The Process
Whether your coming to us with an idea, or already have architects drawings we will work with you to make your idea of an oak frame a reality.
The Process
- Firstly we would love to hear from you! Please get in contact via phone or email, after a discussion with you we can come up with a design brief for the project, if needed, and provide an estimate cost for our works.
- Once you're happy with our estimate we would then arrange a site visit to confirm dimensions and design. From this we can then provide a fixed quote. Once the quote has been accepted we would then provide scaled design drawings for the project to be approved.
- When the design has been approve we then order the timber required and start construction in the yard of your oak frame. Preparation and accuracy are essential to the way we work, this ensures we finish on schedule.
- Every frame is manufactured by hand at our workshop in the heart of Cheshire, using traditional methods which have stood the test of time. All our mortice and tenon joints are draw pegged, this means as we knock the peg in it pulls the joint together nicely.
- By the time we arrive on site for raising day your frame will have already been together once on the yard, this is to ensure all the joints work properly and mark them for the off-set peg holes. Again, it also minimises time spent on site and a more efficient build.
- Site day arrives and we transport your frame to location and start the installation process. Frames go together mainly using traditional oak pegs, only using fixings where necessary such as attaching to masonry.
- If the frame is being glazed then we will take measurements for the glass once the frame is up, ordering the next day and then returning to glaze the frame usually within a couple of weeks. Our glazed frames use a tried and tested method to keep the frame watertight.
- Once all our sitework is complete we will ensure you are happy with everything we have done. We will then give the frame an acid wash to clean it of any dirt or black marks from the construction phase.
- Now we’ve left it’s up to you as to whether to leave it to go grey naturally over a few years or oil it to keep its colour. As we mentioned oak is highly durable and so leaving it to go grey won’t affect its performance. It’s a personal choice though and one that some of our clients have changed their minds about when they’ve seen the frame in place.
- With the oak frame now complete, it is usual to have further building works done, we are of course happy to liaise with contractors to ensure the right finish is achieved.
Planning
Whether or not you need planning for you chosen frame depends on a number of factors such as the size, finished height, location to the house and what kind of structure it is. Most properties have permitted development rights, and under these rights you can lawfully build as long as you meet the criteria for the chosen build. Garages and garden rooms can, depending on where they are sited, be built to come under permitted development. We are happy to provide guidance on planning and permitted development however it is always worth checking with your local planning authority.
If planning is needed, we can help you with the process of getting permission through one of our planning consultant contacts. Likewise, if building regulations are needed then structural engineering calculations would be required which we can obtain. We would recommend to our clients to have an architect involved on larger projects, we can provide suitable architect details if needed, working alongside an architect and yourself we will ensure you get the frame you want.
The Build
Hand crafting frames is at the heart of what we do, and we take great satisfaction in doing so. Whether a small porch or large garage we take pride in making the frames to the highest standard.
Here are some images with frames both in the workshop and being raised on site.
