4 reasons why you should consider building with oak

The advantages of oak as a building material

As a hard, open grain wood oak is not only beautiful, it is one of the most dependable and resilient of all natural construction materials. Oak’s unique characteristics combine strength with pliability, environmental sustainability and unrivalled durability.

Whether you’re remodelling an existing building or creating an entire self-build property, here are four reasons to work with oak:

1. The ever-increasing strength of oak

Unlike manmade materials the construction qualities of oak improve with time. As it ages and dries out oak gets stronger. In contrast to many other woods the structural integrity of oak lends it to use in supportive beams and even foundations.

This incredible hardwood has a toughness to adverse conditions to accompany its strength. It won’t buckle in a fire like steel and even withstands contact with water. It has been used in ship building for centuries for its resilience against rot, pests and insects. As a result oak constructions are effortless to maintain.

This incredible hardwood has a toughness to adverse conditions to accompany its strength. It won’t buckle in a fire like steel and even withstands contact with water. It has been used in ship building for centuries for its resilience against rot, pests and insects. As a result oak constructions are effortless to maintain.

2. The flexibility of green oak

The pliability of oak offers creative freedom and architectural precision. Prized by carpenters, green oak is easy to work with and enables perfectly smooth intricate joints that become a detail in themselves in oak structures and features. Unlike many industrial construction materials the structural elements of an oak home tend to be deliberately visible so this perfect detailing becomes an authentic feature. Read more about green and dried oak on our blog.

3. Oak as a sustainable material

Green oak frame construction is highly energy efficient and produces very little waste. Using only sustainably managed sources of oak, as we do at Oakmasters, ensures that oak building does not contribute to deforestation. This is crucial, as while individual species of oak can all be regrown, entire forests are irreplaceable.

Sustainably managed forests plant a new tree for every one that gets chopped down, and chains of custody accreditation from international organisations like FSC and PEFC ensure the authenticity of the timber. To learn more, read our blog post on the sustainability of oak.

4. Endless possibilities in oak design

While oak is often seen as an iconic and traditional material, features such as oak beams, oak frames and oak posts can all be used to add a backbone of structure and warmth to minimalist contemporary interiors. Oak combines beautifully with a range of other materials, both natural and manmade. Whether considering traditional or contemporary aesthetics, oak opens up a limitless supply of design options. See some examples in our blog post detailing three ways oak can be modern.

Running an entire company built on the construction qualities of oak for more than 30 years, we’re evangelical about the qualities of this unique natural material. For further ideas and inspiration, check out our oak framed houses, oak framed extensions and lots more via our online galleries. To talk through your dreams and building plans, give our knowledgeable and friendly team a call on 01444 455455.

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