine what the needs are for your unique situation. The Design Manager will give you a Backyard Living Design Consultation™ analyzing your issues, desires, and dreams for your project and assist you in crafting and designing a kit for your specific needs and budget.
What is Your Typical Delivery Lead Time?
The lead-time between the placement of your order and the delivery depend on the size and design of your kit and also the time of year. Typically, we can have your kit ready to ship within 2 ½ -3 ½ weeks. In the contiguous 48 states, shipping time averages around 5 business days, depending on where you are located. Shipping to Alaska or Hawaii would take longer. We will inform you of the estimated delivery date.
How Long Will it Take to Process My Order?
Once a deposit has placed the order can then be processed. Typical processing time is about 3-4 weeks.
How Much Does it Cost?
We actually don’t have prices on our kits because each kit is custom designed and manufactured to your specific needs. The Price fluctuates depending on material supply and a few other factors. That said, we are consistently hundreds to even thousands of dollars lower than comparable size and quality of kits, which is just one of the many reasons we are the #1 pergola and pavilion kit manufacturer in the United States and Canada.
This isn’t a way to keep pricing from our customers (how else would we have 5-star customer reviews on all third-party review sites). It’s actually how we are aggressive in our pricing and what we offer. We constantly adjust our prices relative to the cost of timber to keep them competitive relative to the material costs. We don’t offer cookie cutter kits in a few set sizes. We actually don’t keep any actual “kits” in stock because each kit is a custom creation offered at a kit price.
Instead, what we do is have you work with a Design Manager who can give you a no-obligation quote in less than 20 minutes. Our Design Managers work with you to determine what your needs are for your unique situation. They’re experts in outdoor living environments. They work for you to help you create a truly personal outdoor living space based on your needs. They’ll listen to you, and in turn, ask you questions to help you create a truly inviting outdoor living environment that fits your needs and your budget. This whole process usually takes less than 20 minutes. At this point, they can give you current pricing based on your needs.
At this point, you will have current pricing based on your project requirements. When you move forward with your project, your Design Manager will work with our team of in-house Architects to create a 3D rendering of your outdoor living space.
We offer this as part of every purchase so that you can see a 3D rendering of your project before it’s even built. This is just one of the ways we help you create a beautiful and functional outdoor living space, rather than just toss up a low-quality pergola kit. There are Landscaping Firms that charge hundreds, or even thousands of dollars just for creating a visual 3D representation of your project. We generally do not charge for this service (some complex designs sometimes do require a charge, but this is the exception by far). Not only do we offer this to you as a free service, but we also give you the expertise of a professional Design Manager to assist you along the way at no extra charge.
This is just one of the many ways we work for you to create a handcrafted pergola or pavilion. We also have hundreds of trademarked designs ensuring that your outdoor living space not only fits your lifestyle and budget but is truly unique.
If you’d like more information on the construction of this kit, please contact us at 801-331-6690 and one of our representatives will put you in touch with one of our Design Managers who can give you an estimate in less than 20 minutes.
Shipping
How Much Does Shipping Cost?
Shipping is free across the Contiguous United States.
How Much Does a Kit Weigh?
ShadeScape® kits are shipped out daily throughout North America ranging from 2,500 – 11,000 lbs. (and often heavier on commercial or large custom projects). Custom ShadeScape® timber kits are transported on a semi-trailer because of the sheer mass and weight of the timbers. The average ShadeScape® shipment weighs over 5,500 lbs. Western Timber Frame™ custom builds heavy duty pallets to ship these ShadeScape® kits on just to sustain the mass and weight of the timbers.
What is the Shipment Size?
These are 1,000’s of pounds of custom crafted timbers. The packaged kit will average about 20′ in length, 3′ in height, & 4′ wide. This means that for a DIY pergola kit there is often 20′ or more in length or more of solid pre-stained, pre-cut, and pre-fit beams, posts, rafters, etc.
How Do You Transport a Kit This Size?
Because our kits can weigh thousands of pounds, a forklift is required to load and unload the carrier truck. We will ship your kit to a location with an on-site forklift, such as a business or landscape company.
If you do not have access to a forklift, no problem, you can pick up your kit with a flatbed trailer at the nearest Shipping Terminal. The pallet can then be broken down and the kit unloaded from your trailer by hand at the installation site.
Comparisons – Considerations?
How Does This Kit Compare to Other Kits?
ShadeScape® timbers are not a small bundle of wood or flimsy dimensional lumber from a big box store, but rather a mass of handcrafted timbers for a truly magnificent structure that will last for decades. Compare the difference between the cost and maintenance of a big box store metal, dimensional lumber, vinyl, or a reinforced aluminum pergola kit against a DIY timber frame pergola kit. Pound for pound a timber frame pergola kit costs less, is less maintenance, and will still be standing for the great, great grandchildren to enjoy, years from now.
Wind
How Does ShadeScape® Stand Up to Wind?
A Western Timber Frame™ solid wood timber frame ShadeScape® kit features The Dovetail Difference® with 120+ mph wind ratings that will stand up majestically against the wiles of Mother Nature. A timber frame ShadeScape® shade structure is an investment in children and grandchildren proving to be safer, durable structures more resistant to powerful coastal storms, high winds, heavy snows, and seismic shifting, built to last for centuries. This Pergola withstood Hurricane Irma, a Category 5 Hurricane!
Maintenance
What Kind of Maintenance is Required?
Western Timber Frame™ utilizes a proprietary water-based, in-house UV-stable solid stain to protect and add beauty to our timber kits. Instead of having to reapply stain every 1-2 years, this stain only has to be touched up every 3-5 years. Plus, the touch-up and maintenance process is simple, not labor intensive. It can be applied with a simple spray bottle to any areas that require touch-up in one afternoon. In addition to our industry-leading solid stains, we also have developed the use of a bleaching agent to simulate aged wood when desired.
Sap is Seeping From the Timbers, Is That Normal?
We know that seeping sap can be quite alarming, however, this is a totally normal process. Once your Kit is installed it may drip sap for the first few weeks. The wood is simply acclimating to the environment of your backyard.
How Can I Remove the Sap That is Dripping from My Kit?
We have had success removing sap with turpentine, lacquer thinner, or Goo Gone.
Power
How Easy is it to Add Power?
Western Timber Frame™ has also developed a patent-pending self-contained power post option, termed the TimberVolt® series. Our TimberVolt® power post integrates electrical receptacles and USB ports directly into the Pergola, Pavilion, or Gazebo posts. This allows for easy setup of fans, lighting, televisions, charging of phones, tablets, etc. This system may also include a male plug so that a generator can be attached for easy power in a remote location via our recommended Goal Zero battery-operated generators.
Can I Add Solar Panels To My Kit?
Yes. Combined with one of our timber kits, the possibilities for solar panel installations are endless. Over the past several years, solar companies and contractors across the nation have started to offer our uniquely crafted pergolas and pavilions as a solar site solution that is both beautiful and functional. They’re an aesthetically pleasing alternative to unsightly solar stands or scaffolding, and also save valuable real estate, while simultaneously creating a brand new outdoor living space. With ShadeScape® you can gain a beautiful outdoor living area, instead of sacrificing valuable yard space with solar panels.
Designing A Kit
Can I Have a Custom Size?
Yes. Western Timber Frame™ does not have “kits” in the traditional sense of the word. Not one timber kit is actually pre-stocked at our 20,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility. Instead, each kit is custom designed and crafted for each client’s individual needs and desires. We do not fit clients with pre-made kits. We tailor each timber kit to the customer. Therefore no two kits are the same.
Are All Your Kits Standard Sizes?
We do have some “standard” sizes basically because of timber dimensions but every one of the structures that we build is custom. We measure to fit your space, design, and to suit your style. If you have something particular in mind, one of our project managers can help you design a beautiful, structurally sound timber frame pergola that you have been dreaming of.
Do You Have a Design Service?
Yes, we do. A Design Manager will give you a Backyard Living Design Consultation™. This consultation analyzes your issues, desires, and dreams for your project and assists you in crafting and designing a kit for your specific needs and budget.
Preparation
Can My Concrete Pad Hold My ShadeScape® Kit?
How much load-bearing capacity a concrete block has is determined by a number of factors such as how compact the soil is, the concrete mix, the age, (the hydration and hardening process of concrete causes it to become stronger over time), the size, shape and structural content all have to be taken into consideration. For example, the weight that is brought to bear upon a concentrated point or when it is distributed over a wider area. A block that is used to support an individual column will bear less weight than a load distributed across a network of support from other load bearing units or columns. When weight is uniformly distributed it requires twice as much weight to break it as it would be the weight concentrated at the center.
Concrete is measured for strength in PSI meaning pounds per square inch of pressure that it can bear. A typical residential patio is 4″ thick with an average of 3000 pounds per square inch ratio. It is designed to carry more than the weight of two automobiles. The average compact car is about 3,000 to 3,500 lbs. A mid-size car, van or light truck is about 5,000 to 7,000 lbs. A full-size truck is 7,000 to 12,000 lbs.
Two automobiles covering the same amount of space far outweigh an oversized heavy duty timber frame pergola. The overall total weight of an oversized pergola is nearly 4,000 lbs. which would compute to be around 1,000 lbs. of undistributed weight for each beam. Simulating this would be like placing 4 extra large sized men standing on one corner. After the weight is uniformly distributed between three other beams the PSI is considerably less.
