Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Custom Timber Homes & Building Education in Maine
Shelter Institute has been dedicated to empowering individuals through hands-on education and innovative building solutions since 1974. Our expertise spans custom timber frame construction, design-build services, and accredited courses that teach sustainable homebuilding techniques. With over 40 years of experience, we combine traditional craftsmanship with modern engineering to create energy-efficient structures tailored to client needs. Our team of seasoned professionals brings generational knowledge to every project, ensuring durability and adaptability in every design.We maintain a strong commitment to quality through our curated selection of woodworking tools and real estate brokerage services, supporting clients from concept to completion. Customer testimonials highlight our ability to transform novices into confident builders, backed by a legacy of over 3,000 homes constructed and 15,000 students trained. This combination of practical education and professional construction services establishes Shelter Institute as a trusted authority in the building industry.
Services
Custom Timber Frames
Design Build Services
Online Building Courses
Woodworking Tools
Real Estate Brokerage
Details
- Year established: 1974
Highlights and features
- We have trained over 15,000 students in timber framing since 1974
- Our team includes certified engineers and third-generation carpenters
- We offer 100% money-back guarantee on all our building courses
- Our timber frames use traditional mortise and tenon joinery techniques
- We provide lifetime support for all course graduates
What people say
Confidence to build
Hands-on experience
Knowledgeable instructors
Phenomenal resource
Real deal
Services
Custom Timber Frames
We design and construct custom timber frame homes using traditional joinery techniques. Our frames combine aesthetic beauty with structural integrity, featuring mortise and tenon joints secured with wooden pegs. Clients receive personalized consultations to create energy-efficient homes that meet their specific needs and site conditions.
Design Build Services
Our integrated design-build approach handles every project phase from concept to completion. Services include site planning, structural engineering, and on-site construction management. We specialize in creating functional, energy-efficient buildings while maintaining open communication with clients throughout the building process.
Building Courses
We offer hands-on courses teaching timber framing and homebuilding techniques. Students learn design principles, material selection, and construction methods through practical projects. Courses cater to all skill levels, from beginners to experienced builders seeking advanced techniques.
Woodworking Tools
Our store provides premium woodworking tools including hand saws, carving knives, and timber framing equipment. We specialize in hard-to-find tools tested through decades of building experience. All tools are selected for durability and performance in professional construction settings.
Real Estate Brokerage
We help clients find suitable land for timber frame construction projects. Our real estate services focus on Midcoast Maine properties with building potential. We provide guidance on zoning regulations, site preparation, and land development considerations for custom home construction.
People
Pat Hennin
Founder
Pat Hennin co-founded Shelter Institute in 1974 and pioneered its hands-on building education approach. With decades of experience in timber framing and sustainable construction, he developed the institute's core curriculum and teaching methods.
Gaius Hennin
Engineer
Gaius Hennin leads engineering efforts at Shelter Institute, combining civil engineering expertise with practical building experience. He developed the company's CAD design systems and continues to teach advanced timber framing techniques to students.
Blueberry Hennin
Instructor
Blueberry Hennin teaches timber framing courses and manages Shelter Institute's retail operations. With a background in journalism and photography, she brings unique communication skills to the team while maintaining hands-on building expertise.
Questions
What building education options do you offer?
We provide in-person and online courses covering timber framing, home design, and construction techniques. Our programs range from week-long workshops to comprehensive certification programs with lifetime support.
Do you sell pre-designed timber frame plans?
Yes, we offer four standard timber frame designs that can be customized or combined. We also create fully custom designs tailored to specific needs and site conditions.
How long has Shelter Institute Institute been operating?
Shelter Institute Institute has been teaching building skills and constructing timber homes since 1974, with three generations of the Hennin family leading operations and instruction.
What makes your timber frames unique?
Our timber frames use traditional mortise and tenon joinery with wooden pegs, combining centuries-old techniques with modern engineering standards for superior durability and aesthetic appeal.
Can I build a timber frame home myself?
Yes, our courses teach all necessary skills for DIY construction. We provide detailed plans, tool recommendations, and ongoing support to help students successfully complete their own timber frame projects.
Videos
Reviews (2)
David Turpen
May 11, 2018
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Watched you folks build PURE LIVING FOR LIFE timber frame structure and can't say enough good about your teaching and work methods. Beautiful work you produce and great knowledge gained.
Dale Keyes
Sep 27, 2017
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I attended the 1982 class and, until now, didn't realize the Institute was still in business. My wife, son (then 12) and daughter (then 4) designed and built a house in Tucson, AZ, in 1984-85. Our home had to be desert-adapted, but it was the wonderful knowledge we gained from our 3-week course that gave us confidence and propelled us into homebuilding. We used almost every technique we learned at the SI to produce success.
