Berringfield Hall

Berringfield Hall*, a grand oak framed period style home was restored by its owners in 2002. Designs for the interior sought to bring attention to the original oak frame, erected in the early to mid 1900’s and Oakmasters was involved heavily in the organisation and implementation of both the cosmetic and structural aspects of the project.

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The owners intended to install a series of magnificent, decorative oak beam layouts on the ground floor. Design elements to achieve the correct balance for the property were extremely important, as the original rooms, although spacious, were plain and rather indistinct. The oakwork, while generating a charismatic atmosphere would need to blend seamlessly with the original timber structure.

Oakmasters produced bespoke beams and joists in numbered kit form, in order that contractors on site could install them with ease. By far the most striking embellishments to Berringfield Hall were the impressive ceiling beams, complete with hand-crafted chamfers. These were installed into the lounge, dining area and kitchen, displaying the unique charm of domestic rural tradition to its full potential in the warm tones and textures of the oakwork. The resulting impression was one of quality and opulence. Oak posts were installed, providing both visual charm and structural support for the main beams, weighing over a tonne each. Chunky decorative corbels were installed under the main beam-ends as an ornamental detail.

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Tudor cladding played an important cosmetic role in several of the upstairs bedrooms, as an enhancement to the familiar, structural facade –a quintessential facet of the oak framed house. In this case Kiln dried wood was used rather than fumed, semi seasoned oak, to minimise any movement over time. The cladding was mounted onto the walls using cement backing and the sections were secured with screws and plugs. The final result added character and depth to the otherwise plain upstairs bedrooms. Oakmasters replicated the solid oak beams incorporated in the exterior walls of the hall without necessitating major alterations or interfering with the actual structure of the building.

In a similar manner, attractive beam casings, hiding unsightly pipe work were secured across the ceiling of the master bedroom as if to bolster the rafters above. In order for them to remain in keeping with existing Oakwork, the beam casings were produced from select, character English Oak and finished with the customary ageing processes.

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A large, chunky main beam running across the length of the dining room ceiling, through to the hall was a n essential component of the overall ‘oak framed effect.’ The beam was fashioned in several sections, all expertly joined to give the impression of one long structural girder.

As a particularly prominent finishing touch to the designs oak brackets were installed into the swimming pool area, to achieve a fuller effect. As this was located on the ground floor, hand crafted post like structures gave the illusion of large trusses running up through the ceiling supporting the unseen roof above. * This name is used to protect the anonimity of the owners and property location.

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