Our Kit-Set Barn Frames can form the structural and architectural feature of a range of designs from modern to traditional.
Barn style homes are growing in popularity in New Zealand and abroad. They offer a timeless beauty that harks back to a slower paced and more simple way of life. Incorporating a timber frame within the barn shape as it’s main structural element offers the solidity, character and warmth of large timbers which will last hundreds of years.
We have been building barn-style homes for almost 20 year and the kit-set range is a culmination of our efforts to find barns which are beautiful, structural and cost effective for a range of sizes and can be easily modified to meet a range of needs. Our standard barns are 4.8m; 6m and 8m wide. The timber sizing is typically 200mm x 200mm for posts and top plates and 250mm x 200mm for tie beams. Our roof structure has been engineered to cope with most wind and earthquake combinations around NZ. Our joinery is still done by hand and includes the age old craft of mortise and tenon joinery using oak pegs to join the timbers together. We use hidden hardware to connect minor timbers which are housed into larger beams.
Our modular approach allows you to make the barn as long as you like with standard bay lengths of 3 or 4m. We also offer mezzanine modules which allow you to add cost-effective upper story spaces. The use of a second story is one of the keys to making barn living affordable. we also offer veranda lean-to’s on one or both sides of the barn in standard 3m modules. These can offer affordable extensions to your living area, be used to add bedrooms or to create complementary outside entertaining areas.
Our kit-sets are all made from New Zealand grown timber, either Macrocarpa or Douglas Fir. These two species are ideal for timber framing due to their structual integrity, durability and grain. Our team at Mohaka River Sawmill logs the trees and mills the timber for the farm here on site. You are welcome to come and visit us during the milling or construction phase where you can watch our local team of craftsman at work.
Our barns are engineered to meet council requirements throughout the country. The timbers are chamfered on the edges, finished with a textured finish (smooth but retaining the circular saw marks) and supplied with a coat of your choice of oil from The Natural House Company. We include freight to site in our pricing and can supply the barn as a kit-set for you and your friends or builder to raise or our experienced team can travel to site to raise it typically over 3 to 5 days.
The barn is normally raised on a concrete foundation supplied by yourself but can also be raised on a timber subfloor. Once the barn frame is standing, the roofing, wall framing (if residential) and cladding can proceed by your local builder.
MONTANA BARN
Our Montana frame incorporates Collar Tie Trusses at 1.2m centres. The standard knee wall height (second story side wall) is 1.6m enabling the average person to stand upright within 500mm of the side walls. Center posts support the tie beams (running across the building) where mezzanine lofts are included. As with our other barns, 30 or 35 degrees is our standard roof pitch with 10 degrees for the lean-to’s. Curved braces give support and beauty to the barn.
Our most popular size is our 6m wide barn with 3 bays offering a 72m2 ground floor area. This is ideal for a secondary dwelling or garage with sleeping accommodation above. If lean-to’s are added then the barn can accommodate a comfortable 3 bedroom home.
ENGLISH BARN
The English Barn design was developed in Europe and is the most common design used by pioneers in the USA and Canada. We have used this design to span 8m which is the longest standard log length that we can get consistent supply for. These long tie-beams are supported in the center by a middle post. The tie beam supports two queen posts which run upwards to support under-purlins which pick up the rafter load in mid-span. Lean-to’s can be added as separate structures or can be included at the eave to extend the roof line. This creates a classic barn look with a lot of functional floor space ideal for a larger family home.
EXAMPLES OF THE ENGLISH BARN DESIGN
Veranda / Lean-to’s and Pergola’s
Our standard lean-to’s are engineered for a 3m span and 10 degree roof pitch. The 200mm x 200mm posts, curved braces and exposed rafters create a beautiful aesthetic. If exposed to the elements then we use heart Macrocarpa and detail our design to meet council requirements.
Single-story Barn Frames
Our single story designs are perfect for incorporating into a larger home or as an outdoor pavilion. Our standard design comes in 3 styles and with a width of 3.6m; 4.8m or 6m and bays at 3 to 4m spacings. The standard eave height is 2.7m but can be raised to accommodate a lean-to if desired. Standard post and top plate dimensions are 200mm x 200mm with 200mm x 100mm trusses.
Garage Barn
Our garage barn frame is designed to be made almost completely from Macrocarpa and comes in 2 to 6 bays. The steeper roof pitch creates an ideal storage or sleeping loft.
