Oak Atrium is on the Shopping List!

In May 2019 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 in the United States for a number of years but wanted to build their forever home in the English countryside.

In May 2018 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 the main oak atrium would be made with cosmetic oak posts, beams and oak covers.

At the time of the initial email, the garage was under construction. Initially providing a kitchen, office, store etc. whilst the build progressed (see aerial photo below).

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 front porch, a staircase leads off to the upstairs bedrooms and study area and bathrooms.

At the back of the house a 2 storey oak 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 porches

- Rear window oak atrium above and around bi fold doors.

- A variety of beams and beam covers to encapsulate the steel.

- A number of cills for around the building.

The schedule was strict and the oak 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.

Richard arranged quotations for the many oak component parts required for the oak atrium and the quotations accepted.

Many emails, telephone calls, and video meetings followed.

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 porch, and this was installed whilst Phil and Sarah took a visit back to the States. On their return, the 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 porch creates a majestic welcome to the home. Made from 190mm oak timbers, the 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 for the oak atrium 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 oak atrium. The rest of the 'truss' made from softwood and has been covered to create 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 commissioned of their new home – featuring their fabulous new oak porch!

Sarah provided a review on Houzz (https://www.houzz.co.uk/pro/oakbydesign/oak-by-design) 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".

Phil and Sarah visited Richard at the showroom a week after their initial enquiry, and went through their requirements for the build.

Richard arranged quotations for the many oak component parts required for the oak atrium and the quotations accepted.

Many emails, telephone calls, and video meetings followed.

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 porch, and this was installed whilst Phil and Sarah took a visit back to the States. On their return, the 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 porch creates a majestic welcome to the home. Made from 190mm oak timbers, the 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 for the oak atrium 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 oak atrium. The rest of the 'truss' made from softwood and has been covered to create 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".