Timber Open Barn Garages (Car Barns)

Timber Open Barn Garages (Car Barns)

 Open Front Timber Car Barn Garages: Compliment & add value to your home (Also available in kit format)

 

Double Bay Car Barn Garage with workshop (also available in a kit)

 

Passmores 5-star Car Barn Garage reviews

Passmores range of open barn car garages (or car barns as they are often called) are as visually striking, strong and solid as our other wooden garages and outbuildings, just with one side open. They are an ideal improvement to any property, offering shelter from the weather for vehicles and classic cars, as well as ample storage for bulky items like garden machinery or sports equipment.

 

Whether you order your car barn as a single bay, double bay, triple bay or even 4 car barn structure, with space for a workshop, home office or log store, the end result is the same: a valuable and highly useful addition to your property.

These oak-fronted car barn buildings are high-quality, long lasting and attractive with an open front. They look stylish but come without the usual high price tag of a full oak frame structure. 

 

The Passmores Open barn range offers a choice of prefabricated designs to complement the style of your home, offer spacious car storage, and cater for a wide range of needs. 

 

Download our open car barn garage brochure here to see the different types of barns we sell.

 

 

Our Car Barn Garages are made from sustainable timber

 

At Passmores, we ensure we do everything possible in our supply chain to minimise our impact on the environment. The structures of our open barns feature a stylish oak front and are primarily made from sustainable timber that has been sourced from ethically managed forests in Sweden. So they not only look good, they’re great for the environment.

 

 

How much does a car barn garage cost to build and do you offer barn garage kits?

 

This depends on the type of barn you want with options available for all budgets. We do not buy-in or outsource our buildings. We manufacture all our timber barns at our workshop in Kent to prefabricated designs that have proven popular for over 30 years. This means we can ensure the quality remains very high and we also have full control over the quality of the timber we use.  

 

The advantage of using high quality timber is that it lasts for years and doesn't have the high price tag of an oak car barn or carport. 

 

You can choose your style from our brochure or build your own using our Open Barn & Carriage House price calculator

 

When it comes to construction, our team can either erect it for you at your home (Delivery zones 1-3 only) or you can opt for the more affordable self-assembly, prefabricated barn kit. 

 

Timber barn and garage kits are becoming a popular choice for Passmores customers as many enlist their local trusted builder for the project. Each barn kit is transported as a pack with frames, clearly listed items, components, and easy-to-understand instructions.

 

Trusted timber open barn manufacturer

 

Passmores are your trusted experts in the field of timber outbuildings. We are a family firm that’s been in the business for more than 100 years. We’ve built thousands of car barns, timber garages, carriage houses, garden sheds, sports pavilions and equestrian buildings. We have a high number of happy, satisfied customers, with over 150 5-star reviews and counting.

 

We offer competitive prices, excellent service and the highest quality workmanship from manufacture through to installation. 

Whatever garage you choose, you can be sure that it will blend in beautifully with every environment. We have installed our beautiful wooden garages across the UK, including Kent, Hertfordshire, Sussex, Surrey, Home Counties, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, Northumberland, Yorkshire, Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Oxfordshire, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire, Devon, Somerset, Suffolk, and Wiltshire.

 

2 Bay Timber Barn Garage & Carport

 

Do I need planning permission?

 

We get asked this a lot about our wooden outbuildings and unfortunately, there’s no straightforward answer we can provide.

 

Planning permission depends on a number of factors like the size, height and location of your proposed building.

 

In many cases it won’t be necessary unless your property is listed or within a conservation area. However, if you want to position the building within 2m of a boundary or in front of the principal elevation of your home then planning permission will always be required.

 

We advise you speak to your local planning department about the rules in your specific location or you can find out more at the government’s planning portal www.planningportal.gov.uk. 

 

Our frequently asked questions page contains the answers to a number of other queries about timber open barn garages and barns. If you can’t find your answer here, don’t hesitate to call us on 01634 290033 and we’ll be happy to help.

 

CHOOSE FROM A WIDE RANGE OF TIMBER OPEN BARN GARAGES (CAR BARNS) – ELEGANT STORAGE FOR THE OUTSIDE STYLES AND SIZES

Open Barn Garages

Open Barn Garages

Our Open Barn Garages feature:-

  • Robust construction - Morticed, tenoned and pegged oak frames front and rear
  • 35° pitch trussed rafter roof ready for tiling
  • Choice of 9 standard sizes and 2 cladding options
  • Optional sturdy and attractive barn doors
  • Rear cat slide roof for traditional appearance and extra depth without increasing overall ridge height
  • Ridge height on 4.8m and 5.4m span buildings is under 4.0m so planning permission is not always required

Choose from 19 x 125 planed shiplap or 2 ex. 32 x 150 sawn featheredged weatherboard cladding. Both are machined from joinery grade northern Scandinavian Redwood timber to Passmores pattern with deep rebate and pressure treated for a long life with low maintenance.

The use by Passmores of high quality joinery grade redwood cladding is, we believe, unique in our industry. The benefits are increasingly felt as the building ages with reduced shrinkage and warping, fewer splits, curling and loose knots.

Passmores offer a tiling service within 100 mile radius of our factory in Kent and we will be delighted to quote to supply and fit natural slate, fibre cement slate, interlocking concrete tiles or plain tiles upon request.

Building Regulations approval is usually required for buildings larger than 30m². (5.4m x 5.4m = 29.16m²). An Open Barn exceeds the structural requirements of the Building Regulations and we can prove it by calculation, so we guarantee that you won't suffer from sagging walls or roof when you buy a Passmore building.

An Open Barn clad in dark stained sawn featheredge weatherboard with a plain tile or natural slate roof, frequently provides a solution for garaging in a conservation area or within the grounds of a listed building.

If space on site is limited it is possible to utilise some of the roof by incorporating a 2 post lift - Please see below for details.

Frequently Asked Questions

All our timber open barn garages are built to a precise modular design at our manufacturing centre in Strood, near Rochester, Kent. Each wooden barn garage is carefully hand and machine crafted with precision to ensure your structure has the perfect fit. Our frame construction uses premium quality timber, sourced from sustainable forests.

Once your car barn garage is ready to leave our factory, it will be carefully packaged and transported to your desired location where it will either, be erected by our skilled installation team, or carefully placed in safe spot on your premises, ready for your DIY build. 

All Passmores timber garage buildings require a firm concrete base to sit on, and we will confirm that you have this in place before delivery. Our barn style garages are designed for easy assembly while maintaining structural integrity.

Our experienced installation team has become expert in their field over many years. They work efficiently and understand the most effective methods to erect your timber open barn garage. Typical installation timescales are:

  • 1-2 bay timber garages: 1-2 days installation (6-10 week delivery time)
  • 3-4 bay wooden garages: 2-3 days installation (8-10 week delivery time)
  • 5+ bay barn garages: 3-4 days installation (8-10 week delivery time)

The exact timeframe depends on site conditions, access, the complexity of your chosen design, and the time of year. We will never compromise quality for speed. Our timber garage installations are always completed to the highest standards, ensuring your wooden barn garage is ready for immediate use. 

We take our environmental impact very seriously. That's why we source all timber ethically from the forests of Northern Sweden. The timber for every open barn garage can be traced back to its sourced location with our supplier, Stenvalls Trä AB, who ensure responsible forest management and adhere to the highest biodiversity standards. You can rest assured that your Passmores wooden barn garage is constructed from the finest ethical timber available.

For every tree harvested, two are planted, ensuring timber production remains sustainable and is guaranteed for the future. This commitment to sustainability makes our timber garages an environmentally responsible choice for car storage buildings.

You can read more here.

All our timber open barn garages delivered within mainland UK carry a comprehensive 12-month warranty against faulty materials or workmanship. This covers both the structural timber frame and all installation work performed by our team.

While defects are rare, they can occasionally occur. Most issues will show within the first few months as the building settles onto its foundation, and we will repair any warranty issues promptly. Our commitment to quality ensures your wooden barn garage will provide years of reliable service.

 

Our timber open garages utilise traditional post frame construction techniques combined with modern engineering. Each wooden barn garage features a robust timber frame structure with precision-cut joints and quality fixings. The open sided design provides excellent ventilation while maintaining the classic barn aesthetic that makes these timber garages so popular with our customers across Kent, Surrey, Essex, Hampshire, Yorkshire, Dorset, and throughout the UK.

 

We manufacture a comprehensive range of open barn garage sizes to suit different needs:

  • Single bay garages: 1 car garage designs perfect for compact spaces
  • 2 bay garages: Ideal 2 car garage solutions with workshop space. The 2nd bay can be a joined workshop. 
  • 3 bay garages: Popular 3 car garage configurations with storage. The 3rd bay can also be converted into office space. 
  • 4 bay garages: Large 4 car garage options for multiple vehicles. 
  • 5 bay garages: Maximum 5 car garage capacity for residential or commercial use. We can change configuration to an L-shape if required. 

Our standard sizes include 3mx4.8m, 6m x 4.8m and 9m x 4.8m configurations, but we also offer depths of 5.4m and 6m. Each bay can accommodate different vehicle types, from standard cars to larger vehicles, making our barn style garages extremely versatile.

Yes, we provide professional installation services for our timber open barn garages throughout mainland UK. Our skilled teams regularly install wooden barn garages across Kent, Surrey, Essex, Hampshire, Dorset, Somerset, Devon, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, and beyond. Each installation includes a thorough site survey to ensure your timber frame garage is perfectly positioned and secure.

 

Our timber open barn garages are constructed using 'slow grown' Scandinavian softwood, specifically selected for its strength, durability, and natural resistance to weather. This high-quality timber provides excellent structural integrity for our wooden garage buildings while maintaining the attractive natural grain that makes timber garages so aesthetically pleasing.

The timber is kiln-dried to optimal moisture content before construction, reducing the risk of warping or splitting. All structural timbers are treated for longevity, ensuring your timber frame garage will provide decades of reliable service.

We can customie timber garage doors, roofing materials, and external cladding to match your property. Our wooden barn garages can also incorporate workshop areas, storage bays, and office spaces as required.

Planning requirements for wooden barn garages vary by location and size. Generally, structures under certain dimensions may fall under permitted development rights, but we always recommend checking with your local planning authority. Our team can provide guidance on planning permission requirements for timber garage buildings in your area.

For larger barn garages or installations in conservation areas, planning permission may be required. We can assist with planning applications and provide detailed drawings for your timber frame garage proposal.

Timber open barn garage prices vary depending on size, design, and specification. Our competitive pricing structure includes:

  • 1 bay timber garages: Starting from £5,575.
  • 2 bay garage prices: Starting from £8,355.
  • 3 bay garage costs: Starting form £12,084.
  • 4+ bay garage pricing: Custom quotes available on request for larger building requirements.

All prices include delivery within mainland UK and professional installation by our experienced team. We provide detailed quotations showing exactly what's included with your wooden barn garage, with no hidden costs.

Our quoted prices for timber open barn garages include:

  • Manufacturing: Complete construction at our facility
  • Delivery: Transport to your location across mainland UK
  • Installation: Professional erection by skilled craftsmen
  • Additional Materials: All fixings, brackets, and components

Additional costs may apply for complex access, foundations (if required), or bespoke modifications to your wooden garage design.

Absolutely! Our wooden barn garages provide excellent storage for classic and collector cars. The open design allows good air circulation, reducing condensation and moisture buildup that can damage vintage vehicles. Many classic car enthusiasts choose our timber garages because:

 

Natural ventilation: Prevents humidity problems

Easy access: Wide openings for manoeuvring classic cars

Aesthetic appeal: Traditional barn styling complements period vehicles

Flexible space: Room for multiple vehicles and maintenance equipment

 

The natural timber construction also provides a sympathetic environment for storing valuable classic cars.

Our wooden barn garages are designed to accommodate various vehicle types:

  • Standard cars: Ample space for family vehicles
  • 4x4 vehicles: Higher clearances for larger vehicles 
  • Motorcycles: Dedicated bays for bike storage

They are not suitable for Caravans storage or storage of large agricultural machinery. 

Yes, we can incorporate workshop spaces into our timber open barn garage designs. Popular configurations include:

  • Garage with workshop: Combined vehicle storage and workspace
  • Barn with office: Business use combinations
  • Storage and workshop: Multi-purpose buildings
  • Car storage with machinery space: Small agricultural applications

Passmores timber garage building are versatile and provide excellent solutions for both domestic and commercial customers requiring flexible workspace alongside vehicle storage.

What our customers say

We are very pleased, your erectors did a great job and worked through some miserable weather - A great team effort - The building looks very good.

Mr. S. Northamptonshire

Erection service is very good and would recommend. Passmores have a reputation for quality at a competitive price.

Mr. L. Kent

The men on site were professional and polite and the Garage exceeds our expectations, many thanks.

Mr. R. Lincolnshire

We are very pleased with our Garage and despite the extreme heat your builders and roofers worked very hard and were very efficient. We had excellent service throughout and during our visit to your showground you could see the quality of your products.

Mr. M. Berkshire

Very impressed with the building. Good product and good price, you came highly recommended.

Mrs. P. Lincolnshire