oakbydesign
01423 593 794
Heather Marchant’s stone built detached house, in a pretty village in North Yorkshire, had a lean to roof across the front of it. Positioned just above the ground floor windows, the roof was supported by stone pillars.
Following @oakporches on Instagram, Heather had seen a porch she liked and wanted something similar. It would provide a more enclosed space on the front of her property. As Heather’s door is quite wide, as it also has side lights, she wanted a porch wider than the framework.
Initially, Heather expected the overall porch to be 3400mm wide and 1600mm deep. She wanted the porch walls to be 660mm high and to have 2 curved brackets to the front elevation and 2 curved brackets on each side.
She contacted us by email in December. She sent a photo of the porch she liked and also a photo of the existing front of her property.
Joanne provided a quote for the porch as described, along with a price for oak boards for the underside of the porch roof.
She also sent Heather details of a builder (Jack Stout) who would be able to build the porch walls and install the oak porch and roof as Heather didn’t have a builder lined up.
Heather contacted Jack immediately and arranged for him to visit her and discuss her options. After his visit, and their discussion, he sent a drawing of the proposed new porch. It was slightly smaller than Heather had first anticipated. She decided on just over 3 metres for the width and for 1400mm deep as the back posts of the oak porch would butt up to the existing stone pillars which stood forward of the home.
The actual porch, internally, would therefore, be deeper than the oak elements supplied. This can be seen on the photo’s below.
The porch roof would be taller than the existing lean-to roof, so the oak ridge of the porch would need to be supplied deeper than the actual oak element of the porch.
Heather ordered the porch just before Christmas and paid her deposit.
Joanne sent Heather a scale drawing of the porch with the revised measurements and design for her to approve. Heather approved the design and Jack approved the measurements.
Heather had also decided on just one curved bracket to each side of the porch.
She also added an oak seat top to each side of the porch. She chose to have TAKE A SEAT engraved across the front of one of the seats. This can be seen on the photo above.
Jack booked Heather in for the New Year and when the weather was suitable, he built the porch walls and generally got everything ready for the oak porch to be installed.
Once ready, the oak porch was collected by Jack from the Tockwith workshop and then Jack and his team completed the installation of the porch, and completed the roof.
Tongue and grove oak boards were fit to the underside of the roof, above the oak rafters, creating a fully finished feel to the porch. Together with a fabulous black framed pendant light, and black lanterns to each side of the sidelights and the front door, the porch has provided a beautiful entrance to the home.
The area under the oak seat tops has created the perfect place to store logs for the fire. As well as the other seat, they provide the perfect place to sit and pull wellies on or off, or just a lovely place to sit with a cuppa!
Helen has used her creative skills to decorate the oak porch at Halloween, as can be seen on the photo below.
Helen provided the following Google Review: -
"Having lived with our porch for over 2 years I can honestly say it’s the best addition to our house we ever made.
Not only does it look fantastic the quality is outstanding.
I love that it keeps the mud out of the hall and provides a seating area to remove muddy boots."
Building an oak porch is a significant investment that requires careful consideration and planning. This article will discuss three key factors to consider when embarking on such a project: architectural compatibility, planning permission requirements, and maintenance considerations.
One crucial factor to consider when building an oak porch is its architectural compatibility with your existing home. It is essential to ensure that the design of the porch harmonises with the overall style and aesthetics of your property. This can be achieved by selecting materials, finishes, and detailing that complement the existing architecture. By doing so, you create a cohesive and visually appealing structure that adds value to your home.
Before commencing any construction work on your oak porch, it is vital to research and understand the planning permission requirements in your area. Different regions have varying regulations regarding the size, height, and location of porches. Familiarise yourself with these guidelines to avoid potential legal issues or delays in your project. Engaging with local authorities or seeking professional advice can help you navigate through this process efficiently.
Lastly, it is crucial to consider the maintenance requirements associated with an oak porch. While oak is a durable material known for its longevity, regular maintenance is necessary to preserve its beauty and structural integrity. This may involve periodic cleaning, treatments such as oiling or staining, and occasional repairs if needed. Being aware of these maintenance tasks beforehand allows you to plan accordingly and ensure that your oak porch remains in optimal condition for years to come.
In the realm of timber, green oak and air-dried oak represent two distinct categories with discernible disparities in their properties. This analysis aims to shed light on the dissimilarities between these types of timber, providing an objective evaluation of their characteristics and potential applications.
One fundamental disparity between green oak and air-dried oak lies in their moisture content. Green oak, freshly derived from felled trees, exhibits a notably high moisture content ranging from 60% to 80%. This high water saturation stems from the recent felling process and subsequent lack of adequate seasoning time. In contrast, air-dried oak undergoes a lengthier natural drying process facilitated by exposure to ambient air conditions. Consequently, it attains a significantly lower moisture content as compared to its green counterpart.
The seasoning process plays a pivotal role in transforming freshly cut green oak into more usable timber with diminished water content. As time progresses, the inherent moisture within green oak gradually evaporates through natural processes such as diffusion and evaporation. Conversely, air-dried oak bypasses this seasoning phase altogether due to its extended exposure to external elements during the drying period.
The variance in moisture content between these two types of timber has profound implications for their stability and susceptibility to movement or shrinkage. Due to its higher moisture levels, green oak is inherently less stable than its air-dried counterpart. It is prone to dimensional changes when subjected to varying environmental conditions such as humidity or temperature fluctuations.
In contrast, air-dried oak's lower moisture content renders it considerably more stable and resistant to movement or shrinkage under similar circumstances. This increased stability makes it an ideal choice for various construction applications where durability and structural integrity are paramount.
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
Left us a star review
We worked with Jamie from Oak By Design on a super project near Wetherby. There was plenty of oak in this design for the team to really show their worth - and they did. The attention to detail was excellent. If anything was not quite how the client wanted it, they were straight back to attend to this. The customer care was superb. We look forward to working with Oak By Design on another project soon.
We were delighted with our new porch. Right from our initial contact with Joanne at ObD, through the design and the installation by Jack and his team the service has been excellent. We would have no hesitation in recommending ObD and Jack to anyone thinking of a high quality oak porch. Thank you to all involved.
Fantastic staff with fantastic craftsmanship. Great communication and always on the ball. I would highly recommend oak by design, I don’t think you could get a better quality oak porch anywhere. Extremely pleased with ours , always getting compliments from fellow villagers
We were looking to have a bespoke oak and glass atrium for the front of our new house renovation. We wanted to find a company we trusted, who clearly understood our brief and could manufacture and install a high quality product at a competitive price. A big ask, but OakByDesign ticked all our boxes. Jamie and the team from the initial discovery meeting to completion of the installation were fantastic. The design, material quality and installation were first class and I would highly recommend you to include them within your project plans. Thank you all. Ben and Lindsay.
We can thoroughly recommend Oak by Design. Not only did they provide the best of oak floors and oak staircase to suit our new, contemporary home, but they returned to make good a problem which was not their fault. Going the extra mile separates great companies from ordinary firms. Thank you Jamie & Billy. From Mike & Barbara, York.
Oak by Design have made 2 oak framed rooms for us, sunroom at the front and and "moonroom" (photo) at the back which encompasses a shower room, work area and storage. They have been helpful at every stage and the outcome is simply brilliant. They make the whole house feel roomier and brighter and are beautiful places to be. GE North Yorkshire
We have been impressed from the first contact with Oak By Design, first class customer service and the product speaks for itself. We found it straight forward to install and the support was always there if we needed it. Brilliant, we could not recommend enough and will use them again.
On behalf of Shears PHG Our customer was looking at having an oak porch built for their property in the West Midlands we got in contact with Joanne at Oak by Design and she was really helpful, always friendly on the phone and polite nothing was too much trouble. Joanne kept us up to date through every stage and our customer is really pleased with the results of the Porch it looks great and we wouldn’t hesitate to use them again in the future
Amazing customer service from beginning to end . My builder was in awe at the quality of the oak porch components. Call them and ask for Joanne - what she doesn’t know isn’t worth knowing! It’s not every day you invest in a “proper” porch so do it right. You’ll definitely be delighted!
Really delighted with the new porch by Oak by Design. It adds a super feature to my converted barn. Thanks to Joanne and the team.
First class service and product . Our car port and steps look fantastic and blends in with the existing buildings beautifully. Would definitely recommend them.
Fantastic service and quality of product. I couldn’t be happier with my Oak porch, which was designed to my specification with the minimum of fuss. Joanne was so helpful and nothing was too much trouble. Incredibly well engineered and looks fantastic. Thank you so much.
What can I say, Oak By Design have been the most fantastic company to deal with. Joanne was so helpful, friendly and professional. She really seemed to care about our project, which made such a difference. We had 4 oak RSJ covers made and 2 fireplace mantles. The finish is outstanding. Everyone believes they are solid beams, which was just what we wanted. The care and attention this company will give you is 2nd to none and I would highly recommend them. Pictures will follow when we complete our project, thanks again Oak By Design. x
Ordered an oak mantle beam from Oak by Design and they quickly called to check the finer details. Unfortunatly, the beam was slightly damaged on arrival by the courier company. Oak by Design immediately arranged to have it picked by DHL, transferred back to Yorkshire from Kent, repaired and sent back within 2 days, with no quibbles. The beam is beautiful, as is the high quality customer service by these people. Fully recommend using this company. Anthony Slater, Tonbridge. Tonbridge.
On behalf of John Docherty: Oak By Design were a great company to deal with; helpful, knowledgeable, professional. The quality of the oak supplied to us for our bespoke porch was first class. Nothing was too much trouble for this company, and we will definitely be using this wonderful company again in 2022.
Exceptional service and beautiful flooring. Absolutely delighted with every aspect. Went above and beyond great customer service to meet our needs and timescales.
From the beginning the customer service has been superb, excellent help and advice when choosing the flooring, delivery arriving when promised and a product which is extremely high quality. We have replaced the majority of our flooring downstairs and we are so pleased with the result that we would have paid more. Fantastic.
Great service by a friendly professional team, a pleasure to work with. The end result of our oak glazed leisure spa and outdoor kitchen looks fantastic. Great job
Working with Oak By Design on our project was a pleasure and we were delighted with the results. Joanne was extremely helpful, quick to answer any questions and generally a great person to deal with! The quality and finish of the products - RSJ covers and Oak Windows & Doors were superb and look great. Would highly recommend working with Oak By Design and would not hesitate to use their services again for future projects!
Thank you Jo for your assistance and detailed guide every step of the way with my new porch. Very pleased with the finished product, I would highly recommend Jack and his team for installation
Four years ago we took the decision to completely gut an old farmhouse and start again with it, we started looking for a supplier of oak to refit all of the internal doors, door casings, skirting and flooring. Our carpenter recommended Oak By Design. He wasn't wrong! All of the oak has been completely top notch. As the old house has settled into it's new skin it has moved and cracked in various places, the only thing that has been stable and unwavering is the oak. The customer service has been superb, with them continuing to supply exactly the same items, with the same quality over the course of 4 years. They even indulged our designs for furniture for our "boot room", with Shoe pigeon holes and a bench which we could store wellies under (as pictured). The doors supplied by them are reassuringly heavy and sturdy, with a proper "thunk" as you close them, cutting off sound from the rest of the house. There may be other, cheaper suppliers of oak out there, but none with the same level of quality, longevity and customer service as Oak By Design. If you want to do it right (& once!) use these guys.
From start to finish Oak By Design have been incredible, nothing was too much trouble. Our new Oak doors are beautifully made and have really been the icing on the cake to finish our house renovations off. We have also had a fabulous outdoor oak structure with heating and we are very much looking forward to making the most of it in the months ahead. Thank you to the whole team I would throughly recommend.
I was sourcing an oak RSJ cover (circa 5m length) for my extension and found Oak by Design on the internet. All of the reviews I could were glowing and so I contacted them......And I'm so glad that I did. Joanne Fisher answered my initial call and she looked after my order from beginning to end - in terms of ensuring that I got exactly what I wanted she/they provided a superb service - everything on time - delivery in to the Peak District to suit when I wanted. The quality of the the RSJ cover is fantastic thick solid oak that matches my oak floor - looks amazing. If you want anything oak I can thoroughly recommend Oak By Design.
Oak by design were a fantastic company to deal with. They made us some treads for a bespoke stair case from large pieces of air dried oak. They were very thorough in making sure that they understood exactly what we wanted. They made excellent suggestions for small changes to our own design in order to produce a better finished product and to manage the cost. We were very happy with the treads when they were delivered. They look fantastic and fitted perfectly to the steel frame which was made by a third party. I could not recommend them more highly.
We got a fantastic garden structure from Oak by Design. It is a very handsome building and the design process was very patient, to say the least. We didn’t really know what we wanted, so we had to be guided through it. And we are delighted.
We purchased some engineered oak flooring and oak covers from Oak By Design and couldn't be happier with the finish and quality. They are spot on. Joanne was extremely helpful throughout the whole process and provided plenty of advice when necessary. Thank you
A fabulous service and supportive through the design and delivery process. Highly recommended
When embarking on a large renovation project assembling the right team of skilled work people is vital. It involves the need for skill, imagination and trust. It was important to us to use a local company and Oak by Design seemed to tick the right boxes although we had not dealt with them or indeed heard of them before. We soon came to realise that the combination of Ben, Billy, Jamie, Matt and MIck ( listed strictly in alphabetical order ) was a great success. Skilled: highly, imaginative: an excellent creative talent, trustworthy: 100% but also such great team players that all the other trades on site benefitted from their cooperation and great good humour. I would endorse the other reviewers who have commented on the quality of the materials used, whether in the replacement windows, the light oak internal doors. the fantastic oak staircase, the secret bookcase and the pièce de résistance: the oak conservatory. It has been a great project and much of that I attribute to the work of Oak by Design. A big thank you to you all.
Oak by Design were extremely helpful at all stages of my project from helping and advising me to choose the most appropriate beam through to advice on fixing the beam. They were extremely patient with changes to my beam dimension requirements finally providing a solution to suit my project. They provided photographs on completion of the beam prior to dispatch to ensure that my requirements had been met. I was extremely impressed by the quality and finish of the beam which has become the focal point for my fireplace project. Oak by Design provided customer care of the highest quality and I would highly recommend their services.
A great company to deal with. Professional from start to finish and always there to assist with any queries. Highly recommended.
A first rate service from start to finish. We've used this company in the past for our floor - 40 foot of solid oak! 2 beams and 2 RSJ covers. This time a beam for our new kitchen inglenook and another RSJ cover. More than impressed with the products which more than met our spec. A very friendly and helpful team who I'd recommend to anyone.
Oak by design provided our engineered oak flooring. From our initial meeting and supply of samples to the final delivery we have been provided with excellent service. Carl has been in touch throughout the process and provided updates about the lead time and expected delivery dates. We are delighted with the flooring. Very happy to recommend Oak by design.
From the initial quotation right through to the delivery and after service Joanne has been brilliant and given me an excellent product. I have just ordered another porch for another project from them and I will continue to do so for future projects . Thomas and Bell Building Contractors Ltd
Great personal service to ensure we got what we needed specific to our personal requirements. Quality is outstanding and there was a helping hand there all the way. The porch we ended up with was not cheap but having looked at others the quality of the Oak by design product shines through. Very pleased with the result and the complements from both neighbours and our builders keep coming.
Having lived with our porch for over 2 years I can honestly say it’s the best addition to our house we ever made. Not only does it look fantastic the quality is outstanding. I love that it keeps the mud out of the hall and provides a seating area to remove muddy boots.
Excellent quality workmanship and materials. Very easy and friendly to deal with on the phone. Everything done on time and no problems at all. Will definitely use again next time I need an oak porch or any other oak structures.
We are ‘over the moon’ with our beautiful oak porch made by Oakbydesign .From our initial enquiry to delivery and installation the service and attention to detail has been outstanding! A very big thank you to Joanne who was so helpful and friendly from start to finish which made the whole process such a pleasure. Highly recommend anyone looking for an oak porch to choose Oakbydesign . Yvonne Grant.
As the owner of a local joinery business, Robert Davis Joinery, I have had the pleasure of using Oak by Design on several occasions over the last 8 years. They have produced bespoke interior products for me including Oak doors and timber moldings. The staff in the office and the workshop are always very helpful and friendly and the standard of the workmanship and materials are always of a very high quality.
I firstly used oak by design a couple of years ago for an open oak porch. They were extremely helpful and everything was delivered on time to the highest quality. The porch went together with the oak dowels provided and looked great when it was all slated in. They have also supplied me with a oak beam for a fireplace natural random finish and it looks good.
Posting on behalf of my Mother in Law, Shirley Abbott "Having planned to shop around, Oak By Design was my first stop. I had no need to look any further. Joanne patiently and professionally guiding me through the confusion of choosing the right flooring. The service and support from the staff was exceptional, efficient and helpful. And - my floor looks amazing!"
We decided to get an oak porch to make our home more attractive and we are so glad we did as it really is beautiful ! Joanne and the Team have been professional, friendly and just a pleasure to deal with ! Thank you so much !!
Superb! Fantastic! I can’t recommend enough. If you want gorgeous oak use this company. Oak by design made a porch for us and we couldn’t be more happier with it! It’s beautiful! The quality is first rate. Throughout the build Jo kept us informed as to the process of having the oak cut to size and installed. Jo and the team even sent us a lovely oak chopping board! Jack and his team who built it are fabulous! They go the extra mile. We have decided to use oak by design for a kitchen extension project in the future. Thank you oak by design for giving me a gorgeous porch! Charlie x
Great service from start to finish, Joanne was great help. Designs were spot on and so happy with the porch. 10/10. Fully recommend.
