Amazingly, mortise and tenon joints were used as far back as prehistoric times – although it was not until the Middle Ages that they became really popular, when a revolution in oak framing took hold. It’s a tribute to this construction method, the durability of timber and the skill of the craftspeople that many of our most treasured historic buildings date from this period. At Carpenter Oak & Woodland, we use the same structural elements used in many of these buildings.
The most traditional method of building an oak frame house – using joints held together using timber pegs – provides what architects often refer to as an ‘honest’ timber frame: one without hidden supports. There are some constraints compared with modern building methods, and this method requires greater skill to construct, but (ultimately) this is beneficial, as the oak frame works structurally in its own right and it’s always pleasing to see an oak frame which supports itself.
By working to traditional methods, Carpenter Oak & Woodland achieves stunning results
Working timber, especially oak, in this way requires skills and expertise which cannot be replicated by a machine. Where appropriate, we incorporate the natural shape of the oak timber into the frame, to create the strongest structure with the most pleasing aesthetics. Only a trained craftsperson can select the right piece of wood and work nature’s idiosyncrasies in such a way that it retains all of its strength and beauty.
Of course, we don’t impose traditional methods for their own sake or when they are impractical. Because we’re highly skilled timber engineers, and everything which we do is bespoke, we have world-class expertise in incorporating modern materials – such as steel and glass – into an oak framed building. Our skills in doing so surpass most others, getting the best from the old and new world. Even on our most modern designs, though, we still use traditional methods to ensure an oak frame house of unique character.
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