A double-eaved pavilion is one of the most recognizable forms in traditional Chinese architecture. With its two-tier roof creating a graceful silhouette, this style has been used for centuries in imperial gardens, temples, and scenic parks across China. At Zhongyu Woodcraft, we specialise in hand-crafted double-eaved pavilions using authentic mortise-and-tenon joinery, producing structures that last generations and serve as stunning focal points for heritage projects worldwide.
A Double-Eaved is a traditional Chinese timber structure assembled with mortise and tenon joinery, without metal nails, combining cultural heritage with modern durability.
A Double-Eaved Garden is a traditional Chinese timber structure assembled with mortise and tenon joinery, without metal nails, combining cultural heritage with modern durability.
At Zhongyu Woodart, our Double-Eaved Garden is crafted with traditional mortise and tenon joinery, ensuring durability and timeless beauty. Double-Eaved Garden projects across China have been delivered with 48 years of woodworking heritage.
A double-eaved pavilion, known in Chinese as chongyan ting, features two overlapping roof layers separated by a visible bracket zone called dougong. The lower eave extends outward to shelter visitors from rain while the upper eave creates a dramatic upward sweep at the ridge. This design is documented in the Yingzao Fashi (Building Standards), the 11th-century Song dynasty architectural manual, which establishes the proportional rules governing every component.
The double-eaved form is larger and more prestigious than a single-eave pavilion. It was traditionally reserved for important garden structures, temple courtyards, and waterside viewing platforms. Today, this style is experiencing a resurgence alongside heritage tourism growth and traditional architecture revival projects, Europe, and North America. Owners commission these pavilions not just for shade but as cultural statements that anchor garden landscapes with historical authenticity.
Every double-eaved pavilion we build incorporates time-tested principles adapted for modern outdoor conditions.
Authentic Mortise-and-Tenon Joinery. Unlike nailed or bolted alternatives, our structures use traditional interlocking joints throughout the frame. This means no metal fasteners penetrate the main structural members, allowing the wood to expand and contract naturally with humidity changes. Our senior craftsman with 48 years of experience says that a properly jointed pavilion can outlast its nail-fastened counterpart by two to three times.
Multi-Sided Floor Plans. We offer hexagonal, square, and octagonal configurations. A hexagonal pavilion provides balanced sightlines from every angle, making it ideal for garden centres. A square pavilion suits formal courtyard settings and resort entrances. The choice of shape directly affects the dougong bracket complexity and roof curvature.
Weather-Resistant Finishes. Every pavilion receives a penetrating oil or marine-grade varnish suited to local climate conditions. Anti-corrosion wood treatments are applied at the factory before shipping. For tropical or coastal installations, we recommend merbau or teak, which resist moisture and insect damage without requiring annual maintenance.
Pre-Fabricated Assembly. All components are precision-cut and numbered at our facility. A complete hexagonal double-eaved pavilion typically ships in 12 to 18 crates. On-site assembly requires only basic carpentry tools and follows our illustrated guide. Most crews of four can complete installation in 3 to 5 days for a standard 4-metre unit.
| Structure Type | Double-eaved hexagonal or square pavilion, optional octagonal |
| Base Diameter / Side Length | Hexagonal: 3m, 4m, 5m, 6m; Square: 3m x 3m, 4m x 4m, 5m x 5m |
| Total Height | 4.5m (hex 4m), 5.2m (hex 5m), 6.0m (hex 6m); ground to ridge top |
| Lower Eave Projection | 80cm to 120cm depending on diameter chosen |
| Primary Material Options | Merbau, Finnish pine, carbonized pine, teak, or yakka |
| Joinery Method | Fully mortise-and-tenon; steel brackets hidden inside joint cavities for seismic zones |
| Roof Covering | Interlocking ceramic tiles, glazed tiles, or aluminum standing-seam panels (lightweight option) |
| Surface Treatment | Sandblasted, hand-planed, then coated with anti-UV penetrating oil (2 coats) |
| Standard Lead Time | 25 to 35 days from confirmed drawing to factory dispatch |
| Packaging | ISPM-15 fumigated plywood crates with moisture barrier; container-loaded with parts labelled per assembly order |
| Warranty | 5 years structural; 2 years finish; replacement parts shipped free within warranty period |
Above parameters support project-specific modification. Every dimension, wood species, and roof profile is adjustable to match your landscape plan.
The geometry of a Chinese double-eaved pavilion follows rules codified over a millennium ago. According to the Yingzao Fashi, the ratio between column height, beam span, and eave overhang determines both structural stability and visual harmony. Our workshop applies these ratios directly, scaling them to modern metric dimensions while preserving the original proportional logic.
The dougong bracket system is the defining technical achievement of this pavilion style. Each bracket arm transfers roof load from the eave edge back to the column without relying on wall bearing. This cantilever mechanism allows the sweeping roofline to project dramatically beyond the support columns. In our production, each dougong element is hand-cut from selected hardwood blanks. A typical 4-metre hexagonal pavilion contains over 200 individual dougong components, each fitting together without glue at the joint face, relying purely on compression fit.
As recorded in the Tiangong Kaiwu (The Exploitation of the Works ), traditional Chinese carpenters tested joint tightness by dry-fitting every member before final assembly. We follow this same principle: every pavilion undergoes a full dry assembly at the factory before disassembly and crating. This pre-assembly step catches fit issues early and ensures on-site construction proceeds smoothly.
A well-placed double-eaved pavilion transforms ordinary spaces into culturally resonant destinations. Here are the most common project types we support.
Heritage Town Revival Projects. Many historic districts and Europe are investing in streetscape improvement programmes that include traditional pavilion installations at gateways, squares, and riverside promenades. A double-eaved pavilion signals cultural identity and attracts foot traffic. In a recent project, a heritage town commission installed a 5-metre hexagonal double-eaved pavilion at the main plaza entrance, reporting a noticeable increase in visitor time and social media engagement within the first quarter after completion.
Park and Garden Landscapes. Municipal parks and private estate gardens use double-eaved pavilions as rest areas, photography backdrops, and ceremonial gathering spots. The elevated roofline works particularly well near water features, where the reflection doubles the visual impact. A square double-eaved pavilion paired with a stone bridge and koi pond creates a composition that reads immediately as classical Chinese garden aesthetic.
Resort and Hospitality Venues. Boutique hotels and eco-resorts incorporate pavilions as tea houses, event spaces, and poolside shade structures. The covered corridor connecting a pavilion to the main building extends usable outdoor space while maintaining architectural continuity.
Museum and Cultural Exhibition Spaces. Outdoor exhibition grounds use pavilions as shaded display areas for artefacts, sculptures, and seasonal installations. The permanent character of a mortise-and-tenon pavilion complements the historical narrative of any cultural institution.
Material selection is the single most important decision affecting long-term performance. Ordinary pine priced lower upfront will require repainting and partial component replacement within 8 to 12 years in exposed outdoor conditions. Anti-corrosion treated pine extends that service life to 15 to 20 years with proper maintenance. Merbau and teak, used without chemical treatment, routinely exceed 25 years of service because their natural oils resist decay and insect attack.
We recommend merbau as the default choice for most international projects. It offers a rich warm brown tone that ages gracefully to silver-grey if left untreated, or can be maintained in its original colour with annual oil application. For cold-climate installations where wood movement is a concern, Finnish pine provides excellent straight grain and predictable behaviour.
Every project begins with a consultation. Share your site photos, dimensions, and reference images, and our design team will produce a scaled elevation drawing within 5 working days. We accept standard custom orders as well as full OEM and ODM commissions. If you are a landscape architect specifying a pavilion for a client, we provide CAD drawings, material certificates, and assembly documentation in your preferred format.
Non-standard modifications we routinely handle include: altering the number of sides, adjusting column spacing for uneven terrain, integrating built-in seating around the interior perimeter, adding decorative screen panels between columns, and matching roof tile colour to an existing building palette.
Our standard shipping method is containerised sea freight. A 4-metre hexagonal double-eaved pavilion fits into a 20-foot container along with all dougong brackets, roof tiles, and hardware. We provide a step-by-step illustrated assembly manual and can arrange video-call guidance during the first hour of construction at no extra charge. For larger orders or complex site conditions, we deploy a technician to supervise on-site assembly.
Replacement components are always available for 10 years after delivery. If a dougong arm or column cap is damaged during transport or installation, we ship the part express at cost price within 72 hours.
Q: Are you a factory or a middleman?
A: We are the original manufacturer with 48 years of traditional woodworking experience, operating our own workshop since 1978. Factory-direct pricing means no middleman markup.
Q: Can this product be customized?
A: Yes. We offer full customization including size, material and style. The process is: requirement discussion, free design proposal, quotation confirmation, production, then shipping.
Q: What materials are used and how is it preserved?
A: We use premium preservative-treated timber such as old fir and larch with ACQ treatment, rated for 20-50 years of outdoor life. Moisture content is controlled to 8-12% for export.
Call/WhatsApp: +86 13883366528
Zhongyu Woodcraft – 48 Years Traditional Chinese Woodcraft Factory, Nationwide Installation
| Origin | Chongqing, China |
|---|---|
| Brand | Zhongyu Wood Art |
| Material | Solid wood (pine/fir/cedar/teak available) |
| Craftsmanship | Traditional mortise-and-tenon joinery |
| Surface Finish | Weather-resistant outdoor coating |
| Dimensions | Customizable based on site requirements |
| Installation | On-site installation available worldwide |
| Lead Time | 30 days after deposit and approved drawings (varies with size and complexity) |
| MOQ | 1 set |
| Packaging | Standard export packaging |
| Lifespan | 30-50 years with proper maintenance |
| Warranty | 5-year warranty on structural integrity, lifetime maintenance |
| Warranty Note | We respond to written warranty notices within 5 working days |
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