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28×20 Timber Frame Saltbox

28x20 Saltbox Timber Frame Plan

Embrace a timeless profile with our 28 × 20 Timber‑Frame Saltbox. Built with straightforward common trusses and collar ties, this frame goes up faster yet still showcases authentic pegged joinery. Leave those collar ties exposed and one side of the home soars to 19′‑6″, flooding the main room with light and creating an airy, two‑story volume straight out of early‑American history. A full loft spans the other half of the footprint, giving you a flexible upper level for a bedroom, studio, or hay storage—whatever fits your lifestyle.

Efficient Footprint, Endless Possibilities

  • Ground Floor: 560 sq ft—ideal for living space, workshop, or animal stalls
  • Loft: 280 sq ft—perfect for sleeping, office, or gear storage
  • Total: 840 sq ft of adaptable timber‑framed space
    With its classic “two stories in front, one in back” roofline, this saltbox can serve equally well as a rustic cabin, compact barn, or garage‑plus‑workshop. The steep front roof sheds rain and snow with ease, while the long rear roof gives you extra headroom where you need it most.

Ready-To-Raise™ Kits—Speed Meets Precision

Skip the guesswork: order the Ready-To-Raise™ Kit and receive every timber pre‑cut, pre‑drilled, and clearly labeled.

  • CNC‑cut 8× posts and beams, 6× collar ties, and common trusses
  • Traditional mortise‑and‑tenon joinery pre‑fit in the shop
  • Hardware, pegs, and step‑by‑step raising guide included
  • Your crew (or an ambitious DIY team) can lift and peg the frame in days, not weeks—saving labor cost and getting you under roof sooner.

Custom Design—Tailored to Your Site & Style

Need a steeper rear pitch for snow country, dormers in the loft, or an attached lean‑to? Our design team will customize any element—from window placement and floor‑plan tweaks to species selection and hybrid steel connections. We’ll deliver updated engineering and shop drawings ready for permit, milling, and delivery.

Buy This Plan

This plan provides detailed, easy-to-follow blueprints, perfect for anyone building their own timber frame.

Buy Plans $97

Customize or Kit

Do you like this plan but need to change it a little, or do you want a complete Ready-To-Raise Kit?

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Use our online calculator to get a quote for a complete Ready-To-Raise™ Kit.  Just need your zip code.

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What's Included

Design and Engineering

Timber Frame Design and Engineering Services

We take immense pride in our team of exceptionally skilled timber frame designers. Each member is not only equipped with the finest tools but also possesses a profound understanding of how different materials intricately come together to realize your vision. This deep expertise in both design and material synergy is crucial in crafting the ideal timber frame structure tailored just for you.

Our commitment to excellence extends to our engineering team, specialists in timber frame structures, many of whom hold doctorates in their field. Sharing your passion for timber framing, our engineers work closely with you, ensuring that every aspect of the frame's design is customized to suit your specific location. This collaborative process guarantees that you receive all necessary documentation for permits, including detailed engineered reaction diagrams, ensuring your construction proceeds smoothly and stays on schedule.

The culmination of this meticulous process is a comprehensive set of construction drawings. These detailed plans not only provide a clear guide for your kit's assembly but also include a complete list of timbers and fasteners, serving as an invaluable reference throughout the installation of your frame. Our goal is to ensure that every step, from initial design to final construction, is seamless, transparent, and perfectly aligned with your project's needs.

Timbers, Joinery and Connections

Timber Frame Joinery and Connections Offered

After we've collaboratively chosen the ideal wood type for your project, we proceed to source the highest quality timber through our network of trusted mills. Ensuring that every piece meets our exacting standards, we then transport the timber to one of our cutting facilities. There, the joinery is meticulously crafted using CNC machines. Every joint, drilling, mortise, and tenon is cut with precision, adhering to tight tolerances for impeccable quality and fit.

Following the cutting process, all timbers are systematically labeled according to the production numbers assigned during the creation of your model and plans. This meticulous process ensures that every component of your timber frame is prepared with the utmost attention to detail, ready for the next phase of your project.

Included with your package are all the pegs, fasteners, screws, and connectors you need to put your ready-to-raise frame together. You will also get a detailed list for you to refer to while raising your frame.

Shipping and Delivery

Ready To Raise™ Timber Frame Kit Delivery

We carefully package and securely transport your timber frame and all necessary hardware directly to your location. In sync with you, we'll coordinate the delivery schedule, ensuring that we agree on an approximate time on the designated date. To facilitate a smooth and safe unloading process, it's important to have equipment on hand capable of lifting up to 5,000 lbs. Once everything is delivered and in place, the exciting phase of bringing your project to life begins.

Project Support

Timber Frame Project Manager

At Timber Frame HQ, we embrace the philosophy of 'One Person, One Project.' This approach ensures that each client is paired with a dedicated Project Manager who will be your point of contact throughout the entire project. We believe in offering personalized, consistent support to make your journey with us as smooth and fulfilling as possible.

Our commitment extends beyond just providing exceptional timber frames. As your construction resource, we'll be by your side for the duration of your project, ready to offer expert advice, support, and answers to all your queries. Our goal is to make the process of raising your timber frame not just successful, but also a deeply rewarding experience.

We invite you to visit our '
About Us' page to learn more about our values, our team, and how we can bring your timber framing vision to life with a touch of personal care and professional excellence.

View Our Interactive 3d Model 

We understand that every project is unique, so we offer extensive customization options for our plans and kits. Choose from various sizes, roof styles, and finishes to match your style and landscape. Our design team is dedicated to helping you create the perfect plan that reflects your vision. 

Here's How You Can Get Started:

  • Phone: Call us at 888-552-9379 (9–5, M–F) to speak with one of our experts.
  • Email: Send your questions to projects@timberframehq.com, and we will respond within two business days
  • Online Form: Please complete the form below, and we will respond promptly.

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44 thoughts on “28×20 Timber Frame Saltbox”

  1. This website is a great resource! Glad I discovered it. Can you tell me the pitch of the saltbox plan, or if it is variable?

    Thanks!

    –Bruce Gordon

  2. Hi Brice,

    I’m looking for a cabin plan and am comparing this with your 20×24 Queen Post Plan with Loft.
    Can you please give a rough estimate of differences in build cost and ease of building?
    I’m in Australia – have you had any experience using the eucalyptus timbers?
    Great website!

    Regards
    David

  3. I have no experience with the building cost in Australia or eucalyptus timbers. There is an article in the Timber Framing Journal Number 74 about a gentleman Rob Hadden that was building his own timber frame. I would search out any timber framers in your area (it may be a big area) and talk to them. I bet they are more than happy to share their knowledge.

  4. Hard to say exactly. Depends largely on the species of wood that you choose and where you get it from. Sorry to be vague but would need more info to help you out.

  5. Can you advise your concept for footing this plan and transferring the weight load of 9 posts to ground? Concrete footers to below frost line or…?

  6. I have a stock of 4×6 and 4×10 clear douglas fir in lengths up to 18 feet. Would these be usable in this plan?

  7. Do you have any photos of the cabin or timber frame finished out? I am a home builder in Oklahoma and am planning on building some cabins for rentals and wondering how the finish cabin looks . We would need to add a porch on one side for sure. Thanks Dale

  8. It’s always desirable to have some overhang to protect wood siding… How can it be added to this salt box frame?

  9. Looking for plans for a timber frame car port
    24×20 for storing my pontoon boat in during the winter months and useing it as a party pavilion in the summer/early fall .
    My thought is to build it near the lake and simply pull the pontoon in during the winter
    20 ft wide and 24 long with an unobstructed drive through
    Can you help
    Plans would be used for both building and acquiring building permits
    Mike Dagelen

  10. Graham Holland

    Can you please tell me what the height of the loft section floor to the rafter tie (effectively the ceiling height of the loft) and the loft section floor to the bottom of the plate on the taller side?

    Are the plans for traditional joinery or steel fixings?

    Many thanks, big fan here in the UK

  11. Katrina Williams

    Graham, it is 7′-1.5″ from the loft floor to the bottom of the rafter tie. It is 6′-1.5″ from the loft floor to the TOP of the plate (the plate is an 8×10). The plans are for traditional joinery. Thank you for your support!

  12. Do you have any “finished” pics of salt box design
    And are there multiple ways to anchor posts in your design plans?

  13. Ahoy!
    I am hoping to build in Kauai in an area that requires houses to be on stilts. Can this plan be built on an elevated “platform” to abide by local codes?

  14. I looking for a 13 x20, loft on house side and a hip on right side towards neighbors house , overhangs as long as possible work sidewalk all the way around , dormer for light on south side in open area, not loft side , and like to see former on both brands south side

  15. Im looking for a 24×30 plan small house with an upstairs loft … that looks similar to what you have here

  16. What is the first and loft ceiling heights at? Id like to modify the roof to allow for an overhang but dont want my overhang coming down too low and obstructing my views as I plan to use the 19’6″ side as my south facing window wall.

  17. Katrina Williams

    We do take on custom projects. Check out our page HERE describing what we offer and the process of our custom design services.

  18. Always admired timber frame steuctures and thinking of a mountain getaway constructed of timberframe.

  19. I am interested in the Saltbox design, but the space where I am considering it for is smaller. Would it be possible to scale this design back for a foot print of 20’x14′ ? Also depending on the height of the taller side, possibly altering that dimension as well.

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