A timber frame project doesn’t start at installation. It starts well before, with the thinking, the plans, the choice of materials and the preparation at the factory.
Whether it’s a covered deck, an outdoor pavilion, a wood gazebo, an addition, an entryway or an architectural structure, planning is an essential step. A solid wood timber frame takes time, precision and good coordination between the client, the contractor, the designer and the manufacturer.
At De Bois Blouin, every timber frame project is handled with rigour, from raw lumber to a ready-to-assemble product. Our family business, located in Saint-Jean-de-l’Île-d’Orléans, has been working with wood for more than 75 years. This Quebec know-how lets us guide clients in building durable, solid wood structures suited to our climate.
A timber frame takes preparation
Planning early helps avoid last-minute delays and better coordinate each stage of the project. In Quebec, demand for outdoor projects rises sharply in spring. Clients want to enjoy their yard, deck or cottage as soon as the warm weather arrives. Yet the best projects are often those planned several months in advance.
By booking your timber frame project earlier, you gain peace of mind. You have time to confirm the dimensions, style, location, technical constraints, anchoring, finish and schedule. This planning also lets our team prepare the pieces precisely and meet production timelines.
Whether custom or ready to assemble, a timber frame requires careful preparation. Pieces must be drawn, approved, cut, drilled, numbered and prepared for installation. This upstream work makes all the difference once on site.
Solid wood: a durable, timeless material
Solid wood remains a sought-after choice for residential, commercial and architectural projects. It brings warmth, character and a natural presence that few materials can match.
For timber frames, De Bois Blouin favours species known for their stability and performance, including Douglas fir, also called BC Fir. This Canadian wood is valued for its mechanical strength, stability and appearance. It is particularly well suited to exposed structures, long-span beams and projects where wood is a central design element.
Choosing a timber frame also means choosing a durable product built to last for years. When well designed, well prepared and well installed, a solid wood structure becomes a defining feature of the building or outdoor space.
Expertise enhanced by CNC technology
De Bois Blouin combines traditional craftsmanship with modern tools. Acquiring a CNC timber-framing machine, also known as a joinery centre, allows us to prepare solid wood pieces with great precision.
Working from 3D digital plans, this technology automates cutting, drilling and joint preparation. It produces complex details such as mortise-and-tenons or dovetails with millimetre precision. This technology doesn’t replace human expertise — it supports it. Framers can work with pieces prepared more consistently, more precisely and better suited to installation. For the client, that means a better-organized project, more efficient installation and a more reliable result.
A Quebec product, prepared here
Working with De Bois Blouin means choosing a local manufacturer rooted in Quebec. Our products are prepared here, by a team that knows the realities of Quebec job sites, the demands of our climate and the expectations of local clients. A timber frame made in Quebec also gives you direct contact with the team that makes the pieces. You’re not just buying a product. You benefit from guidance, technical advice and expertise built over several generations.
This proximity matters. It lets us adjust projects, ask the right questions and create structures suited to each client’s reality.
Kit or custom timber frame?
Every project has its own needs. A custom timber frame suits more complex projects, unusual dimensions or specific architectural concepts. It offers great flexibility in style, proportions and details.
A timber frame kit, on the other hand, is a practical solution for more standard projects. The pieces are prepared at the factory, numbered and ready to assemble. This option simplifies installation and saves time on site, while keeping the quality of a solid wood product.
In both cases, the goal is the same: a solid, well-prepared structure suited to the project.
The right time to start
The best time to plan a timber frame is before the busy season begins. For an outdoor project scheduled for spring or summer, it’s best to start the process in winter or early spring.
This lead time lets you reserve production, approve the plans and schedule installation at the right time. It also gives more freedom for finish choices, technical adjustments and coordination with the other trades on site.
A well-planned project is easier to manage. It leaves less room for surprises and lets you enjoy the final result more fully.
De Bois Blouin: timber frames built to last
For more than 75 years, De Bois Blouin has been transforming wood with passion and rigour. Our team supports homeowners, contractors, architects and designers in their timber frame, beam, paneling and solid wood product projects.
Our timber frames are designed to meet today’s needs while respecting the material and the know-how passed down from generation to generation.
For a timber frame made in Quebec, a quality Canadian product and personal support, De Bois Blouin helps you move your project forward with confidence.
