Building with oak frame

Boasting character and warmth, oak frame homes are packed with charm and wow factor, and modern techniques enable impressive performance, too

Combine beautiful warm natural colours and textures with impressive structural beams and detailing, and it’s no wonder that oak frame has been a popular construction method for centuries. Traditional halftimbered black and white buildings feel a natural part of our housing landscape here in the UK, long admired for their character and structural integrity, some having survived since mediaeval times.

Today, modern oak homes can be traditional or contemporary in style, often paired with amazing glazed features that frame views and let the timber take centre stage. Advancements in technology allow designers to utilise the beauty, strength and integrity of an oak frame to its full effect, offering open-plan living spaces without the need for internal structural walls.

Above: Build It readers Ian and Lisa Milne self built using oak frame. The 235m2 home took one year to come together

Below: This cross section of an Oakwrights design shows the WrightWall and WrightRoof encapsulation

Traditionally, oak frames are created around a series of rectangles (bays), which make up the base structure (box frame). It’s important to work with a designer who is familiar with the method, or at least bring an oak frame specialist on board early on. A good designer will help you to recognise how to make the most of your structure, the best orientation and the size of the bays and spans. They will also work out the loads, as well as the scale and proportion of the rooms. The design will also be affected by roof pitches.

Many oak frame specialists have inhouse architects and designers who can create bespoke schemes or adapt existing designs to meet your vision. This means that you can get plans and elevations, including detailed drawings for Building Regulations, directly from the company supplying the structural frame of your new home. Some will even take care of the planning process on your behalf.

Traditional vernacular oak frame homes might be cottage-box style with exposed oak on the inside and outside, infilled with wattle and daub. These historic ways of building wouldn’t meet modern energy regulations, but it is still possible to recreate this look by using additional oak for a home’s external cladding. These days, you can cover the exterior of your oak home in any variety of finishes, whether that’s timber cladding, brick, stone or a combination of styles.

Barn-style oak frames are a popular option that combine contemporary design and local vernacular. These buildings tend to have a more open-plan feel, with fully vaulted roofs and large areas of glazing. Some highly modern homes have been built using oak frame, too, incorporating sections of steel alongside the oak to give an industrial twist.

Glass often makes a statement feature on oak homes, with glazed gables and large window spans, sitting beautifully alongside oak. It’s important to work with a specialist team that understands shrinkage in oak and has a proven track record of success. Modern techniques mitigate against shrinkage, as well as accommodating other potential movement as the oak dries out –all of which adds to the method’s charm.

The oak frame of your new home will be cut and formed offsite in the supplier’s workshop/factory. Some oak frame companies use traditional techniques and hand tools. Others favour fast, computer-aided cutting machines.

Oak trees are used soon after being felled, because the moisture levels make it easy to cut and work into the desired shape – hence the term, green oak.

The frame is then assembled in the workshop. Traditionally, wooden pegged mortise and tenon joints are used; the oak beams gradually tighten around these to create a uniquely strong structure.

It will then be carefully dismantled, packed onto a lorry and transported to your site ready to be re-erected. Bear in mind that you’ll need access and space for the crane that will lift the trusses and cross sections into place on your building

plot. It usually takes a few weeks for the specialist team to erect the oak frame.

Once in place, the structure will need to be wrapped to create an insulated and airtight building. Pre-insulated timber stud panels can be fi ed in place and then clad with your choice of e ternal finish. SIPs are a modern alternative to this – while some companies, such as Oakwrights, supply their own brand of prefabricated encapsulation panels.

It’s recommended to use traditional materials, such as lime mortars and plasters, which allow for minor building movement. Hydraulic lime mortars are particularly useful in timber buildings because their e cellent vapour e change properties minimise rot and damp while offering good weather resistance.

Once your oak home is built, you won’t need to do much in terms of upkeep. Oak is naturally resistant to insects and weathering, although the frame can become marked from its natural tannin. These and stains from the building process can be removed by sanding or applying o alic acid once built. ntreated oak will weather to a silver-grey colour outside and remain deep golden inside.

It takes five to 0 years for oak to dry out completely and season, which often results in shrinkage and movement. The process creates the characterful splits and shakes, adding to the building’s charm. You may need to touchup some paintwork once settling is complete.

In a fire, a protective layer of charcoal forms around the outside of a beam, delaying damage to the core. This means oak buildings can actually withstand fire for much longer than many other structures.

CHARLIE MILLS managing director at Oakwrights, shares his e pert insight about building with oak frame:

Q How can self builders choose which style of oak frame is right for them?

A This is guided by the layout of the home and your budget. If cost-saving is a key aim, then an aisle frame is more slimline as it sits in the middle of the house, versus a full post and beam frame that goes the full width and depth of a property. This is the style I chose for my self build home (pictured below).

Q How is an oak frame insulated?

A Throughout the design process we use the same innovative software to design both our oak frames and the insulated closed-panel encapsulation system. Panels are fabricated in our workshops, which reduces time on site while ensuring precision and quality control. These systems achieve high levels of insulation and airtightness, reducing the energy consumption of homes and lowering heating costs.

Q Will the oak move and change once in place?

A This can be a problem if not properly considered and the right system is not used. We use face glazing to ensure this isn’t an issue for windows, as it’s a proven airtight and waterproof system.

During their search for the perfect self build site, Andrew and Linda visited self build exhibitions to gather ideas. They wandered onto the Oakwrights stand, where Andrew met managing director Tim Crump. “It wasn’t just an oak frame Oakwrights were offering, but the encapsulation system, too,” says Andrew. “Tim spoke about Passivhaus, which at that stage I’d never heard of.”

Some months later, with the plot now in the bag, the Burnetts went back to Oakwrights. A visit to the company’s show house helped crystallise their ideas. “After our stay in The Woodhouse we couldn’t have chosen any other type of home – we wanted an oak frame Passivhaus,” says Linda. This stay was key in helping formulate the architectural design, too. “We liked the gable ends and the traditional tiled roof,” says Andrew. “We were drawn to the idea of a brick finish on the ground oor with timber cladding above, as it would tie in well with the houses nearby.”

Oakwrights’ in-house design team worked closely with the Burnetts to formulate

Top: The exterior features a mix of timber and brick nishes ith balconies formed fro oak hi h has eathered beautifully

Above left: The interesting angles created by the exposed oak frame in the living room make it one of Linda and ndre s favourite places to spend time

Above right: The doubleheight ha ay provides immediate o fa tor as you enter the property a plan, and they were impressed by the Passive House Planning Package the company’s Passivhaus consultant used. “The software allows you to model exactly what will happen when you make a window bigger, smaller etc,” says Andrew.

There’s very little the couple would change about the completed house, which is testament to their thorough planning. If it wasn’t for the fact they had already created their forever home, the couple would have had no qualms in tackling another self build. “If we did it again, we’d want to do another project with Oakwrights and Furber Young,” says Andrew. “It was a brilliant experience and we’re delighted with the result.”