Jamaica Cottage Shop

Hand-crafted cottages and sheds created by Vermont artisans in the post-and-beam tradition.
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SALE ENDS 9/19/22

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Each of our customers has unique tastes and styles. That is a given with the DIY mindset that so many of our creative clientele share. Because of this, we get tons of requests for uncommon design features. While we offer various siding, roofing, and flooring options for personalization, odd, shaped windows and doors become less frequent in our designs. But that does not mean you can't incorporate odd-shaped windows into your build. We walk you through how to install odd-shaped windows in this DIY custom window installation tutorial.



Some popular and oddball window shapes include:

• Round Windows – these are great if you want a unique and secure way to bring in light. Most round windows come fixed, making them harder to breach. Our hand-crafted roundels may be ordered as is, or encased in an insulated window. They are one-of-a-kind and add a pop of color.

• Octagon Windows – These get placed in the gable ends of some buildings or look great set on either side of a door. This geometric style gives off a fashionable appearance.

• Triangle Windows – Usually, customers build these up near the roofline. Many window manufacturers can build custom windows to match your roof angles.

• Arched Windows – Placing arched windows above a door, or another rectangular window is popular. They would look cute installed along the bearing walls with arch-shaped window shutters too.


A Note About Fully Assembled Buildings

We can install odd-shaped windows with a custom assembled building. We already offer roundels and octagonal windows and may look into selling other shapes in the future. Some of our designs already include roundels, like our Xylia cabin and Writer’s Haven. We charge a small fee per opening for special requests, so be sure to ask our sales team any questions about pricing while you plan out your post and beam building design.


Before you begin, familiarize yourself with this terminology:

Top Plate – A horizontal beam that sits on top of your wall posts.

Nailer – A horizontal board that provides additional structural support and a point where siding gets nailed to. Nailers also function as the bottom support of a window frame.

Stud – Vertical boards used to frame out the sides of your windows and doors.

Corner Blocks – Pieces of lumber with mitered ends that shape out the rough opening for your custom window design. 

Mitered End – The end of a piece of lumber cut at an angle to match the pitch of your roof. Lumber will need mitered ends cut to match the shape of your window. The corner blocks in the image below have mitered ends.

Rough Opening – the width and height of the opening that your window or door will fit in.


Building Odd-Shaped Windows in a Kit

When you are getting a cottage kit and want to install odd-shaped windows, you will need to figure out how to do that on your end. Custom windows do not come with framing and trim. That means you will need to order additional lumber to frame them out. Calculating needed lumber will be your responsibility for getting the correct quantity and lengths.

You can order hemlock and pine boards from our sales team. Additional lumber will not be pre-cut, stickered, or outlined in the cut list or the step-by-step instructions. We ship these in rough lengths (8’, 10’, 12’, etc.). However, with these general guidelines, you will be able to frame out nearly any window shape.


Basic Window Framing Tips

Generally speaking, the first step to framing any window is to create a box with a rough opening that is a ½-inch wider and taller than the overall dimensions of your window. This half-inch provides wiggle room. Then the window fits snugly without needing to be jammed in.


Install Custom-shaped windows above the top plate (in the gable ends), along bearing walls set on nailers, or in dormers. Where ever you choose to place it, make sure that there is enough room for the framing box to be half an inch wider and taller than your window. Utilize mitered corner blocks to fine-tune the shape of your framing to your window.

Here are some general, step-by-step instructions to frame and trim your odd-shaped window.

Step One - Nailers

First, you need to create the bottom base for your window. You will probably want to install a nailer, especially if you want the window to be placed high up in the gable end. The nailer will need to fit snugly between the rafters and have the ends mitered to match the roof pitch. You can also use the top plate as the base, but if the window is going above a door, it might look odd not to have some space between the two elements if there is a lot of space between. If you are installing your window on one of the bearing walls, or below the top plate, you can use the nailers included with your kit.


Step Two - Studs & Headers

For each window, you will also need two studs and a header. Make the header by building another nailer. Create a double-locking header when installing in the gable above the top plate. Create these headers by using two pieces of 2x4 hemlock lumber with mitered ends that match the roof angle. Place one of the 2x4's between the rafters (so the longest point will need to fit between them). The other one needs to be longer since it will be nailed to the inner side of the rafters.


Step Three - Corner Blocks

Octagon windows will require corner blocks, and round windows might benefit from them. Cut a 45-degree angle for the miter. Don’t forget that your rough opening will need to be a half-inch wider and taller than the actual window.


Step Four - Insulated Window Steps

As you are installing your siding, you will need to trim it to match your rough opening. Some people use a router for this step, others use a saw. You can have one person hold the siding from the outside and another person can trace out the shape if you take this route.


If your building is insulated from the outside you will want to add wall sheathing and insulation nailers before you install the siding. Nail these pieces to the exterior wall sheathing. When you add your vapor barrier and insulation you will need to cut out the rough openings in those materials too.


Step Five - Install Your Window

Now you can install the window! Use shims in pairs to center the window in the rough opening on all edges. Insulated windows have flanges, that provide a spot to attach the windows to the nailers you have installed. For insulated buildings, place the window over the vapor barrier, then apply Bituthene over the flange. Bituthene is a waterproofing membrane that seals the window, which will prevent rain and melting snow from leaking inside your building.


Step Six - Finish with Trim

Finally, you will need to install exterior and interior trim. Your trim will create a polished finish to your window installation. We usually trim our windows in pine, 1x3 boards work well. Triangle and octagon-shaped windows need the trim to be mitered to match each angle.


Round and arched windows are a little trickier since you will need to create rounded trim. Some people use small pieces of pine cut into small arches, then piece them together. We find that CDX plywood looks very similar to our pine. You can create a large protractor with string and a pencil to draw the shape of your trim with a pencil. Then, cut it out with a jigsaw.

The interior trim for this roundel was created with two small pieces of plywood. Half circles were cut out, then they were put together to create a circular opening. This trim keeps the roundel in place too.

Conclusion

You have a unique vision for your shed, garage, or cottage. Why not show off your style by installing odd-shaped windows? It’s easier than it looks, and in the end, you will impress all who gaze upon your masterpiece.

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Learn about all of our snazzy roof upgrades to customize the look and functionality of your cottage.
The Roof of your building can really make a statement, and not just aesthetic ones. You can enhance the strength of your structure and add functionally, like shed water and snow away from doors. Combine materials and aesthetics, with structural needs. Then factor in enhanced functionality to create a protective and unique roof perfect for your project.

SURFACE

Jamaica Cottage Shop’s signature roof material is Evergreen 29gauge corrugated metal, but there are TONS of options for a wide variety of styles, looks and colors.

•    Metal and Poly Panels: Corrugated metal roof material comes in 15 different colors to pick from, including the subtly sophisticated Patrician Bronze, the energetic and fun Bright Red, or the new Copper Penny. See the color chart here. 


If you don't plan on insulating your roof, consider adding a few panels of Clear Poly. These clear panels have a corrugated pattern that matches the metal panels, making for relatively easily swap on installation. Place these clear panels strategically to enhance the natural light in just the right spot. 


•    Asphalt and Cedar Shingles: Architectural Asphalt Shingles are a very popular upgrade and generally offer enhanced durability. See swatch sheet here to pick your favorite or match to existing structures on your property, 


Cedar and Shake shingles offer a distinct look and provide a bit of natural insulation. These offer a more stable roof temperature season to season than metal and asphalt roofs. Western Red Cedar shingles are a favorite. Cedar Shakes offer a bit more texture for a rustic and quaint aesthetic.


10x14 Camp Alcove - Exterior
CORRUGATED METAL
Asphalt Shingles or Cedar Shingles make a snazzy roof upgrade, as shown on this Florida Room detached screen house.
ASPHALT SHINGLES
5x10 Chicken Coop with ClearPoly Roof
CLEAR POLY

UNDER THE HOOD

Structural upgrades aren't as easy to show off, but they certainly aren't to be scoffed at. You won't see these upgrades from the outside since they are hidden under your roofing material, but these options provide additional support and protection when added.


These include:

•    Solid Pine Roof Sheathing: This sub-layer of wood right under the roofing material is required when added to insulated or shingled roofs. Adding roof sheathing to an uninsulated metal roof creates a barrier between the building and the roof metal. This can make it more difficult for critters to get in, reduce the effect of the roof metal temperature on the interior on the building, and dampen the sound of falling rain. 


•    Rafter Spacing: Increasing the number of rafters in your building enhances the structural integrity of your roof. This option is often referred to as increasing the load capacity. More rafters mean less space between them. Rafter spacing is often offered in 12", 16" or 24" (measured on center). 24" on-center is the most common. Increase the load capacity by choosing 16". In some cases, even 12" on-center is offered.


•    Rafter Material: The material your rafters are made from can also have an impact on your roof. Hemlock is a hard wood and great for sheds. It's best worked with while it's green. 
If you're planning to insulate your roof, right away consider Kiln Dried Spruce rafters. Help deter mold growth by only insulating lumber that has low moisture content. Kiln-dried lumber will have a lower moisture content than hemlock. If you're not looking to insulate your roof right away, note hemlock can be dried over time. 


•    Insulation: Insulate your building to help regulate the internal temperature. We recommend insulating any structure that's meant to be lived in. Insulated options are also great for storage in hot and cold climates. The "4-Season" option from Jamaica Cottage Shop generally includes vapor barrier, insulation, and interior sheathing. There is a "3-Season" option also. This option efficiently sets the building up to be insulated in the future.  


10x16 Smithaven - Four Season Interior
SHIPLAP PINE INTERIOR SHEATHING
Post and bean 10x16 Smithaven interior with rough sawn hemlock post and beam interior
RAFTERS CAN BE 12", 16" OR 24" ON CENTER

TOP IT OFF

Other fun details can be added to your building for extra pizazz with these stylish cosmetic options.
 

  • WEATHERVANES are quick and easy to install and come in several adorable styles. Our favorites are the shark, the bear, or the moose.
  • A DECORATIVE CUPOLA can transform your shed or cottage into a faux New England-style sugar shack. It sits right on top of your roof, making it very easy to install.
  • If you are getting a metal roof, the PREMIUM TRIM PACKAGE provides metal trim that matches your roof color. Enclosure strips fit under the metal roofing and ridge cap. These foam strips fill in the tiny gaps created from the ribbed pattern in the panels. 
  • COPPER ROLL RIDGE CAP: This luxurious, high-end choice looks great with asphalt or cedar shingles. Normally a shingled roof would get shingled ridge caps. Copper caps come in one piece for easy installation. Copper starts off shiny and will weather over time into a fine patina. 

Weathervanes have been used for centuries to detect the direction of wind.
WEATHERVANES
The copper roll ridge cap is definitely a snazzy roof upgrade for a storage shed like this Church Street.
COPPER ROLL RIDGE CAP
16x20 Vermont Cottage C with Decorative Cupola
DECORATIVE CUPOLA
12x16 Sugar Shack for maple syrup production
PREMIUM TRIM PACKAGE
As you can see, there are countless ways you can upgrade your roof. If you are on a limited budget, consider your needs and what can be done more efficiently now and what additional work will be required to add it on later. If you want to insulate your roof in the future, be sure to get vapor barrier and roof sheathing from the get-go. Options like Decorative Cupolas, and Weathervanes for architectural interest can be added at any time or even added to existing structures. Be sure to consider all your options when deciding on the perfect roof for your project.


DOWNLOAD this printable roofing guide to reference as you plan your cottage, shed, barn or garage. 

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Log cabins evoke feelings of comfort and serenity for many. Whether serving as a main home or a home away from home, these cabins are commonly situated in areas far from cities, usually in settings close to nature, such as forests, lakes, and beaches. Get more of a traditional rustic log cabin to the outside of your cottage or cabin by opting for Adirondack Live-Edge or Log Cabin siding. Often when decorating a cabin, people like to go for the rustic log cabin look, to feel cozy, warm, and inviting.


Vermont Cottage A
This cottage was featured on the television series Tiny Home Nation.

Traditional furnishings and décor usually come in muted earth colors that match the wooden structures. However, modern interior design offers more options for color palettes, textures, and shapes. Here are a few tips on how to design your cabin for this rustic log cabin look. You may find these suggestions helpful to make your cabin an ideal retreat for you and your loved ones.


Use Contrasting Colors And Textures 

A log cabin is predominantly made of hard and structured wooden surfaces with varying darkness and hues in earth colors. These elements create a cozy vibe that you can enhance using details with soft and smooth textures like rugs, carpets, draperies, plush seating furniture, and throw pillows.  


To create a contrast with neutral colors, you can consider using bright hues that would brighten up the room. For instance, you can consider using a carpet in cool tones such as green and blue to contrast with wooden flooring. This contrast allows you to add variety to the visual elements.  


Create A Focal Point 

Having a focal point in a room adds visual interest to your interior design. It can also be considered a unifying element for all other design details in a space. Examples of focal points you can consider are decorative pieces such as wall hangings, art installations, or sculptures.  


Interior of the Vermont Cabin open living space
The focal point in this cabin would be the hanging row boat. This detail adds drama to the open-concept living area.

You can also personalize one corner of the room and use it as a focal point. For instance, you can add framed family pictures or interesting items from your collection. This way, you can add your personal touch to your log cabin while enhancing its visual appeal.  


Maximize Your Lighting 

Having adequate lighting is needed to brighten up the living space, especially if your cabin has heavy wooden materials in dark hues. While the dark colors can add to the cozy feel of the rustic cabin, poor lighting can make the interior look smaller than it is. Also, there are times when you’ll want to have an energized space, such as when entertaining guests or having fun activities with your loved ones.  


Here are some of the ways you can liven up your log cabin interior with sufficient lighting: 


  • • Add wall lights, especially for areas with more furnishings and dĂ©cor. 
  • • Place multiple light sources of varying sizes and brightness.  
  • • Put hanging lights in areas with high ceilings.  
  • • Decorate smaller rooms with tall and slim light fixtures to accentuate the vertical space.  

To brighten up your log cabin further, you can use natural light sources and reflective surfaces. Natural light can open up and energize a space, making it ideal for wooden interiors. You can achieve better lighting by incorporating tall and wide windows in your cabin design. 


Meanwhile, reflective surfaces such as mirrors and glass furnishings can make a small room look bigger and brighter. To add more of it to your interior design, you can consider using glass tables, framed pictures, or decorative jars and vases. These items can open up the space by reflecting natural and artificial light, enhancing the room’s brightness. 


 Open Up The Floor And Visual Space 

A room made with wooden structures can look smaller than its actual size. It's because of the dark, neutral colors and heavy materials that create the illusion of a smaller space. Jamaica Cottage Shop cabins and cottages feature open floor plans to help you make the most out of your space. If you're wanting to sport the log cabin look while creating a spacious feeling interior, you'll need to be strategic when choosing furnishings and dĂ©cor.  


The bottom floor of this Vermont Cottage is being used as a summer camp and as a writing studio.

For instance, you can consider taking a minimalist approach in your design by trimming down your furniture to only the basics and using smaller dĂ©cor items. These will open the floor and visual space and make the room look bigger than its actual dimensions.  


In order to achieve the ideal balance in colors and design to avoid having a monotonous or empty-looking room. To do this, you can use bold-colored dĂ©cor or greenery such as plants and flowers. It's one of the effective ways to have interesting visual elements while having more floor space for ease of movement.  


Conclusion 

Having a well-designed rustic theme in your space can genuinely help you and your loved ones enjoy your surroundings. An ideal ambiance should promote restfulness and relaxation, and it should be filled with things that serve your needs. You can personalize your décor and furnishings in a way that would suit the theme, as well as your requirements and preferences. This way, you can move and feel at ease, embracing all the warm and cozy feelings that decorating a cabin can bring.


Celine Ruffle

Celine Ruffle is an interior designer. Her passion for decorating and giving life and color to the house allows her to pursue a career related to it. Celine loves painting and going to an art museum in her free time.

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Planning the organizational flow before you start putting stuff in your garage is a helpful task that can be done fairly quickly. You can easily draft an interior set up with graph paper and a pencil. Or use your favorite graphic design software to sketch up some props to layout on your floorplan. 

 

We have created a couple quick layouts for garage and workshops with our 24×24 GARAGE as the example. Feel free to apply any of these layouts as inspiration for your current or future garage project. 

 

LAYOUT 1 – GARAGE AND BASIC STORAGE

 

This 24×24 garage has two bays for two vehicles. There is still plenty of room to store other stuff like bikes, kayaks, recycling and your winter tires. Shelving, a tool rack and a GARDEN CLOSET free up floor space and keep everything tidy too. 

 

LAYOUT 2 – GARAGE & WORKSHOP

 

With this set up there is space for one car, and a full sized work bench, along with shelving and racks. There might be room for other stuff, but it might be a tight squeeze if you need room to move around your workspace. If you want room for your bikes still, you will love the next layout….

 

LAYOUT 3 – GARAGE & WORKSHOP WITH BONUS STORAGE

When you add an OVERHANG or ENCLOSURE to your garage, you can create an attached outdoor storage or work space. In this example we moved the bikes and kayaks under the overhang for quick access. Plenty of workbenches create ample space for woodworking projects or car tune ups. And there is still room for one vehicle and storage for tools, recycling, winter tires and shelving. Build out a storage loft above for stashing away building materials or seasonal decorations. 

 

Want to see more layouts?

What would you put in your garage?
Let us know. 

 

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If you have looked at any of our sheds and cottages and tiny houses, or flipped through a set of our DIY building plans, you would have seen that we use post and beam framing techniques in our builds. Why? It's because it is an age-old carpentry technique that has stood the test of time.


A post and beam timber frame being erected on top of a pier foundation.
Our Vermont Cabin utilizes mortise & tenon framing techniques.

Visit Stonehenge to see an example of an ancient structure built with stone posts and beams. Another classic example comes from the Amish, who are famous for raising timber frame barns. With the increasing demand for rustic-style homes, you can now find post and beam framing making a big comeback. Create an interesting interior with an exposed timber frame inside. The posts, beams and angle braces tie into both modern and antique interior decorating. Plus, did we mention how sturdy this framing style is? In our humble opinion, it’s the best!


Anatomy of a Post and Beam Building

Our designs start with conventional building techniques. A floor system contains skids and joists, or a treated sill plate. Rafters, a ridge pole, and collar ties frame the roof. Posts and beams tie into the wall framing.


Posts are the vertical pieces of lumber that support the horizontal beams.


Angle braces provide additional support from the posts to the beams.


Horizontal nailers installed several feet from the floor, and between posts, set up an extra point for fastening siding.


We utilize a few different techniques for building our post and beam structures, depending on the design. So, here we’ll talk about a few of those.


Half-Lap Joints

An example of how our post and beam walls are framed out.

Our storage sheds, mid-sized garages, and small cottages are the simplest of our designs. We build the posts, beams and angle braces with true-dimensional, 4x4 rough sawn hemlock lumber. We cut the ends of the beams in a way that allows two boards to lap over each other. Then the boards are nailed to the posts, along with the angle braces. The half-lap joint sits right on top of the post, for the strongest point of contact. A 4x4 piece of lumber weighs much less than our stockier boards, so one or two strong people can lift these pieces without machinery.


Box Beams

Diagram of a box beam on top of posts and angle braces.

This type of beam is installed on our Simple Garages. Because we build those garages with 6x6 hemlock posts, we need a thicker beam to hold up the massive roof. With a box beam post and beam structure, the post will have a 2-inch by 12-inch tenon notched out at the top. We sandwich this tenon between two 2x12 hemlock boards to create the beam. Next, the two box beams and tenons are secured together with a 2x6 top plate. The result is a box beam that is 6x14 inches in dimension. There is no denying that this hefty beam is fantastic. 


Mortise & Tenon aka Timber Frame

We designed our timber frames so that they are built with true-dimensional 8x8 hemlock lumber. We offer three buildings that utilize this framing technique. These buildings include the Vermont Cabin, Two Bay Garage, and 20x30 and 20x40 Sugar Shacks. Also, we sell Porch, overhang, or enclosure kit add-ons.



With these frames, the posts and angle braces have tenons. To create a tenon, we notch a protrusion out of the lumber. This locks together with a mortise. Mortises are notched-out holes that fit over the tenons. You will find mortises in the posts where the loft floor beams and angle braces connect to them. Wall beams also have mortises. They make contact with the posts, along with the floor joists. We utilize half laps in the beams, and like our smaller frames, these joints sit on top of the post. Finally, we secure everything together with ¾” wooden timber pegs.


Vermont Cabin with a built in porch, custom decorative cupola, and sliding glass doors.

Conclusion

Many shed and cottage companies use panelized or stick-built techniques. In many cases, these styles can be just fine. But there is a reason you don’t hear about historic buildings discovered that use these building styles—they just don't stand the test of time! If you are looking for a robust cabin, post and beam is the way to go. Setting up a house frame where the lumber interlocks together, with the siding added after, ensures a durable structure.


Looking for something roomier than what we offer? Visit our parent company, WHS Homes brands, Timber Peg, and American Post & Beam for more post and beam construction plan styles.  


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Two dog house dormers were built on the roof of this Vermont Cabin.

You have seen them on cute Victorian cottages, traditional colonial homes, and other types of buildings. A dormer is a structure that is built projecting out of the roof of a building. It will usually have wall space for windows and might have a different pitch from the main roof, and/or a roofline that is perpendicular to the main roof. They are eye-catching and can turn a drab building into something quite fabulous. Let us take you through all of the reasons that dormers are so great.


Gain Headspace

Some of our designs, like the Smithaven cottage, have lower wall heights. Other cabins have lofts with just enough room to crouch in some spots. Including a dormer in your design provides extra vertical space. This gives you room to stretch, or at the very least, room to stand in. Tall bookshelves and closets built into a dormer create storage space for clothing, linens, books and other knick-knacks. Here is an example of a finished loft without a dormer, and one with a shed dormer.


Vermont Cabin loft without dormers
Vermont Cabin loft with a shed dormer

Bring in the Sunlight

Lofts usually have shorter walls, meaning the only available space for windows is in the gable end of the building. This usually results in limited natural light coming in. Are you using the loft as a sleeping area? A dormer will provide space for additional windows to remedy a normally darker space.


Add Some Pizazz

A standard, gabled-roof cabin provides a certain charm in its simplicity. But your cabin can get a double-take by adding one or more dormers. With this purpose in mind, the structural form of the dormer differs from the overall roofline, the architectural interest will catch most peoples’ eyes. Depending on the dormer style you add, you can make your building look more traditional or modern too.


Types of Dormers

If you are building a Vermont Cabin we offer two dormer types that work with the building kits when ordered and shipped at the same time.


Doghouse Dormer

  • Gable-Roof Style
  • One window can be installed in each dormer
  • People usually add two or three of these dormers on one or two sides of the cabin.

Shed Dormer

  • Shed-Roof Style
  • This wider dormer style can host several windows
  • Great for creating more usable space in a loft

Doghouse dormer on a Vermont Cabin
Custom Shed Dormer with Windows
Shed dormer on a Vermont Cabin

Other Designs That Utilize Dormers

While we only offer a dormer kit for the Vermont Cabin, we do have a couple designs that feature dormers as part of the overall design. The Smithaven is a micro cottage based off of our Hardware Shed. We lengthened the building and added a shed dormer on one of the bearing walls. Three barn sash windows, with a transom window above, adorn the heightened wall of the dormer. The result is an adorable tiny house with a lot of personality.


Our Dollhouse shed and Xylia cabin both have over-the-door dormers. The door dormers for both of these are visually appealing and functional. Both designs have steeper roof pitches resulting in shorter wall heights. Adding a dormer where the door goes makes it possible for a full-sized adult to walk through the door without bumping their head on the door frame.


  • Smithaven with cottage dormer
    The Smithaven is designed with a shed dormer built into it.
  • Dollhouse with above the door dormer
  • 12x16 Xylia with Artisan-blown Glass Roundel with a colorful swirl
    Xylia with above the door dormer

Conclusion

Those who want a building that includes design features that are functional and beautiful might want to pick out a design with a dormer. Additionally, dormers provide more useable space in a loft, where wall heights are usually on the short side. Last but not least, dormers provide a unique, simple style to your cottage. All in all the benefits of dormers are vast and we think they are pretty nifty.