Oak RSJ Covers and oak doors are required in the kitchen renovation project

Warren Priestley contacted us in January, whilst in the initial planning stages of a kitchen renovation.

Living in a small rural village, 15 miles out of York, Warren and his wife have the pleasure of living in a home that backs onto beautiful countryside.

They had a separate kitchen and dining room, side by side, both facing onto the back garden. There was also a single door leading outside, with a window next to it in one room, and another separate window in the other room.

Their idea was to knock the 2 rooms through to each other to create a larger dining, living kitchen. They then wanted to remove both sets of windows, and replace them both with floor to ceiling full height windows.

Where the 2 rooms were to be knocked together, they wanted to cover the RSJ's, which would need to be installed, with oak RSJ covers to add interest and character, whilst covering the fire boarded RSJs.

They also wanted to install an oak cover above their new range cooker, which would sit within the old chimney breast.

Quotations were supplied and then Warren spoke to a number of builders to provide estimates for the work.

During the process, and whilst discussing their options, there was a slight change of plan. They decided to replace the door and window with a 3m long oak framework which would incorporate a pair of French Doors and a sidelight at each side of them.

The other window would then stay as a window.

A revised quotation was supplied, and accepted, and once the internal works were completed, the old door and window were removed. Final measurements were confirmed and then the doors and framework were made.

Warren and his wife, Sarah, called into the Oak By Design showroom to look at the options available for the finish on the oak RSJ Covers.

The couple were having a new kitchen installed. This was to be made up of light grey floor and wall units and an island, with white worktops, and light-coloured walls. A light oak herringbone pattern floor would complete their contemporary look. They wanted the oak on the doors and sidelights, the oak RSJ covers and the beam above the stove to stand out against the kitchen units and tone with the floor.

One of the RSJ's, prior to being covered, is shown on the photo below.

They chose to have the oak RSJ covers, and the mantle beam cover, finished with light shaping to the long edges. This takes the sharpness off the edges and adds a softer finish, creating a more aged look. They also chose to have them wire brushed. Again, this adds texture and character, raising the grain on the oak. The colour chosen for the finishing/protection wax is Fiddes Supreme Wax Protection, in our colour, Traditional. This is a medium oak colour which is neither too dark or too light. This would provide the perfect colour against the rest of the kitchen.

The 2 oak RSJ Covers were made to look like a 250mm x 275mm x 4.4metre-long beam and a 250mm x 210mm x 3.7 metre long beam.

The 2 sided oak cover, to fit in the area above the range cooker, was made to look like a 190mm high beam at 1600mm long. A small return timber of 50mm fits underneath the chimney opening and up against the extractor fan installed in the chimney breast. This is a great way of creating a solid oak beam look, rather than just a fascia.

The ‘before’ photo can be seen below, showing what the beam has covered.

The beam was face fixed to the wall. We supply a flat bit and corresponding size, oak shaped pegs to cover the screw holes. These also add character to the beam cover.

They chose Osmo’s Polyx UV (429) oil for the finish of the external doors and framework. This has a lovely natural finish. Black ironmongery was chosen for the espagnolette handles and 3D adjustable hinges.

Speaking after all the work was completed (just in time for Christmas), Warren said “We couldn’t be happier with it, it’s just completely changed the kitchen”.

Writing a Google Review, he said, “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 and 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!”

To top it all off, a few days after everything was finished, and just in time for the New Year, they became the proud parents of a baby boy. Perfect timing!