Words from our client, Paul
1. What prompted the homeowners’ decision to build?
Having been inspired to pursue their home extension project after seeing one of our clients’ oak frame homes in a Grand Designs magazine and also at various self-build exhibitions across the country, Paul and his wife turned to our Outbuilding and Extensions team for advice and to design an oak framed conservatory to extend their 1800’s home.
“I liked seeing the exposed structure of the building and I really wanted it to be open,” explains Paul, “so I wanted there to be lots of glass overlooking the garden. I also wanted an oak frame because it’s an excellent, natural building material that lasts for ages; plus, it looks fantastic!”
2. Why did you choose to build a conservatory with Oakwrights?
“Oakwrights’ team were really enthusiastic and more than happy to get involved with my small oak extension project; I highly recommend them,” says Paul. “The overall experience was very good, along with the quality of the oak and the way it has been machined to fit. The fitters also were a credit to the company.
We didn’t have any obstacles; everything was very easy and managed by Oakwrights,” continues Paul. “The most rewarding part of the process was probably going through the initial designs, and then the delivering of the first piece of oak to the site.”
3. What key features did this bespoke oak frame design have to include?
“An oak frame structure is pleasing to look at,” explains Tony Williams, one of our Regional Design Consultants here at Oakwrights. “Here in North Yorkshire, our clients wanted to extend their kitchen to make it more of a living hub. Now, they use the space as their main sitting room because it’s got that all-important garden aspect.”
Andy Grace was the building contractor for this oak frame extension, and he commented further on the uniqueness of this farmhouse conservatory, saying: “it’s topped with horizontal windows that let the light through but still give it privacy, which makes it more interesting aesthetically too.”
4. What do you predominately use your conservatory for?
“We enjoy just sitting in the room and looking out over our garden, as the oak structure frames the garden. I would say that the joints and the roof structure are the most appealing, as they show the engineering that’s gone into it,” concludes Paul.
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