Build an Antique-Style Post-and-Beam Shed with Modern Construction Details - Fine Homebuilding FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter Instagram Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Main Menu
Subscribe

In every issue you'll find...

  • Expert insights on techniques and principles
  • Unbiased tool reviews
  • Step-by-step details to master the job
  • Field-tested advice and know-how
Subscribe Now!
Subscribe
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
  • Join
  • Log In
Main Menu Subscribe
How-To

Build an Antique-Style Post-and-Beam Shed with Modern Construction Details

Sturdy metal hardware takes the place of traditional, time-consuming timber-frame joinery in this contemporary take on the classic storage shed.

By Joseph Truini Issue 284 – July 2019
Article Image

Synopsis: In this excerpt from his book Building Sheds (The Taunton Press, 2016), Joseph Truini gives instructions for building a modern post-and-beam shed with a conventionally framed 2×6 floor, assembled with metal fasteners called T-Rex connectors from Connext Post and Beam. He describes three jigs that help frame the shed, and then explains the process of raising the frame, siding the shed, and installing windows and doors. Illustrations give details of the frame and door assembly.


Unlike in a traditional post-and-beam structure, there’s not a single scarf joint or mortise-and-tenon joint in this whole shed. Built on a conventional 2×6 floor, the frame is assembled with metal fasteners called T-Rex connectors. Each connector’s flange is screwed to a supporting member, and its leg slides into a post or beam with a slot cut to receive it. These joints are held together with aluminum pins. This modern construction method might not impress timber-frame purists, but it does provide a quick and strong way to build a beautiful post-and-beam structure. While it’s attractive on the outside, what makes this build truly special is what’s visible on the inside: an exposed frame of large white-pine timbers that would warm the heart of any barn builder.

The timber frame

This spacious 14-ft. by 20-ft. post-and-beam shed melds traditional architecture with modern building methods, resulting in a timberframe building that goes up surprisingly fast. The floor is framed fairly conventionally with 2x lumber (see inset), and topped by a frame of rough-sawn, full-dimension 6×6 posts, 6×10 beams, and 4×8 rafters, with a few other sizes mixed in for girts, plates, and bracing. The walls are braced with diagonal 4x5s, and the window and door openings are framed with 4x4s and 4x5s. All of the timbers are white pine, sourced from a local sawmill. Other species of wood can work just as well, although most are heavier.

Attach the connector. With its edges flush with the edges of the plywood deck, fasten the connector to the floor and the blocking below with six 4-in.-long structural screws. Hammer a 1/2-in. by 6-in. aluminum pin through each hole to secure the posts.

Buy-and-build kit

All the metal connectors, building plans, and jigs needed to erect a post-and-beam frame can be purchased through Connext Post and Beam (ctpostandbeam.com). T-Rex connectors are available for various sizes of posts and beams, including both rough-sawn lumber and standard nominal lumber.

Raise the frame

The 6×6 posts attach directly to the floor framing, and support an overhead framework of horizontal timbers: two 6×10 plate beams that span the length of the barn (the ends of the plate beams overhang the end posts by 2 in.), three 6×10 crossbeams that run perpendicular to the plate beams, and three 6×6 joists that fit between two crossbeams to frame the loft. a dozen 4×8 rafters spaced 44 in. apart—flanked by 4×6 fly rafters on the gable ends—come together along with a 2×10 ridge to form the gable roof.

From Fine Homebuilding #284

To read the entire article, please click the View PDF button below.

More about sheds:

  • Build a Budget-Friendly Shed – Create a traditional style shed that provides ample storage for just $2000. 
  • How To Build a Tool Shed – Building a tool shed is easy with this collection of videos and articles that will help get you started on the right track.
  • Eight Sheds With Functional Flair – These sheds are guaranteed to provide building design inspiration.

Sign up for eletters today and get the latest how-to from Fine Homebuilding, plus special offers.

Sign Up

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

×
View PDF
X
X

New Feature

Fine Homebuilding Forums

Ask questions, offer advice, and share your work

Comments are closed.

Up Next

Featured Story

porch ceilings

Exterior Finishes

Take a look at some of the key design details and materials used to clad the outside of the 2020 FHB House.

Featured Video

Install Cable Rail Around Wood-Post Corners

How to Install Cable Rail Around Wood-Post Corners

Use these tips to keep cables tight and straight for a professional-looking deck-railing job.

Related Stories

  • Retrofit of a Timber-Frame Farmhouse

  • Celebrating Efficient Post-and-Beam Construction

  • Ditch the Hose

  • Successful Floors With Trusses

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
View More Create Post

Highlights

  • Fine Homebuilding All Access
  • Fine Homebuilding Podcast
  • Tool Tech

    Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

  • "I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.

    Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

    Sign Up See all newsletters

Video

View All
  • 2020 FHB House: Framing Changes and Construction Delays

  • framing a roof with larry haun

    Framing a Roof With Larry Haun

  • framing walls with larry haun

    Framing Walls with Larry Haun

  • Framing Floors and Stairs with Larry Haun

View All

Window and Door Installation

View All
  • Replacing a Basement Door

  • Flangeless Windows Done Right

  • Fitting New Windows in a Crooked Old House

  • How to Install Doors in Thick Walls

View All

BOOKS, DVDs, & MERCH

Shop the Store
  • Code Check Building 4th Edition

    Buy Now
  • Musings of an Energy Nerd

    Buy Now
  • 2020 Fine Homebuilding Archive

    Buy Now
Shop the Store

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 297 - February/March 2021

    • Foundations for Success
    • Staircase Renovation
    • Ditch the Hose
  • Issue 296 - Dec 2020/Jan 2021

    • Insulating Glass Keeps Getting Better
    • Simple Way to Make Old Walls Straight and Plumb
    • Making Sense of Minisplits
  • Issue 295 - Kitchens & Baths

    • Condo Kitchen Reimagined
    • Row-House Remodel
    • Rise of the IAQ Monitor
  • Issue 294 - Oct/Nov 2020

    • Schoolhouse Reimagined
    • Tool Test: Folding Sawhorses
    • A Better Way to Build Tall Walls
  • Issue 293 - Aug/Sept 2020

    • A Practical Guide to Fall Protection
    • Installing Frameless Cabinets
    • Make Any Tablesaw Safer

Fine Homebuilding

Follow

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Sign Up See all newsletters

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Manage Preferences

Taunton Network

  • Green Building Advisor
  • Fine Woodworking
  • Fine Gardening
  • Threads
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
  • Careers
  • Copyright
  • Terms of Use
  • Accessibility

© 2021 The Taunton Press, Inc. All rights reserved.

    Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk
  • Account

  • Log In
  • Join

    Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk
  • Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

    Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

    All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

    Shop the Store

  • Books
  • DVDs
  • Taunton Workshops

    More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast
  • Customer Support

    Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Sign Up See all newsletters

Follow

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 52%

Subscribe

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in