oakbydesign
01423 593 794
Katrina first contacted Oak By Design in December. A friend of Joanne’s, she had followed Oak By Design and Oak Porches on Instagram for some time. She knew that some day she would ‘need’ an oak porch.
After chatting through her thoughts for the porch with Joanne, she contacted her local council. They confirmed that she needed to apply for Planning Permission for a porch installation on her converted barn property.
Katrina, and her family, by admission, is a serial house mover. She has lived all over the country, moving for work etc. Hailing from Yorkshire originally, Katrina has lived in her Buckinghamshire home for 5 and a half years now, (a record). She finally admitted to herself that she was probably going to stay in this property, and would now install an oak porch!
Katrina applied for Porch Planning Permission and received it in due course.
Typical of most barns, hers is characterful but flat faced. Katrina’s father had pointed out that it did in fact need something adding!
Katrina had an architect-designed porch drawing from a few years before when she had initially thought of having a porch. She sent the drawings to Joanne. Between them they tweaked the timber sizes and decided on a final design. Initially, the architect had shown the post sizes to be 240mm x 240mm. Joanne provided a drawing, and sent photo’s of different examples of previous porches supplied. Katrina decided to have the timbers finished slightly smaller at 190mm x 190mm - still a chunky size.
The original design would have had a gap between the full front and full back posts of only 550mm. With large timbers this would have been too narrow a gap.
Joanne provided a quotation, which Katrina accepted. She then set about trying to find a builder who would prepare the ground works. They also needed to install the large lean to oak porch and install its roof for her.
It was like trying to find the proverbial needle in a haystack!
In April she thought she had found one, but his quotation for the installation was astronomical.
The search continued, and eventually she contacted Barry The Builder! Years ago he had worked on the conversion of the barn. He agreed to do the install for her when he became ‘free’.
The porch design is very unique. The porch is a large, 'lean to' style oak porch. It has four oak timbers to the front and horizontal timbers at across the front at approx. 1 metre high.
Barry confirmed when he could arrange the installation. Oak By Design booked the porch manufacturing time into their Production calendar. This ensured the porch would be ready on time.
In November, the porch finally arrived at Katrina’s home.
Barry had already prepared the flagged area in front of the door, and had built the small brick wall to support the timbers.
With the porch installed he boarded above the oak rafters to finish the inside of the porch roof.
Although it had taken nearly a year to arrange, Katrina is absolutely thrilled with the porch.
Katrina has finally found a home that she wants to stay in (for the time being anyway)! And who wouldn't?
In her own words: "I have great neighbours, and am ‘out in the sticks’,"
Being on the doorstep of the Chiltern Hills will also help!
Providing a review on Google after the installation was complete Katrina said
“I received amazing customer service from beginning to end from Oak By Design.
My builder was in awe at the quality of the oak porch components.
It’s not every day you invest in a ‘proper’ porch. So do it right. You’ll definitely be delighted”.
Oak porches have long been admired for their timeless beauty and exceptional durability. These structures, crafted from the finest oak timber, add a touch of elegance to any home while providing practical benefits that stand the test of time.
The craftsmanship involved in constructing an oak porch is truly remarkable. Each piece of timber is carefully selected for its quality and strength, ensuring that only the finest materials are used. The intricate joinery techniques employed by skilled craftsmen result in a seamless and sturdy structure that exudes sophistication.
One cannot help but be captivated by the natural beauty of oak porches. The rich tones and grain patterns of the wood create a warm and inviting atmosphere, making them a welcoming addition to any property. As sunlight filters through the open design, casting enchanting shadows on the floor, one is transported to a tranquil haven where nature seamlessly blends with architectural splendour.
In addition to their aesthetic appeal, oak porches also boast remarkable durability. Oak is known for its resistance to decay and insect damage, making it an ideal choice for outdoor structures that are exposed to the elements. With proper care and maintenance, an oak porch can withstand harsh weather conditions year after year without losing its charm or structural integrity.
In conclusion, oak porches offer both visual delight and functional longevity. Their exquisite craftsmanship combined with their inherent strength make them an investment worth considering for those seeking to enhance their homes with enduring elegance.
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
