

Local business woman, Jacqueline Abusin, who owns the lovely boutique Olivia Grace in
Wetherby, first contacted Oak By Design through their website contact form, expressing her interest in an Oak porch.
Jackie approached Oak By Design to help with the porch as they are local to her home, just a couple of miles away in fact. 
Amanda, who works in the Oak By Design showroom, e-mailed Jackie a diagram of a
porch with the measurements needed on it. Jackie could then fill it in and send it back, which she did, along with a picture of the front of the property. 
Jackie also enquired about a name for a builder to help with the installation and Joanne provided local builder Jack Stout’s details. He has installed quite a few of Oak By Designs porches for their clients.
All the initial information was received by Amanda, which allowed her to give a quotation. Jackie then asked Jack Stout to visit her and go through the measurements and after this the confirmed sizes were given.
After the sizes required were received by Amanda an initial drawing was sent for Jackie & Jack to confirm.
With the measurements given, the footprint for the porch is: 2840mm W x 1250mm D and 3500mm H. The posts to be finished at 140mm x 140mm with the vertical posts fitted with stainless steel pins in the bottom to allow any rain water to free flow so the posts are not sat in the wet.
The final appearance was discussed and Jackie decided on 2 straight intermediate posts on the truss, along with additional curved brackets to the side elevations. Stop chamfers were chosen for the posts to give a slightly softened look. Jackie chose to have the underside of the roof covered in tongue and groove oak paneling. This enables the oak rafters and boards to be appreciated when looking up!
The oak posts were to be planed, sanded and given 2 coats of Osmo's Polyx UV oil, in the 420 shade, which gives a slight golden colour to the oak as well as good weather protection. The full working drawings were all confirmed and the porch went into production in May of 2021. Shortly afterwards delivery to the home was arranged. Once received, Jack set about installing the porch.
After completion, Jackie sent Oak By Design many photo’s of it, looking absolutely fabulous!
Jackie commented the following on the accompanying e-mail:
“Our porch looks amazing. We’re so pleased with it. And we’ve had quite a lot of cars slow done to look at it! Thanks again...it was a pleasure to deal with you.”
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 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