oakbydesign
01423 593 794
Harriet has lived in her red bricked, York home for a number of years but wasn't happy with the white UPVC enclosed porch on the front of the house. To access the porch, 2 narrow doors had to be opened which weren't the easiest to use. The porch has been there some time and had a hipped, tiled roof.
She originally thought that she wanted to replace the porch with a pitched roof, oak glazed one.
Contacting Oak By Design in January she gave Joanne all the dimensions of her existing porch, which she knew was the size the porch needed to be, and asked for a quotation.
Joanne provided the quotation and a few weeks later, after following up on the quote, she spoke to Harriet. She wasn't sure that a glazed porch was what she wanted, so asked for a quotation for an open oak porch. She had also seen a porch on Oak By Design's website which she referenced.
Joanne provided a revised quotation and a drawing of the proposed porch. Because the overall height had to be kept to below
3 metres, as there was a landing window directly above, the pitch was quite low. When she saw the low pitch of the roof she realised she couldn't have a pitched roof, as she had envisaged a more pronounced, steeper pitch!
Harriet then called into the showroom to have a look at the oak porch on display and to get an idea of the size etc.
After thinking about it, she decided to keep the existing type roof, and just replace the actual enclosed porch with an open oak hipped roof porch.
She chose to have curved oak brackets on the front of the porch, and one on each side, to give more character..
After a revised quotation Harriet was settled on the porch. She asked Joanne for a recommendation for a builder as "I am having problems getting a builder to commit". Joanne recommended Jack Stout, a builder who has installed a number of Oak By Design's oak porches and buildings over the years.
Harriet contacted him, talked through the project with him and he provided her with a quote. This was for removing the existing porch and walls below the roof, and then building dwarf walls and installing the new oak porch below.
Harriet paid her deposit to Oak By Design in June and booked in Jack for the autumn.
Once Jack had demolished the existing porch, and rebuilt the walls he provided the correct measurements for the new porch.
The overall width is 2780mm and the depth 1225mm.
Harriet wanted the underside of the roof to be boarded in oak, and to have an oak seat on the left hand side of the porch at 400mm deep.
Harriet chose the Osmo Polyx UV oil in Natural (429) for the finish, and chose to have the edges of the timber finished with a stop chamfer.
She also wanted stone copings similar to the ones she had seen on the website on the Case Study of Gemma in Cheshire's porch.
These were ordered.
The porch was delivered to site in early October. Jack wasted no time in installing the porch, fitting the coping-stones and the oak seat, and re boarding the roof, ready for a new lantern.
A new slate tiled floor finishes the oak hipped roof porch off beautifully.
It has certainly transformed the front of Harriet's home.
She said "It looks fabulous. It has received many comments from people saying how great it looks. Thanks for your help and patience throughout the process".
Sometimes it pays to take time and workout what you don't want, rather than thinking that you know what you want! By providing Harriet with the proposed drawing of the porch she thought she wanted, she realised it wasn't just as she envisaged.
Can we help you design your new oak porch?
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 colour 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.
Green oak and air-dried oak are two distinct types of timber commonly used in the construction industry. Understanding their characteristics is essential for any building expert.
Green oak, obtained from freshly felled trees, typically contains a high moisture content ranging from 60% to 80%. As the oak undergoes seasoning, a natural drying process, its moisture content gradually decreases. Seasoning can occur through air drying or kiln drying methods. However, in this discussion, we will focus on air-dried oak.
Air-dried oak is cut to size and left outside to dry naturally over time. During this period, proper air circulation between the timbers aids in reducing the moisture content. On average, air-dried oak dries at a rate of approximately 25mm per year. The duration of seasoning for air-dried oak depends on its thickness and can range from three to ten years.
One notable advantage of air-dried oak over green oak is its lower moisture content. This reduced moisture level makes air-dried oak more stable and less prone to movement and shrinkage compared to green oak. Consequently, using air-dried timber in construction projects minimises the risk of warping or cracking due to changes in humidity levels.
Moreover, because green oak contains higher levels of moisture, it may continue to shrink as it dries out after installation into a structure. This ongoing shrinkage can lead to gaps appearing between joints or connections within the building elements.
In summary, while both green oak and air-dried oak have their applications in construction projects, understanding their characteristics is crucial for selecting an appropriate timber type based on factors such as stability and resistance to movement or shrinkage during use.
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 2024 - TBC
Oak By Design is the trading name of:
Oak By Design Ltd.
Reg Number: 04384416
VAT Number: 664 8012 33
