Barn repair is our bread and butter. PTF repairs barns large and small, from simple sill replacement to complete dismantling. We’ve repaired barns that house chickens, butter churns, sports-cars, and jazz bands. We’ve re-designed barns to comfortably house human animals. Read a chronology of our barn work, below, or about barns featured in our blog.
DESERT OF MAINE, Freeport, ME 2019-2022
Assessed barn. Collaborated with Benjamin Nutter Architects and Gartley & Dorsky to adapt large 19th-century barn as a community concert hall. The barn will be dismantled, repaired, and rebuilt with mezzanine, full basement, exterior insulation walls and elevator.
MEREDITH FARM, Topsfield, MA 2020-2021
Assessed and dismantled barn frame, dendro-dated to winter of 1792. Recreated five white oak king post trusses. Added two additional in-kind bents for an overall footprint of 32′ x 66′.
DELISLE BARN, Newburyport, MA 2019-21
Assessed, dismantled and repaired carriage house frame. Re-designed and rebuilt for domestic adaptive re-use with insulated skin walls.
SCAMMAN BARN, Stratham, NH 2019-2020
With Geddes Building Movers, we lifted the barn and rolled it off its foundation. Built new foundation, rolled barn back. Repaired posts, replaced roof sheathing, hung eastern white cedar shingles. Made window frames and repaired sash. Fabricated huge sliding barn door
HELM BARN, Rye, NH 2020
Dismantled, sorted and stored barn. Frame will be repaired and rebuilt about a mile away from its original location with a new bent and an ell for studio space.
HALLWARD-ROUGH BARN 2020
Barn fire damaged front bent of barn. Replaced sills and post, repaired rafter foot, and tie beam end.
BURD BARN, Kennebunkport, ME 2018-2019
Burd Barn is an 18th century in-town carriage house. The barn was lifted and rolled off its foundation, received a new foundation, new sills and undercarriage. PTF repaired posts, studs and tie beams with traditional scarf joints. Benjamin Nutter redesigned the building for use as a primary bedroom and bath, and convert the property to one-floor living. An article about our process was published in Timber Framing 131
PELILLO BARN 2019
Replaced timber frame barn lost in a fire.
GORANSSON BARN, Eliot, ME 2018
With Geddes building movers, we lifted a standing horse barn, replaced the foundation, sills, and interior piers. Removed old horse stalls and replaced for contemporary horse use (those modern horses, you know). Reinforced loft framing to increase hay capacity. Read more about the process here.
LAPIERRE BARN, Berwick, ME 2018
Replaced sills and basement piers. Repaired rotted posts and replaced eave wall sheathing for continued, active agricultural use.
iFARM IMPLEMENT BARN, Boxford, MA 2017-2018
New 30′ x 70′ timber frame design and construction. Includes new timber-framed king post truss system.
WOODARD BARN, Wolfboro, NH 2017-2018
Assessment and structural frame repair. Replaced sills, first floor joists, roof frame, basement piers, front gable posts. Built breezeway connection to new modular building
BRASEN HILL FARM, Barrington, NH 2017
Dismantled large barn frame, 36′ x 70”, repaired frame, and rebuilt in time for the second cutting. Read more about our process in this blog post about the raising.
LORD BARN, Berwick, ME 2016 – 2017
Documentation, catalogue, and disassembly of a barn. Barn will be repaired and re-erected on the original site. Future use is in the development stage.
JENNISON BARN, Lee, NH 2015 – 2016
The Jennison barn suffered significant damage due to a roof collapse during the 2014-2015 winter season. We documented, measured, and photographed the barn and marked timbers that could be reused in the creation of their new barn prior to demolition. Currently working with client to design new structure that will emulate the original barn while considering their lifestyle and property needs.
LILLOOET CHEESERY, Boxford, MA 2015
Sill replacement, post feet repairs, and moving of barn to new foundation on client’s property for their farming operations.
THOMA BARN, Kittery, ME 2015
Catalogue, documentation, disassembly and repair of very damaged barn frame. New foundation installed and frame was re-erected in same location. Custom designed cupola and standing seam metal roofing was installed.
FOLEY HORSE BARN, Poland, ME 2015
Documentation and catalogue, disassembly, repair, and re-erection of a mid 19th century barn salvaged from a nearby property. The frame was for sale and reworked to become the client’s barn for housing of his draft horses and other livestock.
LITTLE SHED, Keene, NH 2015
Creation of timberframe shed to house antique cars from the elements.
VIENNA FARM, Gorham, ME 2015
Installation of bracing and bolsters beneath broken rafter chords, level barn to plumb using jacks and come-alongs. Installation of new standing seam metal roof by others.
“CHURCHILL” BARN, Barnstead, NH 2015
Documentation, tagging, and dismantling of a barn for repair and re-erection in York, ME as a wedding and event center.
CARROLL BARN, Dover, NH 2015
Client is restoring barn for additional living space. PTF retained to repair post feet, bracing, and ensure new foundation is adequate for frame.
TODD BARN AND ELL, Rowley, MA 2014
Early 20th century, transitional frame, 45’ x 65’ barn in Rowley. Performed repairs to posts, tie beams, and undercarriage.
HEROUX BARN, South Berwick, ME 2014
Documentation, tagging, and dismantling of barn. Barn was resurrected as the Jennison Barn.
LOOK BARN, Montville, ME 2012-2013
Restoration of historic barn on True-Randall Farm in Montville, Maine. Extensive undercarriage repair and replacement of foundation, post replacement, tie beam replacement, exterior trim, window and cladding repair. Construction performed in conjunction with contemporary kitchen installation and repair.
Foley Carpenter’s Shop, Poland, ME 2013
Dismantling, repair and re-erection of small carpenter’s shop in Poland, ME. Repair performed in collaboration with owner
Butcher Barn, Berwick, ME 2012
Assessment, modeling, and structural stabilization
Lemelin Barn, Barrington, NH 2012
Assessment, modeling and structural stabilization
Bright Carriage House, Berwick, ME 2012
Structural stabilization
Woodward Barn, Durham, NH 2012
Structural repair.
Foley Horse and Dairy Barns, Poland and West Poland, ME 2011-12
Stripping, tagging and complete disassembly of horse barn in West Poland, ME. The barn was stored and moved to its new site in Poland, ME where it will be resurrected. Read our blog post about this project.
Calareso Farm Stand, Reading Massachussetts 2011
Raising of a TimberPeg Frame.
I-Farm, Boxford, Massachusetts 2009-ongoing
I-Farm is a multi-building complex soon to become a working farm that teaches early farm technology and sustainable agricultural practices. Our work there began with the complete restoration of an historic barn that had been built with timbers reused from an earlier English barn. After being rebuilt, the barn was used for a dairy and hay storage. Our recent projects include the restoration of a water tower and utility shed. Currently, we are restoring the main residence and building a timber-framed addition to the kitchen ell.
Peter Poor Barn, Lebanon, Maine 2011-12
Assessment and demolition of barn ruined by ice storm damage. Design and build of new barn re-using salvageable original parts. See photos, here.
Bagley Barn, Berwick, Maine 2010
Built in 1876, the Bagley Barn has a transitional frame with 2 x 4 horizontal nailers tenoned into posts. Its footprint is 34′ x 30′. The posts, 7 x 7’s, were undersized. This barn required a complete undercarriage restore and rebuild. Given the damage, we were still able to recycle two thirds of the original timbers.
The back half of the roof needed to be completely rebuilt and there, we were able to re-use two of the original rafters. Exterior trim and doors were rebuilt using recycled historic material. The re-use of appropriate materials is central to our approach to historic preservation.
Norlands Barn, Washburn-Norlands Living History Center, Livermore, Maine 2009-10
Norlands Living History Museum. Design of timber framed barn to replace original barn lost to fire. Traditional joinery techniques from the late 19th century employed in the design and extensive research compiled from remaining existing structures on the property.
Trask Barn, Wilton, Maine 2009
Structural repairs to late 19th century barn attached to historic extended cape. Work included negotiations with insurance company to justify snow load damage and the repair of tie beams and a queen rod truss that had been damaged by heavy snow.
Moses Randall Barn, New Durham, New Hampshire 2008-09
Complete preservation of 20-foot square original hand hewn English barn on fourth generation homestead. The barn was disassembled, new crushed stone piers set below grade and the timber frame repaired with traditional repair joinery and timbers cut on the property using a two-horse team and portable saw mill.
Trickey Barn, Jackson, New Hampshire 2008
The full documentation and dismantling of a mid-19th century double English tie beam barn. Barn stalls, dairy troughs along with flooring were catalogued and the frame was carefully tagged and taken apart and placed in storage trailers in readiness to become the town’s new public library.
Moffat Ladd Counting House, Portsmouth, NH 2008-2009
Extensive structural repairs of the “Counting House” including sills, floor girts and timber framed elements in the front eave wall. Siding and Roofing removed and repaired in kind. Extensive structural repairs to “Back Ell” including the replacement of porch posts to more closely match the original configuration of the ell. Roof structure was repaired and new sheathing placed before installing a new white cedar shingle roof. Copper gutters were also installed to direct rain water for use in the gardens.
Dove Barn, Eliot, Maine 2008
Re-assembly of a 40 by 60 foot timber frame Yankee barn. The frame was removed from storage, catalogued, measured and repaired. The raising was done using local friends and neighbors with concentrated training and safety protocols established. With some instruction, Art and Annie Dove sided and roofed the barn themselves.
Parson’s Clark Barn, Topsfield, Massachusetts 2007
A comprehensive timber frame repair of a bank barn with at grade entry on all three floors. Sills, posts, tie beams and top plates all repaired to match original configuration. New oak ramps and entry doors, windows, lofts and flooring replaced in kind.
Schutte Barn, Ipswich, Massachusetts 2007
The Schutte barn is an 18th century English tie beam barn originally located near the center of Ipswich. It was dismantled in 2004 and was repaired with appropriate historic materials. It was erected on a new concrete and face stone foundation according to designed landscape plans that match traditional barn yards seen in the first period of settlement in Massachusetts.
Bryan Blacksmith Shop, North Berwick, Maine 2005
Complete structural restoration of early 19th century blacksmith’s shop. The building was very close to a four corners and was run into by a bus. The frame was disassembled and repaired by gluing splintered fabric with West system epoxy and many traditional timber repairs were also made. The frame was placed on its original foundation stones and sheathed and roofed.
Bryan Barn, North Berwick, Maine 2005
Preservation of late 19th century barn including perimeter sills, floor girts and joists. Posts were replaced in kind as necessary and exterior siding was replaced to match the original form of the building.
Moffat Ladd Counting House, Portsmouth, NH 2008-2009
Extensive structural repairs of the “Counting House” including sills, floor girts and timber framed elements in the front eave wall. Siding and Roofing removed and repaired in kind. Extensive structural repairs to “Back Ell” including the replacement of porch posts to more closely match the original configuration of the ell. Roof structure was repaired and new sheathing placed before installing a new white cedar shingle roof. Copper gutters were also installed to direct rain water for use in the gardens.
Hill Barn, Hampton, New Hampshire 2005
Extensive structural repairs of mid- 19th century dairy barn including perimeter sills and an entire timber undercarriage. The barn was racked back into plumb and posts were spliced and girts and braces were replaced to re-introduce structural and historical integrity into the frame. Exterior sheathing and a new standing seam roof were installed.
Cook Barn, North Berwick, Maine 2004
Relocated and repaired an 18th century English tie beam barn from Durham, Maine to North Berwick, Maine. Frame was tagged, disassembled, repaired in kind with native hemlock and pine and raised for use as a barn and studio space. Barn was placed on a concrete foundation originally intended for a modular home since removed. An ell was added to fit the foundation.
Shirley-Eustis Carriage Barn, Brookline, Massachusetts 1999
Complete dismantling of Ingersoll-Gardner carriage barn in Brookline, Massachusetts. The frame was photo-documented, tagged and catalogued. All repairs to frame were done using traditional timber repair techniques matching the original fabric in both size and species. Epoxy repairs made where appropriate.
Cantwell Barn, Berwick, Maine 1997-98
Reproduced 19th century center drive barn from burned remains of original barn and family photographs collected from neighbors and their families. Barn re-created in hemlock and pine to match the original barn configuration including queen rod truss long oak corner braces and principle rafter, principle purlin, common rafter roof system.
Beal Barn, Cape Neddick, Maine 1997
New 30’x 50′ horse barn built with hand hewn and sawn beams in the tradition of the English Tie Beam barn. Eve and gable entry into drive bay with 4 horse stalls. Each stall exits out to a timber framed open air shelter attached to the main frame. Barn is double boarded with a standing seam roof. All doors and windows created on site.
This is a representative, and incomplete, list of all our barn work; please contact Emilee Bolduc for more information