Oakmasters' blog is full of useful information on sustainability, self building and oak framing as well as our latest news and case studies. Use the tag system at the bottom of this page to navigate to articles that interest you. We hope you enjoy reading...
Oak barn conversions are often high up on the wish list for many people planning a new home, thanks to beautiful examples of such renovations being shown on countless property TV shows. But how easy is it to carry out such a project, and what are the options and considerations facing you if you decide to go for it?
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This two-storey oak extension has almost doubled the size of the house and has dramatically added more natural light with the garden-facing aspect glazed floor-to-ceiling. Interest and continuity is added with oak frames between the large panes. Throughout the interior of the house, oak beams and frames provide structural form and visual continuity.
Read moreMany people dream of building their own home in a beautiful, rural location, but are unsure where to begin when it comes to making this a reality and getting the project off the ground. There are many routes to go down regarding the materials to use for your build. However, choosing oak for your country property makes for a stunning end result, bursting with warmth, vitality, character and impressive environmental credentials.
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For many of us, a garage is a deal-breaker when it comes to choosing or rejecting a property. A house can have it all: the spacious downstairs, the double bedrooms and the sought-after en-suite, but if it doesn’t have a garage to house the cars or store the equipment needed for various hobbies, a lot of us will simply walk away. Here is a run down of the differences between ready to build and bespoke garages.
Read moreWhen it came to their family home, Mick and his wife Julie wanted to bring handcrafted brilliance to an ambitious extension project. The Georgian country house, which started life as a pub, has doubled in size with a triple-gabled oak framed extension. Packed with unique timber features and full of natural light, it maximises the character of the 300-year-old original structure. Rather than simply adding floor space, this large extension makes a statement in the best possible way.
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As autumn sets in and the days get darker, our thoughts are already beginning to turn to ways to warm up our homes and ourselves as the winter creeps closer. From stunning fireplace beams to bespoke living room extensions, oak can be used in copious ways to create a comfortable and stylish home that’s well equipped for the colder months. Here is our run down of the best ways to enjoy oak this winter.
Read moreOur experience tells us that customers often have a lot of questions when it comes to using oak in their homes and building projects. From first-time oak users nervous about the safety and durability of oak, to those wanting more intricate designs and complex features, people want to know how oak can suit their needs. Here are four commonly asked questions about oak and the answers you can confidently give your customers to encourage them to embrace this incredibly beautiful and versatile building material.
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Rich in architectural history and with a longevity outstripping any other native hardwood, oak beams add a unique kind of structural beauty to a space. Their popularity in both renovations and self-builds has never been higher, yet with open plan living being so important to modern family life, the look of oak beams often has to be sacrificed for the extreme load-bearing qualities of rolled steel joists (RSJs). Oak beam casings solve this by transforming the aesthetic of unsightly beams and lintels.
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