How do you create a bespoke oak frame home on a budget?
How do you create a bespoke oak frame home on a budget?
Oak frame remains as popular as ever with self-builders due to the character, warmth and aesthetic appeal it brings to a home. Many self-builders see oak framing as a luxury option, but this route isn’t out of reach if you are on a tighter budget. There are several ways you can keep prices down and still achieve the oak frame home of your dreams.
1. Work with an experienced designer
Oak frame is a specialist method of construction and therefore requires expert knowledge. An experienced designer involved from the start will help to avoid issues and make the most of what oak can offer, both in terms of aesthetics and structural capabilities.
They’ll be best to advise on how to keep costs down, giving you solutions to achieve your vision.
2. Keep the design simple
Complexity of design is one of the biggest factors affecting build costs. Essentially, the more corners the higher the price tag.
The architectural style will affect how much oak is used. The higher the volume of oak, the higher the cost. Traditional styles generally require the most amount of oak, exposed both internally and externally. Barn styles tend to have a simple footprint, are usually more open plan with less oak exposed. Post and beam layouts work more on a simple grid system and requires even less oak.
3. Take the hybrid approach
Its easy to get carried away when you see what can be achieved with an oak frame. Characteristics like wide spans, feature trusses and glazed gables look great. There are numerous more cost-effective ways to create the wow factor.
It is worth considering what elements of oak framing to prioritise. Usually, the main focal or gathering points are a key area to show off oak frame features, such as hallways which could feature a vaulted ceiling.
Adopting a hybrid approach, reserving oak for those high impact areas and using a hidden softwood frame in the less important rooms, is a great way to add character to your home and at the same time, save money. The beauty of an oak frame is that by nature of the product, you’re guaranteed a characterful home, even if you build something very basic.
Gareth Edmunds from Welsh Oak Frame gives his top tips on how to get maximum wow at minimum cost:
The beauty of an oak frame is that, by nature of the product, you’re guaranteed a characterful home, regardless of the scale or size. There are several ways you can keep costs down while still achieving the wow factor.
The higher the volume of oak, the higher the cost. Traditional styles generally require the most amount of oak, exposed both internally and externally. Barn styles tend to have a simple footprint and are usually more open plan, with less oak exposed. Post and beam layouts work on a simple grid system and require even less oak.
Complexity of design has a large impact on costs. It’s easy to get carried away when you see what can be achieved with an oak frame, such as wide spans, feature trusses and glazed gables. But there are numerous cost-effective ways to create the wow factor. So, work with a designer experienced in oak frame, who can advise on how to make the most of your budget.
The main focal or gathering points are key areas to show off oak frame features – for instance, a hallway could feature a vaulted ceiling. You could then save money by switching to conventional build methods for the less important rooms.
