BUILDING WITH OAK FRAME
We’ve highlighted 10 reasons to consider using this natural material for your self build project
Emily Smith looks at how this structural system could be a great fit for your project
1 Age-old technique updated
Oak has been used to construct buildings in the UK since the middle ages; many villages, such as Lavenham in Suffolk, have half-timbered medieval cottages that have stood the test of time and prove the durability of one of Britain’s best-known native trees. Nowadays, the heritage methods for working with this material are combined with the latest in construction technology. Skilled craftsmen will handcraft the oak frame in specialist workshops, using modern engineering techniques to ensure the accuracy and efficiency needed to meet modern Building Regulations.
2 Design versatility
Picture an oak frame home – chances are you’re imagining a Tudor-style building with wattle and daub infilled walls, low beamed cosy rooms and a traditional look. However, this construction method is capable of so much more and can suit the aesthetic palettes of traditionalists, modernists and everyone else in-between. In fact, oak is regularly used to create strikingly contemporary homes that utilise the natural warmth and character this wood offers alongside highly modern architectural elements. You can clad the frame in various materials, have the oak exposed internally and/or externally, create vaulted ceilings and breathtaking mezzanines – the only real limitation is your imagination.
3 Value for money
Now you’ve got the idea there are any design limitations out of your mind, you’ll also be pleased to learn that oak frame homes aren’t only suitable for those with luxury budgets. A key way to make this construction method work to your budget is by being clever with the design. Focus the oak in spaces that benefit from wow factor, such as the main living zones. You probably don’t need exposed oak in a utility room, for instance, so cutting back in areas such as these will you help to save money. Uncomplicated, rectangular floor plans are another way to rein in spending, as a simple layout will make cost savings. Always speak to an oak specialist to understand how to get the most value for money out of your design.
4 Sustainability
Oak frame boasts great credentials in terms of its low carbon footprint. It’s organic, naturally non-toxic and renewable where the trees are replanted. Ensure the wood is responsibly sourced from environmentally managed forests by looking for PEFC and FSC certifications. By encapsulating the oak frame in a thermally efficient wraparound system, the building itself will have good performance to ensure you get a long-lasting, eco-friendly and low-bills home. Left, below & opposite: A stone finish creates a modern look on this property by Welsh Oak Frame, while inside a vaulted ceiling and exposed oak hint towards a more traditional style
5 Quick build times
The structural frame for your oak home will be crafted offsite, leaving you free to crack on with the groundworks and foundations while the house is starting to take shape in the workshop. The large wooden skeleton will be delivered on the back of a lorry and craned into place to quickly create the outline of your future home, ready for the elements needed to make it weathertight.
6 Natural character
Many homeowners are drawn to the finished ambience that an oak frame offers. The honey tones of the wood instantly inject warmth into interiors, while the material’s natural splits and shakes provide a unique, unregimented appearance that helps to bring the beauty of nature into the home. Green oak is used for this type of construction, which means the trees used have been recently felled to ensure a high moisture content that makes cutting easier than with air or kiln-dried timber. For this reason, the frame will settle and shrink into place in situ, which is where you get the characterful details on the beams and posts. Provided you use an oak specialist, you don’t need to worry about this process affecting the performance of the structure.