Reasons to build with oak
Find out how this natural and eco-friendly structural system could be the best fit for your self build or extension project with our guide to the key benefits of oak
Oak frame is popular thanks to its characterful style and ability to merge traditional techniques with the latest in modern construction – find out more with our guide
Oak frame is a popular option for self builders hoping to turn their home’s structure into a focal point. The warm tones and natural splits and shakes of the exposed posts and beams can inject character and charm into any house, but the look of the wood isn’t this building method’s only appeal. Here’s why you should consider oak for your project.
A heritage 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 techniques to ensure the accuracy and efficiency needed to meet modern Building Regulations.
Enjoy real design freedom
Picture an oak frame home and you might conjure images of a Tudor-style building with wattle and daub infilled walls externally, and cosy low-beamed rooms inside. However, as you can see in this article, oak is capable of so much more and can happily suit the aesthetic palettes of traditionalists, modernists and everyone else in-between.
This system is regularly used to create striking homes that combine natural warmth and character with highly contemporary 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 You’ll get 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 help you 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 project.
“Think about how much oak you want to see, as well as specific architectural features,” suggests Ed Brechtmann, senior project development manager at Border Oak. “A good designer will be able to omit framing where it isn’t needed, and can help celebrate the oak in the best locations, rather than it over-dominating.”
4 Sustainability as standard
Oak frame boasts excellent low-carbon credentials. 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
Opposite page: Exposed internal oak details create a characterful design feature in this project by Oakwrights. Above left: This countryside home by Border Oak features exposed timbers as part of the external finish. Below: Oak is a fantastic choice for extensions.
This orangery in Cheshire – complete with roof lantern and French doors – is by Welsh Oak Frame
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.
5 Prefab: quick to construct on site
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 within a couple of weeks to create the outline of your future home, ready for the elements needed to make it weathertight.
6 Built-in character
The honeyed tones of oak 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. Recentlyfelled green oak is used for this type of construction. This means the wood has 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, creating the characterful details on the beams and posts.
It’s a good idea to complement your oak frame with similar high-quality, natural products . “For instance, using local, vernacular facing materials will ensure your building sits comfortably within its context,” says Ed. “This could help you to secure planning approval.”
7 Wow factor glazing
An oak frame is the ideal partner for large spans of feature glass, as the natural material sets off views perfectly and is strong enough to carry the load of heavy windows. Glazed gables work well in the vaulted ceilings that are often created with this construction method – consider this on an upper storey with a set of glazed doors below to create a fully glazed elevation. Rooflights look great between beams in the ceiling and big picture windows will enhance a modern look. Most suppliers can offer specialist solutions for good energy performance with direct glazing.
8 Low maintenance finish
I’ve already harped on about the benefits of oak’s natural properties, but this really comes into its own when it comes to the level of future upkeep from homeowners, because it doesn’t require much! It can be cleaned once erected to get rid of any marks from the build process. Afterwards, externally, you can leave the wood to weather to a silvery grey or choose to treat it to keep the honey hue. Inside, the oxidisation process will actually turn the wood a stronger colour over time. It’s also very fire safe, as flames will only char the timbers – they won’t burn right through or buckle.
9 You can team it with other materials
If you’re going with an oak frame self build, you don’t actually need to use it for the entirety of the house.
Using another, possibly cheaper construction method in some parts of the home could help to make your project more affordable. Structural insulated panels (SIPS) are often paired with oak to give the structure a thermally efficient shell. There are other opportunities for collaboration, too – introducing details such as steel posts and tie rods, for instance, will give an industrial and contemporary edge to the new building.
10 It can enable open-plan layouts
It’s becoming more popular for us to ditch having multiple smaller rooms in favour of bigger kitchen-dining-living areas. Properly zoning individual spaces within an openplan layout is important, therefore. “You can use the oak frame to help define spaces with different uses,” says Ed.
To achieve this, your designer will need to carefully consider positioning of the structural posts and their impact on living areas from the outset, rather than trying to fit your interiors around the frame – another great reason to work with a specialist who knows oak inside and out.