Oak timber frame questions

We do cover the whole of the UK but our design and build workshop is based in Somerset. We do use regional architects who are able to provide designs based on your location and are aware of local planning regulations.

Oak framing is a beautiful and timeless way to build a home because it provides several advantages over other types of framing. There are many benefits to choosing oak framing for your new home. Here are just some of them:

• Durability – Oak is a hardwood which makes it highly resistant to decay. It’s naturally rot resistant, meaning it won’t rot away over time.
• Long life span – With proper maintenance, oak can last for hundreds of years.
• Energy efficiency – Oak framing is incredibly energy efficient. It keeps heat inside the home during cold winters and cool air outside during hot summers.
• Sustainable – Oak is a natural product, making it a sustainable building material.

Learn more about the benefits of building an Oak Frame Home

Oak is a hardwood that is very durable and resistant to decay. It is also naturally rot resistant, ideal for keeping out rain, wind and snow! Because of this, oak is an ideal choice for construction because it lasts longer than other types of building materials.

As one of the most common types of trees, oak can often be harvested without farming forests. As such, green oak framing is extremely energy efficient and produces minimal waste. It is also a renewable resource, making it a great option for those who care about sustainability. Where as, other types of building can decay or need constant upkeep, oak is resistant to rot.

All the oak we use is either English or European. The oak is sourced from single species managed forests allowing the trees to reach for sunlight ensuring very long straight trunks compared to those grown in a mixed deciduous woodland.

Every house is different, therefore we can’t provide a one-size-fits all for each project we receive. Please feel free to provide us with your plans, and we will be more than happy to provide you with a quote.

An oak frame building will last for centuries if well maintained. The wood used in the construction of the frames is usually sourced from old growth trees, so they should last for generations. However, the roofing, cladding and siding may need replacing sooner depending on how exposed the building is to weather conditions.

The time taken to build an oak framed structure depends on many factors, including the size of the property, the type of work required, and the location of the site. We recommend speaking to our team at Premier Oak Buildings before starting any work to ensure you get a fair price and estimate.

Just like any kind of building, you will need to have planning permission from your local authority such as your town or city council. Approval of the construction will depend on the design of your plan and its impact on the local area.

However, smaller buildings, such as oak garages and similar buildings, may not require planning permission. Contact your local authorities for more information.

Yes, oak framing is perfect for installing insulation. This helps reduce heating bills by retaining warmth inside the home during winter months.

The main benefit is that oak cladding is a much more durable timber than softwood. Oak will need no further maintenance required for between 25 and 100 years. Oak has a service life in excess of 2-3 times longer than treated softwood.

Yes all green oak frames shrink as they dry out over time which is called the seasoning process. This can take many years, but the most obvious shrinkage will occur in the first few years. Being as this is a naturally occurring process your frame will develop cracks which are called ‘shakes’ as it twists and settles. The joints and pegs used in the build of your frame will minimise this movement and overtime will become stronger as a result.

If you are looking for something that is not shown here on our website, please speak with us. We can take an idea or rough drawing from you and help you to create the design that you are after.

All of our frames are cleaned by oxalic acid so no further cleaning is required. If you chose to use a different cleaning method such as blasting of sanding we would advise that this is carried out by a specialist company due to health and safety reasons.

It is not recommended that you treat the exterior face of your oak frame. As the frame seasons and becomes silver the stains will even out as it adapts to the local conditions and seasonal fluctuations. However, it is your choice to uses oils or waxes, but we do advise that the frame needs to breathe and surface treatments can restrict the release of moisture to some degree. As the frame dries out and hardens this will also protect it from pests and rot and giving it strength and character.

Black marks on the frame are due to the oak being in contact with iron or steel during the milling/machining/framing up and erecting process. With all heavy oak framing some marks are inevitable due to the machining and handling of the timbers. The marks can be removed as explained in the ‘How do you clean an oak frame?’ section above

The leaching of tannin from an oak frame is a natural process and stops as the oak dries out over time. Stains will be washed away by natural weathering.

Not at all. When shakes appear in the grain of the oak it is a sign of the natural drying process and will not cause any structural issues. We check for and defects in the oak during the grading/machining and framing stage of your build and any not to standard are rejected.

Being detached means that you are free to choose what you want for the independent structure without being influenced by materials or finishes of an existing building. Also, there is less disruption to your lifestyle by building a free-standing structure as opposed to attaching to an existing building.

Information can be found here https://www.planningportal.co.uk/info/200130/common_projects/43/outbuildings/2

But for a non-habitable outbuilding no building regulations are necessary.

As long as they are on the plans which are submitted then yes. As a new build this will be zero rated

This does depend on the size of garage you wish to add. General rules apply;

• The garage is behind the front elevation of the house
• The garage is under 4m to the ridge (top of the building),
• The garage is no more than half the area of land around the “original house” so would be covered by additions or other buildings
• The garage is no further than 2m from a boundary (any closer, limits the size of the building again).

As you have seen on the site, we do have stock designs for single storey and room over garages but can accommodate different bay sizes to adapt for any range of vehicles you may need to house. We do offer a design service where you can outline your plans and needs, and we can create the oak frame garage as per your specifications and plot requirements.

We do ask that a skip is provided for any building rubbish. However, if a skip is not available we will leave all waster/surplus materials neatly for the client to use/dispose of as they prefer.