Timber Frame in Eldersburg, MD
HAMMERBEAM TIMBER FRAME PAVILION
Traditional timber-frame craftsmanship meets a compact residential footprint in this custom 12′ x 18′ Grand Teton Timber Frame Pavilion, completed in Eldersburg, Maryland, in 2026. Although smaller than some of Atlantic Outdoors’ large-format timber structures, this pavilion retains the dramatic hammerbeam trusses, arched timberwork, curved knee braces, and exposed wood ceiling that define the Grand Teton design.
The 12′ x 18′ footprint provides approximately 216 square feet of covered outdoor living space. Its rectangular proportions make it well suited for an outdoor dining area, conversation furniture, or a combination of seating and entertaining space without requiring the footprint of a much larger timber pavilion.
The structure is handcrafted from #1 & Better Douglas fir, selected for the heavy timber framework. The material is S4S, or surfaced smooth on all four sides, and FOHC, or free of heart center, providing a refined appearance for timbers that remain prominently exposed throughout the finished pavilion.
What makes the Grand Teton immediately recognizable is the architecture overhead. Two hammerbeam timber bents with arches span the structure, creating a much more decorative interior profile than a conventional post-and-beam pavilion. The sweeping arches draw attention upward and turn the structural framing into one of the pavilion’s primary design features.
Additional 4×10 curved knee braces connect the major timber components. Their curved profile complements the hammerbeam arches and introduces another layer of craftsmanship at the connections between the posts and overhead framing.
Heavy timber rafter plates and a substantial ridge beam complete the primary roof structure. The exact dimensions of these components vary according to the pavilion’s span and final engineering requirements, allowing the Grand Teton design to maintain its characteristic heavy-timber proportions while being properly sized for the individual project.
Above the frame, 2× #1 SPF tongue-and-groove roof decking creates a finished wood ceiling visible throughout the pavilion. An Australian Timber Oil stain was applied to both the structural timbers and tongue-and-groove decking, bringing the different wood components together with a warm, cohesive finish while allowing their natural grain to remain visible.
The exterior roof system includes synthetic roof underlayment, 1½-inch Musket Brown drip edge, and GAF Timberline HD asphalt shingles. This provides a complete weather-protective roof above the exposed timber structure while keeping the handcrafted framing visible from underneath.
Foundation preparation was an important part of this particular project. Rather than relying on a conventional concrete pad alone, the pavilion incorporates four helical piers, with the timber posts mounted above them. Helical piers provide dedicated structural support points below the pavilion and allow loads from the heavy timber frame to be transferred into the supporting soil.
The pavilion itself was prefabricated and delivered as a timber frame kit to Eldersburg, allowing the mortise-and-tenon components to be carefully prepared before arriving at the project site. Combined with the engineered foundation system, this approach creates a permanent heavy-timber structure while minimizing unnecessary construction work at the property.
At just 12′ x 18′, this project demonstrates that the Grand Teton’s signature architecture does not require an enormous footprint. The combination of hammerbeam arches, curved braces, exposed Douglas fir, stained tongue-and-groove decking, and a four-pier foundation creates a compact outdoor pavilion with the craftsmanship and architectural presence of a much larger timber frame.
- Year Completed: 2026
- City: Eldersburg
- County: Carroll
- Price Range: $27,000–$30,000