oakbydesign
01423 593 794
At the beginning of February, James, a partner at Carve Architecture, based in both Newcastle upon Tyne and York, contacted Oak By Design looking for "a specialist company to design and manufacture the structure, and work with a local builder on the construction" of an contemporary glazed oak porch.
Joanne dealt with the initial enquiry, speaking to James to discuss the design and then liaising with Richard about the construction.
The porch that James had designed (see below) had 2 main elements to it. A traditional glazed oak porch, accessed through a slatted non-glazed area, leading through a front door. The roof to cover both areas.
The traditional element, 2390mm wide and 1600mm deep, with an overall height at the front of 2900mm consists of a glazed unit to each side of the building and a glazed unit to each side of the door and frame. A triangular glazed unit sits above the oak door.
The slatted area to the front is 700mm deep.
The jointing of the 2 technically separate areas led to 'some head scratching' but the Oak By Design team like a challenge!
Externally, kiln dried oak fascia's encompass the glazed areas of the contemporary glazed porch to keep the glazed units in position. The non-glazed areas don't have these.
Once Richard and the team knew that a seamless option could work, Joanne provided a quotation, the Planning Permission came through, and an order placed on March 1st with a lead time planned for the end of July.
In mid July, James contacted Oak By Design to say that the clients, Anne and Neil, decided their existing door wouldn't match the oak building and would like to order an oak door and frame.
This changed the lead-time slightly as the clients needed the door delivering with the porch.
The clients chose a letterbox for the door, sited just below the small window in the centre of the door as "they really like their postmen (and women) and don't want them bending down!"
The porch element of the order completed at the start of September and photo's sent to James. The builders, Shaun Brown Builders started building the dwarf walls on 13th September, to a drawing provided by Oak By Design to ensure a neat fit of the porch (see the drawing above).
A few changes to the delivery date but the porch arrived on site on October 18th and installation began straight away.
The client, Anne, emailed Joanne to say, "The glazed oak porch has arrived safely. It looks great. Shaun, the builder, is really impressed, he has never seen anything of such good quality!"
Prior to the glazed oak porch's construction, the joiner contacted Oak By Design to clarify a couple of details before starting the heavy lifting.
Oak By Design recommend that any queries or questions are put to them prior to starting the build to save time and energy!
David, the joiner enjoyed the process of installing it and has already got another porch to install later in the year.
James, the architect, emailed Oak By Design to say
"Oak By Design provided a great service throughout the design process, providing updates and technical assistance. They also provided great support to the builder, answering questions quickly during construction of the enclosed oak porch. The clients are very happy with the porch and I would not hesitate in recommending Oak By Design for any future projects".
Anne recently reviewed Oak By Design on Google, and she said:
"We used Oak By Design to construct our porch, designed by Carve Architecture. We were so pleased with the attention to detail, they sent pictures to show us how it looked in the factory before it was dismantled for transporting.
The staff were also very helpful and frequently spoke to our builder and joiner about the construction. The after sales was also excellent.
We live in a small village and on a main road, we have had people stop and ask about the porch because they like it so much and would like one similar. We have people in the village who have used the same Architect and the same company for their porch.
We are delighted with the result. Thank you to everyone who helped, our porch is the talk of the area"
Designing an oak porch presents an opportunity to create a striking and welcoming entrance to your home. This article will explore three design ideas that can inspire your oak porch project: traditional charm, contemporary elegance, and rustic simplicity.
One popular design approach for oak porches is embracing traditional charm. This style pays homage to the timeless appeal of classic architecture by incorporating elements such as intricate timber detailing, decorative brackets, and pitched roofs. The use of handcrafted joinery techniques further enhances the authenticity and craftsmanship of the porch. By opting for a traditionally inspired design, you can create a warm and inviting entrance that exudes character and nostalgia.
For those seeking a more modern aesthetic, a contemporary oak porch design may be the ideal choice. Clean lines, minimalist finishes, and sleek materials characterise this style. Large glass panels or glazing can be incorporated into the design to maximise natural light while maintaining a seamless connection between indoors and outdoors. The juxtaposition of oak against other materials such as glass or metal creates an interesting visual contrast that adds sophistication to your home's entrance.
If you prefer a more understated look that emphasises natural beauty, consider a rustic-inspired design for your oak porch. Exposed beams, textured finishes, and earthy colour palettes contribute to this style's relaxed yet charming atmosphere. By using reclaimed or weathered oak in your porch construction, you can achieve an authentic rustic appearance that blends seamlessly with its surroundings. This design idea is perfect for homeowners who appreciate simplicity and want their porch to blend harmoniously with nature.
In the realm of building construction and design, the implementation of effective insulation systems plays a pivotal role in ensuring optimal thermal performance. One such prominent solution is double glazing, which has gained significant attention due to its ability to augment energy efficiency within enclosed spaces. This article aims to explore the fundamental characteristics and benefits of double glazing as a means of retaining heat while preventing cold air infiltration.
Double glazing, also known as a double glazed unit (DGU), comprises two glass sheets that are separated by a spacer bar. The resulting air gap between these panes acts as an insulating barrier, enhancing the window's thermal resistance properties. By effectively trapping air or employing insulating gas fills, this innovative system creates a protective shield against external temperature fluctuations.
The concept of double glazing can be likened to a delectable sandwich - two layers of bread encasing an enticing filling. In this analogy, the glass sheets represent the sturdy bread slices that protect and encapsulate the room's interior from external influences. Meanwhile, the air gap serves as the tantalising filling that ensures utmost comfort by preventing heat loss and cold intrusion.
As discerning building experts, it is crucial to acknowledge the significance of incorporating efficient insulation solutions like double glazing into our designs. Through their exceptional thermal insulation capabilities, these units facilitate energy conservation by minimising heat transfer across windows. By utilising metaphors such as sandwiches with delightful fillings, we can evoke emotional responses in our audience while maintaining an objective academic writing style throughout our discourse on this essential subject matter.
Green oak and air-dried oak are two distinct types of timber that differ in their characteristics. Understanding these differences is crucial for anyone involved in the construction or woodworking industry.
When comparing green oak to air-dried oak, one can draw an analogy with the concept of ageing wine. Just as wine needs time to mature and develop its unique flavours, green oak requires a seasoning process to achieve optimal quality.
During the seasoning process, green oak gradually loses moisture content through natural drying methods. This reduction in moisture not only improves the stability of the wood but also prevents excessive movement and shrinkage over time. It is comparable to how ageing wine develops complexity while maintaining stability.
On the other hand, air-dried oak undergoes a different drying method. Once cut into sizeable timber pieces, it is left outside to dry naturally over an extended period. The exposure to open air allows for gradual moisture loss through evaporation, resulting in lower moisture content compared to green oak.
The metaphorical comparison between green oak and ageing wine helps illustrate how both processes require patience and time for desirable outcomes. Just as aged wine showcases its refined qualities after years of maturing, air-dried oak represents a stable and reliable material due to its prolonged seasoning period.
In summary, understanding the distinction between green oak and air-dried oak is essential when choosing timber for construction purposes. Whether opting for freshly felled or naturally dried wood, each has its advantages based on specific project requirements and desired characteristics.
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
