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Build the Home That Frees You to Live

From learning to cut your own frame to complete design-build services, we've been helping people think, build, and live better since 1974.

Get In Touch
Bright wooden interior of timber frame room with large windows and trees

Who Are We?

Three generations of Maine timber framers combining traditional craftsmanship with cutting-edge energy efficiency.

Wooden cabin under construction in a sunny forest clearing

Three Paths to Your Timber Frame Dream

01 | Complete Design Build

Your Dream Timber Frame Built by Our Experienced Crew

Our most comprehensive service covers everything from initial design (foundation, first floor platform, timber frame, SIP enclosure) through the timber frame and SIP shell built on your site. We design your custom timber frame and SIPs shell, engineer your foundation, cut everything in our Maine shop, then bring your frame and our crew to your site for professional raising and SIP installation.

Our PROCESS

The design phase

  • You will work with our design and engineering team to create your custom timber frame. This is a completely iterative process
  • Some of our clients are interested in working with an architect or architectural designer to complete their floor plans and construction drawings. We are happy to provide you with a list of suggestions based on previous projects
  • We design and engineer the foundation, the first floor platform (if over basement, crawl space or piers) and the timber frame. All plans receive a Maine State P.E. stamp

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The cutting and curation phase

  • Our expert crew of timber framers will cut your timber frame right here at our shop in Woolwich, Maine
  • We curate your SIP package with proper window and door rough openings

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The raising phase

  • We arrive at your site on an agreed upon date and complete our scope of work for your project
  • This is always a blast and we highly encourage you to be at the site during the raising if at all possible
What Are SIPs?

Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) are high-performance building panels that combine rigid foam insulation sandwiched between two structural facings, creating walls and roofs that go up fast and perform beautifully for decades. Unlike traditional stick framing with insulation stuffed between studs, SIPs deliver continuous exterior insulation with no thermal bridging—meaning your home stays comfortable year-round with significantly lower energy bills. The factory-precision fit creates an airtight shell that eliminates drafts and increases efficiency while dramatically reducing construction time on site. It's the perfect modern partner to traditional timber framing: timeless beauty inside, cutting-edge efficiency all around.

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FULL-SErVICE INCLUDES
  • Foundation design and engineering
  • First floor platform design engineering and installation
  • Custom timber frame design, engineering and installation 
  • Second floor decking installation
  • Gypsum (or other media that is installed in between the timber frame and SIP enclosure) installation
  • SIP wall and roof system design, engineering and installation
  • We are also happy to help you find an architect and general contractor for your project based on previous projects
On Site

We complete 1,700 square feet of timber frame and SIP enclosure every three days on site.

PERFECT FOR

Clients who want the complete Shelter experience from design through timber frame and SIP shell installation on your site.

Inquire Now
Wooden timber frame interior with triangular windows overlooking forest

"It went up so quick - it was like magic. I've been watching the Shelter videos for a long time, so I kind of knew what to expect, but once you see it unfold before your eyes... Every single fellow really worked their hearts out. It seemed to be personal. They really took their time. If things didn't fit, they made it fit, calmly and lovingly. They made my dream come true. This is everything. The view out of every window is just spectacular. I was very blessed. Anybody who has any doubts about doing a timber frame, I want them to get them out of their mind and just do it, because they make it happen for you. This was really a dream come true."

— Mary
Complete DESIGN BUILD CLIENT
VIEW MARY’S BUILD
VIEW FINAL RESULT

02 | Cut & Ship Package

Designed and Cut In Our Shop, Delivered to You

Work with our design team to create your dream timber frame, then let our timber frame crew cut it with precision in our shop in Maine. Every timber is shaped using traditional techniques and carefully shipped to your site with all fasteners, pegs and wedges ready for raising.

OUR PROCESS

The design phase

  • You will work with our design and engineering team to create your custom timber frame. This is a completely iterative process
  • We design and engineer the foundation, the first floor platform (if over basement, crawl space or piers) and the timber frame. All plans receive a Maine State P.E. stamp

‍

The cutting phase

  • Our expert crew of timber framers will cut your timber frame right here at our shop in Woolwich, Maine

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The shipping phase

  • We will either arrange the shipping of your frame for you or you can come pick it up yourself
PERFECT FOR

Clients who want custom design quality and the speed of our crew cutting their frame. This is also great for general contractors or developers looking for timber frames that they can build themselves.

DISCUSS CUT & SHIP
Red truck with construction materials parked in forested gravel areaWorker in red shirt and cap measures wooden beam in workshop

03 | Custom Cutsheet Package

Your Custom Timber Frame Blueprints

Get the precision of professional engineering with the satisfaction of cutting your own frame. Our comprehensive cut sheet packages include foundation design, first floor platform design (in the case of a basement, crawl space or piers) complete timber frame engineering, detailed lumber lists, and precise measurements for every face of every timber with all joinery locations.

Your COMPLETE PACKAGE INCLUDES
  • Foundation design and engineering
  • Custom timber frame design
  • Maine state P.E. stamp
  • Detailed lumber list with specifications
  • Cut sheets showing every timber face with joinery measurements
  • Technical support throughout your build
PERFECT FOR

Experienced builders, contractors, and graduates of Shelter Courses who want professional drawings that are easy to understand and create your timber frame with.

REQUEST CUT SHEETS
Hands holding technical blueprint and pencil in woodworking workshopCarpenter measuring wooden board with yellow tape measure and marking document

Our design team worked with Russ to design and engineer his timber frame home and foundation that he then cut and raised on his own. We helped Russ from ideation through the design and cutsheet process and guided him through the raising of his frame. We then visited Russ to tour his incredible home.

Want to build your own home?

Check out Shelter Courses where you can learn to do just that!

ONLINE LEARNING

Building History

Finished Homes

While we only build the timber frame and SIP shell on any given project, these are some examples of our projects, finished.

Red barn with four white garage doors, metal roof, and surrounding trees on gravel driveway.
Modern open-concept barn home with exposed wood beams, kitchen, dining area, and living room.
Modern farmhouse interior with exposed wooden beams, open kitchen, and living areas
Modern open-plan living space with exposed wooden beams, large windows, contemporary furniture, and pendant lighting.
Modern white farmhouse with dual cupolas, dark metal roof, and multiple large windows
Modern farmhouse garage with metal roof, double doors, surrounded by landscaped lawn and trees
Modern gray house with large windows surrounded by autumn trees and stone foundation.
Modern wooden cabin interior with wood stove, large windows, and minimalist furniture.
Spacious modern timber frame living room with exposed wooden beams and multiple windows.
Interior wooden ceiling and beams with pine flooring in bright natural light
Modern orange wood-sided house with dark roofs nestled among tall forest trees and rocky terrain.
Red farmhouse with metal roof, wooden garage doors, and white trim surrounding green landscaping
Classic cars displayed in a wooden-beamed garage workshop with pendant lighting.
Worker in helmet and red shirt working outdoors with sunlight filtering through trees

What Sets Shelter Apart

Teaching What We Build

As both educators and builders, we bring unmatched expertise to every project. Our team teaches hundreds of students annually—we don't just talk about quality construction, we teach it.

Traditional Meets Modern

Hand-cut mortise-and-tenon joinery paired with structural insulated panels (SIPs) delivers both long lasting beauty with the efficiency of an air tight shell for maximum efficiency and lower utility bills.

Maine-Made Quality

Every timber is shaped in our shop using tools and techniques that we've tested and refined over five decades. No shortcuts, no surprises.

Complete Engineering

From foundation design through structural engineering, our in-house team ensures every project receives a Maine state P.E. stamp.

Proven Speed

Our experienced crews complete 1,700 square feet of timber frame and SIP enclosure installation every three days on site.

Three Generations Of Timber Framers

Family-owned since 1974, three generations of Hennins bring 50 years of hands-on building experience to every timber frame we design and raise.

WATCH US IN ACTION

Shelter Builds Series

Follow our latest timber frame projects from cutting to raising in our exclusive Build Series. See traditional joinery techniques, modern SIP installation, and the teamwork that creates homes built to last generations.

View All Episodes

Kimberly’s Series

50+

years of continuous operation and refinement

500+

timber frame structures built by our crews across America

18,000+

students taught in our building courses

3

generations of family leading the company

16,000

square feet of fabrication space

1,700

square feet of timber frame and SIP installed on site every 3 days

50+

years of continuous operation and refinement

500+

timber frame structures built by our crews across America

18,000+

students taught in our building courses

3

generations of family leading the company

16,000

square feet of fabrication space

1,700

square feet of timber frame and SIP installed on site every 3 days

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