oakbydesign
01423 593 794
In May Joanne received a phone call from a couple, Phil and Sarah, who were building a new home in a village near Wigan, Greater Manchester.
The British couple had lived and worked in the United States for a number of years but wanted to build their forever home in the English countryside, to be near their children and grandchildren.
A few years ago they purchased a plot of land, approx.. 1.5 acres, and together with their architect, Tom Smith, at Peter Dickinson Architects designed their future home.
Pete, now retired, became the project manager, over seeing the various tradesmen and subcontractors.
Initially, they were to use another oak company to manufacture and install an oak framed house, but they tabled a massive price increase for their part project.
Their plan was to move forward without them, but keep with Tom and the design but change the building method. Moving from an Oak Frame structure to masonry and steel structure.
Aesthetically the house was to look the same, but with cosmetic oak posts, beams and oak covers. Oak porches to the front and side door would provide great entrances.
At the time of the initial email, the garage was under construction. Initially providing a kitchen, office, store etc. whilst the build progressed.
The house, already at DPC level, expected to be at roof height by the end of May, with first floor joists fitted 21st May onwards!
The new plans consisted of a Kitchen (with utility room off, and access to the garden)/ dining area/ living area, and Master bedroom suite on the lower floor.
When entering through the hall through the front oak porch, a oak staircase leads off to the upstairs bedrooms, study area and bathrooms.
At the back of the house a 2 storey atrium incorporates 3 sets of bi fold doors that lead onto the garden and sitting area outside from the dining area.
Their initial oak needs were:
- Front and Side Oak Porches
- Rear Window Oak Atrium above and around bi fold doors.
- A variety of oak beams and oak beam covers to encapsulate the steel.
- A number of oak cills for around the building.
The schedule was strict and the atrium planned for Mid August.
Phil and Sarah visited Richard at the showroom a week after their initial enquiry, and went through their requirements for the build.
The oak porch in the showroom whet their appetite for their 2 oak porches!
The next day Richard arranged quotations for the many oak component parts required and the quotations accepted.
Many emails, telephone calls, and video meetings followed over the next few weeks.
With the steel work installed, Phil requested a site visit
A productive site visit made by Richard and the Architect with Phil, in July, tied most loose ends up!
The first item delivered to site was the front oak porch, and this was installed whilst Phil and Sarah took a visit back to the States. On their return, the oak porch was the first thing they saw as they approached their new home to be. Thrilled with the progress they sent progress photo's to Oak By Design.
The front oak porch creates a majestic welcome to the home. Made from 190mm oak timbers, the oak porch sits on a solid Staffordshire Blue wall and is 3350mm wide and 1385mm deep and stands at 3700mm high. With a 40° pitch it is a beauty!
The various oak covers went to site, slightly longer than required, where the joiners cut them on site to exactly cover the steel and softwood frame.
A large steel runs above the bi fold doors, supplying the strength required. Centrally, a vertical steel creates a 'king post' on the atrium. The rest of the 'truss' made from softwood and has been covered to created an oak atrium.
Everything delivered, the tradesmen on site completed the installation.
The couple moved into their new house in early November, 6 months after starting! They enjoyed Christmas with their family and even had a Christmas card commissioned of their new home – featuring their fabulous new oak porch!
Sarah provided a review on Houzz to say:
"We worked closely with Oak By Design on our new build house. They provided oak encapsulations for the interior, plus a large oak framed atrium, together with 2 magnificent oak porches for the exterior.
Can not rate this company high enough, not just for the quality of produce but for their excellent customer service from the start to the completion of the project".
Oak porches are becoming increasingly popular in residential and commercial properties due to their numerous benefits. One interesting statistic that highlights the growing demand for oak porches is the significant increase in their sales over the past decade. According to a report by Oak By Design, a leading supplier of oak porch structures, sales have risen by an impressive 75% between 2010 and 2020.
The surge in the popularity of oak porches can be attributed to various factors. Firstly, oak is known for its exceptional durability and strength, making it an ideal material for constructing outdoor structures such as porches. Unlike other types of wood or synthetic materials, oak has natural properties that allow it to withstand harsh weather conditions and resist rotting or decay. This longevity ensures that an oak porch will remain aesthetically pleasing and structurally sound for many years.
Another key advantage of oak porches is their timeless aesthetic appeal. The natural beauty of oak brings a touch of elegance and sophistication to any property, complementing both traditional and contemporary architectural styles. Whether used as a standalone structure or integrated into an existing building, an oak porch adds character and charm to the overall design.
Furthermore, oak porches offer practical benefits such as shelter from inclement weather and additional storage space. They provide a welcoming entrance area where residents or visitors can take off coats or shoes before entering the main building. Additionally, an oak porch can serve as a storage space for gardening tools, bicycles, or other outdoor equipment.
In conclusion, the increasing sales figures indicate the rising popularity of oak porches among property owners. With their durability, timeless appeal, and practical advantages, it is no surprise that more people are choosing these structures to enhance their homes or businesses.
Green oak and air-dried oak are two distinct types of timber with contrasting characteristics. This analysis aims to highlight the disparities between these two materials, focusing on their moisture content, seasoning process, and resulting stability.
Green oak is derived from freshly felled trees and possesses a high moisture content ranging from 60% to 80%. As this timber undergoes a natural seasoning process, its moisture content gradually decreases. In contrast, air-dried oak is cut to size and exposed to the elements for an extended period. The circulation of air aids in reducing the wood's moisture content over time. On average, air-dried oak experiences a drying rate of approximately 25mm per year. The duration of seasoning for air-dried oak varies depending on the thickness of the timber but can range from three to ten years.
Due to its lower moisture content, air-dried oak exhibits greater stability compared to green oak. The reduced water content minimises movement and shrinkage within the material, making it less prone to warping or distortion over time. In contrast, green oak's higher moisture levels render it more susceptible to dimensional changes as it continues its seasoning process.
In summary, green oak and air-dried oak differ significantly in terms of their moisture content and resulting stability. While green oak starts with a high level of moisture that gradually decreases through seasoning, air-dried oak is naturally dried over an extended period outside with adequate air circulation. Ultimately, understanding these distinctions is crucial for selecting suitable timber materials based on specific construction requirements or woodworking projects.
Telephone: 01423 593 794
Locksley Park
Blind Lane
Tockwith
YORK YO26 7QJ
Opening Times:
Mon to Fri - 9.00am to 5.00pm
Bank Holidays - Closed
Christmas 2025- TBC
Oak By Design is the trading name of:
Oak By Design Ltd.
Reg Number: 04384416
VAT Number: 664 8012 33
