We can design to most budgets, our Oak frames are often cheaper than a steel and concrete alternative, they just look much more expensive.
Great Coxwell Barn is over 800 years old, Notre Dame is over 1000 years and Greensted Church in Essex is 1200 years old. Proper Oak framing is the best chance most of us will ever have to make something that will speak of our values and tastes for a millennium after we are dead.
Many extensions can be done under permitted development rights, this is the first thing to check. If PDR is not possible then you will need permission. Check this with an independent planning consultant first.
Your friends will be envious and your neighbours will assume you have won the lottery. Also, spiders really like Oak frames, but they will kill flies and if you cannot share your home with a few spiders you might want to reflect on your priorities for a bit.
So long as you have planning permission or a certificate of lawfulness as well as building regulations approval an Oak frame will make no difference to your mortgage, just like every other type of construction.
It can be a bit cheaper than many standard construction types, or much more expensive depending on the specification. But when you divide build cost by building lifespan, Oak is the cheapest build possible.
This is normally decided by ground conditions, brick is heavier than Oak so it needs bigger foundations on soft ground.
Longevity is the most important factor in choosing just about everything we buy and Oak last longer than softwoods, full stop.
Living with Oak is like a good marriage, if you work with the nature of your partner, playing to their strengths it can be wonderful. Try to force it to do something it doesn’t want to do and everything breaks down. Yes, it can move, plan for it and learn to love it, it’s not that big a deal.
Most black marks are iron stains, the acid in the Oak reacting with iron/steel when wet Oka comes into contact.
A simple wash with Oxalic acid will remove them in moments.
Tannins wash out of the outer 2-3mm, this usually takes about 3-4 months, depending on the amount of rain.
Timberpride only buys Oak logs when we have been able to inspect the woodland to satisfy ourselves that a proper management plan is being carried out (Alec came into this business from forestry, management of British woodland, so he knows what he’s looking at).
100% British Oak, we will be able to tell you exactly where your Oak frame grew.
All we will leave behind is a bit of sawdust and happy memories.
