Oak frame additions
Timeless, sustainable and brimming with warmth and character, an oak-frame addition suits many homes and maximises value. We reveal the best options
Add space and value with an oak extension or garden room
Built using age-old techniques and exuding natural charm, an oak-frame extension is a highly desirable way to gain more space in a period home. The material has been used to construct houses in Britain for centuries, and the fact that many examples from the 16th and
17th centuries are still standing is testament to its inherent durability. An oak-frame extension will increase a home’s value more than any other type, and as the wood weathers and seasons over time it will only look better. It will get stronger, too, as the oak dries out and hardens, and the frame gets tighter.
Most oak-frame suppliers work with European or English timber. It’s mostly ‘green’, which means it has recently been felled and retains moisture,
making it easier to work with. It requires no chemical treatments or preservatives. As oak is naturally renewable and carbon neutral, it has strong eco-friendly credentials, but do check for FSC or PEFC certification to ensure it’s from a forest that is responsibly managed.
Extensions can range from single-storey structures – often in the form of orangeries and garden rooms – to substantial double-height additions. Many designs exploit the architectural beauty and strength of a frame that requires little internal structural support to create large open-plan spaces and impressive vaulted ceilings and galleries, often incorporating generous amounts of glazing. The components can be
manufactured off site, delivered ready to assemble and finish, which makes for faster build times than a traditional brick or stone extension.
The downside of oak is that it costs more than a ‘standard’ extension – expect to pay from around £1,500–£2,000 per m2, as opposed to the typical £1,000–£1,200 per m2. Some companies sell kits, which can reduce costs, but most offer a bespoke service, with packages ranging from supply right through to a comprehensive service covering design, planning, groundworks, build and finish.
Planning permission
All extensions are subject to planning rules. It is possible that your project may fall under permitted development rights, meaning as long as you stick to certain rules on size, scale and location, you won’t require planning permission for single-storey additions extending out up to 6m if an attached house, and 8m if a detached house. If your home is listed, you will need listed building consent to carry out any alterations, while properties in designated areas, such as Conservation Areas and National Parks, or in Sites of Special Scientific Interest, are subject to tighter controls.
Your local planning authority is likely to require the addition to be subservient to the main house and sympathetic in its design and materials. You may also need to have certain surveys carried out. See planningportal.co.uk for the rules and, if in doubt, contact your local authority.
Garden buildings
If you don’t feel an extension is the right option for your home and you have a big enough garden, you could look at an outdoor room instead. Unlike extending, a separate structure causes minimal disruption while being built, and reduces the design impact on the house itself. Choose from an annexe, summerhouse, shepherd’s hut, home office, studio or workshop, garage, posh shed or gazebo – there are options to suit all uses, sizes and budgets. These permanent garden structures are hugely desirable and valuable, and work particularly well for rural homes. As with an extension, their appeal lies in the rustic, natural charm of the materials used, and the knowledge that they are built using traditional methods, in styles that have little changed over the centuries.
It is possible to order an oak-frame kit from an online retailer, choosing from a collection of standard designs – some of which are customisable – then construct the building yourself or hire a local tradesman to do it for you. If, however, you want a building that is more individual to you and your home, then use the services of a ‘design to completion’ company, who will design the building to your needs and preferences, and in such a way that complements your house and garden.
Many smaller garden buildings will fall within permitted development rights, but for a larger design you will need planning permission.