Which Timber Frame Kit Is Right for You? Compare Our Five Standard Designs

You have narrowed it down to a timber frame kit — a practical next step. The next question we hear is: "Which of your standard frames actually fits my site and how I want to live?" We cut five catalog kits in South Paris, Maine. This guide helps you compare them without re-reading our full kits overview or cost breakdown.

How to think about footprint (20×32 vs 24×27 vs 24×30)

Footprint drives almost everything: foundation cost, roof area, and how many bays you can afford to enclose. Our 20×32 colonial series gives you 640 square feet on one level — a sweet spot for a camp, starter home shell, or studio with loft options. The 24×30 King's Post adds width and a different truss character at 720 square feet. The 24×27 Arch Truss is our two-story option at roughly 1,296 square feet — more frame, more engineering, more budget, but also more room without adding bays.

Before you fall in love with a truss photo, sketch your site constraints: setback lines, driveway access for a flatbed, and where a crane can set up. A frame that fits the catalog but not the pad is the wrong frame.

Truss style comparison

Truss style affects the feel of the great room, headroom at the edges, and how much timber you see overhead.

Kit	Truss character	Starting price
20×32 Tongue & Fork Colonial	Classic colonial; accessible entry price	$36,000
20×32 Center Post Colonial	Center post divides space; strong traditional look	$37,000
20×32 Mid Post	Mid post layout; flexible open-plan feel	$39,000
24×30 King's Post	King's post truss; wider span, dramatic center	$42,000
24×27 Arch Truss (2-story)	Arch truss; two full levels	$52,000

Every kit includes Maine-licensed engineer-stamped plans, CNC precision-cut joinery, numbered timbers, and assembly drawings. For full budget context beyond the frame line item, see our timber frame cost guide.

Open plan vs bedroom count within standard bays

All our catalog frames start as a two-bay module. Within that module, you decide how much open great-room you want versus partitioned sleeping space at enclosure time — the frame gives you the clear span; walls go in during the next phase. Colonial layouts tend to feel room-like because of the posts; mid post and king's post kits often suit owners who want one big living volume with a loft or partial second floor.

If you already know you need a defined two-bedroom layout on one level, bring a rough sketch to your inquiry. We can talk about what the standard bays support before you commit to a truss style.

Modifying a catalog kit

Our shop listings are proven starting points — but bay count, porch projections, and minor span adjustments are common. Modifications typically add engineering and CNC programming time. If your change is more than cosmetic, look at custom frames instead of forcing a catalog SKU.

Match kit to use (home, camp, studio, barn-adjacent)

Year-round home shell: 24×30 or 24×27 if budget allows; 20×32 if you are phasing enclosure.
Camp or seasonal retreat: 20×32 variants — lower kit cost leaves budget for access roads and simple enclosure.
Workshop or studio: Open-plan colonial or mid post; plan wide door openings at foundation stage.
Barn-adjacent: See our barn planning guide — use case matters as much as footprint.

Price tier overview

Kit price is only the frame package. Shipping is quoted , foundation and enclosure are yours, and a crane on raising day is almost always worth it. We do not publish a single all-in number because sites differ — that is what inquiries are for.

Questions we hear when comparing kits

Can I combine two different catalog frames?

Yes — a main house kit plus a smaller frame for a garage wing or porch connection is common. Engineering must address the tie-in; tell us at inquiry so both frames appear on one coordinated plan path.

Does a bigger kit always mean a bigger total build budget?

The frame scales with truss complexity and timber volume, but enclosure and finishes scale with surface area and spec level. A 24×27 two-story kit raises total project cost — not only because of the $52,000 starting frame price, but because you are enclosing and finishing more square footage.

What should I send with my inquiry?

Town or ZIP, site photos, how you plan to use the space (year-round, camp, workshop), and whether you need raising in New England. That gets you a useful answer faster than asking "which kit is best?" without context.

Pick a kit by footprint, truss style, and how you will live in the space — then confirm foundation, enclosure, and raising before you lock the order.