The Oakmasters Blog

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.

Our 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.

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.

A rejected planning application turned into an opportunity for the owners of an 80-year-old cottage to make the most of its stunning South Downs location. They opted for an oak framed orangery which has added more than fifty percent to the cottage’s floorplan, while timber bi-fold doors open the generous family living space out into the countryside. Natural oak beams bring these two worlds together, while adding warmth and definition to the remodelled interior.

We know from experience that everyone’s tastes are different. Whether it’s the rustic country charm of a listed building, or the sleek, clean lines of a modern masterpiece, there really is something for everyone when it comes to houses. What’s not always appreciated, however, is that as a building material, oak can suit all of these styles, fitting seamlessly into your dream house whether modern or traditional in appearance. Here are three inspiring examples of oak projects with a contemporary twist.

True to its name, the majestic oak king post truss makes an impressive addition to any room. With the help of our expert designers and craftsmen, the trusses can be built to suit any size, style or layout. We’ve selected six of our favourite examples to give you a taste of how oak king post trusses could add an extra sense of occasion to your home.

London couple add an oak porch and opt to build a dining/garden room oak extension on their townhouse, which would let in plenty of light and make generous use of oak for a warm and natural feel.

We are used to addressing misconceptions about oak here at Oakmasters. One of the myths commonly associated with using oak is that it’s only reserved for extensive country estates. This couldn’t be further from the truth, and some of the projects we are proudest of involve small cottages and modest urban homes, all using oak to create stunning visual spaces. Here are some examples of how using oak can ensure that small is definitely beautiful.