

Dennis Johnson felt as though his new oak door with sidelights, on his newly built home was missing something.
The beautifully finished, white rendered house, on a newly built development in Harrogate needed some ‘Wow Factor’. He decided it needed an oak porch.
His builder built two small stone plinths to support the front posts and he then approached Oak By Design to supply the oak porch.
The design that Dennis chose had two curved brackets to the face of the porch and this curved theme continues into the truss above with two curved braces.
The ridge of the roof extends across the top of the oak truss and the roof and overhangs the front of the truss. The two side returns, in turn, stand proud of the roof to the face of the porch. This forms an extended roof and offers some protection from the elements.
Stainless steel rods were inserted into the underside of the posts. When sat on the stone plinths, these elevate the posts slightly from sitting flush to the stone. When it rains, this eliminates the posts sitting in any standing water.
Dennis chose not to have any back posts, so the oak porch is supported by the returns (the oak timbers that run from the top of the front posts back to the house) being fixed into the house wall.
All the oak was finished with 2 coats of Osmo Polyx protective oil in 420 Clear
On completion of the porch, Dennis said: ' ......the porch has now finished off the front of the house and has created a grand entrance. It’s great how it frames the lovely oak door and sidelights.’
Dennis has certainly got the ‘WOW factor’ now!
Oak porches have long been a popular choice for homeowners seeking to enhance the aesthetics and functionality of their properties. With their timeless appeal, these structures seamlessly blend with various architectural styles, making them a versatile option for any home.
One striking feature of oak porches is their durability. The natural strength and resilience of oak wood ensure that these structures can withstand the test of time, enduring harsh weather conditions and everyday wear and tear. This longevity makes oak porches a cost-effective investment as they require minimal maintenance or repair over the years.
Moreover, oak porches offer an inviting entrance to your home. They create a warm and welcoming ambiance while also providing practical benefits such as shelter from inclement weather. Whether it's raining or snowing outside, you can comfortably greet guests or take a moment to enjoy the outdoors without being exposed to the elements.
In addition to their functional advantages, oak porches add visual appeal to your property. Their elegant design and rich color complement both traditional and contemporary architectural styles, adding character and charm to any home exterior. Furthermore, oak ages gracefully, developing a beautiful patina that enhances its natural beauty over time.
To conclude, oak porches are an excellent choice for homeowners looking to elevate their homes' appearance while enjoying practical benefits. With their timeless appeal, durability, and aesthetic value, these structures are sure to make a lasting impression on visitors while providing a functional space for homeowners to enjoy year-round.
Air-dried oak, a type of timber that undergoes a natural drying process, offers notable advantages in construction projects. This article aims to highlight the benefits of using air-dried oak and its superiority over green oak, particularly in terms of stability and reduced risk of movement and shrinkage.
One anecdote vividly illustrates the stability offered by air-dried oak. Imagine constructing two identical wooden benches, one made from green oak and the other from air-dried oak. As time passes, seasonal changes introduce fluctuations in humidity levels. The green oak bench absorbs moisture during humid periods, causing it to swell and potentially warp or crack. In contrast, the air-dried oak bench remains relatively unaffected due to its lower moisture content. This highlights how air-drying reduces the risk of movement and instability associated with green oak.
Research indicates that green oak typically has a moisture content ranging from 60% to 80%, while air-dried oak boasts significantly lower levels due to natural drying processes over several years. On average, air circulation aids in reducing the moisture content by approximately 25mm per year for exterior timbers.
In conclusion, when considering timber options for construction projects, it is crucial to recognise the superiority of air-dried oak over green oak regarding stability and reduced risk of movement or shrinkage. The anecdote presented above serves as a clear metaphor for understanding this distinction visually. Moreover, data points reinforce these observations by highlighting significant differences in moisture content between these two types of timber. By choosing air-dried oak, builders can ensure long-lasting structures that resist warping or cracking caused by environmental fluctuations and maintain their structural integrity for years to come.

Telephone: 01423 593 794
Locksley Park
Blind Lane
Tockwith
YORK YO26 7QJ
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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