Building an oak frame house (or extension) is an opportunity to live in a sustainable home, bespoke to you, surrounded by golden rich timbers infused with stunning looks, warmth and comfort – and an abundance of character. But what are the reasons to build in oak?

Traditionally crafted

At Welsh Oak, we don’t use mass machinery but handcraft our oak frames in the workshop. Large roof trusses are put together ready to be craned into place while the individual components are made to size and labelled in preparation for delivery. On site, a team of oak framers erect the frame where traditional mortise and tenon joints connect the pieces that are fastened in place with wood pegs.

Feature roof trusses

Roof trusses are the huge timbers that hold up the roof and carry the load down the posts to the foundations. Designed to be on show makes them a great talking point, looking equally impressive in small spaces, like a main bedroom, or as a large span in an open-plan room. The trusses can be handcrafted with curves for a softer look and finished with chamfered edges to enhance the bespoke feel. Uplighting the timbers creates drama during the evenings. For the ultimate wow factor, go for a double height vaulted ceiling in the hallway with a galleried landing. At Welsh Oak, we use 3D software to take you on a walk-through so you can see how your finished home will look.

Warm and cosy

An oak frame house can be insulated in a number of ways. This doesn’t only meet the standards of Building Regulations, but exceeds them. An encapsulation system, like structural insulated panels (SIPs), are highly thermal rigid boards constructed to form an envelope around the outside of the frame, leaving the interior oak exposed and your house airtight and warm. To create a more traditional aesthetic, you could add exterior wood cladding. Or keep the timber on show inside and out by using insulated infill panels. With the correct specification, it’s also possible to build an oak frame house to Passivhaus standards.

Strong and long lasting

Green oak has a high moisture content making it easier to work with than seasoned wood. This allows the frame to settle into place. As the oak dries out, the timbers begin to shrink and split, a sign the frame is tightening and strengthening. This gives the house its own natural character. Exterior timbers that have been left untreated will begin to silver but if you want to hang onto the honey tone then sealing the oak at the start will do the trick. Glazing is surface mounted onto the frame to prevent movement during the drying process.

Sustainable build

Trees absorb CO2, release oxygen back into the air and wood is biodegradable. We use oak that comes from a woodland with the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). Oak from the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC). Both guarantee responsible forestry management. Oak is naturally insulating. Combine it with high levels of environmentally friendly insulation and a renewable energy source. Such as a ground source heat pump and solar panels. The result is a house that doesn’t rely on fossil fuel. Like their historic counterparts, oak-framed houses could last for hundreds of years if they’re designed and built by experts.

Take a look at our advice hub for more information.