Oak Frame Conservatories

About Conservatories

The conservatory can trace its roots to the 16th century when the well-to-do sought a way to cultivate lemons and oranges instead of having to import them from overseas. It didn’t take long, however, for these homeowners to appreciate the other lifestyle enhancements the conservatory had to offer and the indoor cultivation of oranges largely moved from conservatories to speciality home extensions that became known as Orangeries.

During the Victorian era, the British love affair with the conservatory reached its zenith as people from all walks of life saw the conservatory as a way to practice their love of gardening year-round. They also appreciated the natural light and warmth the conservatory provided during the long, dark winter months. Today, thanks to companies like Trade Oak Building Kits, the conservatory is making a significant comeback as new generations of homeowners acquaint themselves with the beautiful, versatile home extension.

Why Oak Conservatories?

In a world of evolving building materials, green oak remains a timeless choice. Its enduring beauty and durability defy the passing years, making oak framing an unbeatable option.

Green oak provides a variety of benefits that make it unique among building materials. Those benefits include:

Unmatched durability

Reinforced concrete is used virtually everywhere today, including in home construction, but its viable lifespan is only a few decades. Steel frame buildings typically have an advertised life expectancy of 75-100 years. By comparison, the green oak we use to create our Oak Conservatories can reasonably be expected to last for several hundred years or even longer.

Timeless beauty

Modern building materials have their place but there is not one that can produce the type of timeless beauty you will enjoy with an Oak Frame Conservatory from Trade Oak. Exposed Oak beams, rafters and trusses evoke a more elegant age while at the same time looking perfectly appropriate whether the space below boasts Victorian furnishings or an aggressively minimalist decor.

Ease of assembly

Our Oak Conservatory framing kits are engineered to precise tolerances with each cut made by our state-of-the-art CNC (computer numerical control) milling machine. Detailed instructions are provided with each kit that your contractor can use to assemble the components quickly and safely without having to resort to guesswork. Depending on the skill and experience of your contractor they may be able to erect the entire framework in a single day.

Sustainably sourced

The global concrete industry is one of the world's largest producers of greenhouse gases, contributing more CO2 to the atmosphere than the entire UK. To say it's an environmental disaster would be an understatement. By contrast, we source our green oak from sustainably managed forests and transport them to our mill using the least carbon-intensive methods possible. It's all part of our commitment to global sustainability and future generations.

Low Maintenance

Once assembled the components of an Oak Conservatory frame need little to no maintenance. Unlike steel, oak is naturally moisture resistant, and though the diameter of an oak beam may shrink a tiny bit over the decades it will not shrink length-wise, meaning all the important joints will retain their integrity. You may find yourself conducting maintenance on other aspects of your conservatory but not on the oak beams that comprise the framing.

Do You Need Planning Permission to Build an Oak Conservatory?

Conservatories (oak or otherwise) fall into the same category as single-story home extensions and are often considered permitted development. You do not need planning permission for Oak Framed Conservatories if:

• The Oak Conservatory will not cover more than 50% of the available land on a property.
• The Conservatory is not built on the front or side of the house.
• The highest point of your timber structure does not exceed 4 metres from ground level.
• The eave’s height is not more than 3 metres from ground level.
• The external walls of the Oak Conservatory are not within 2 metres of the property boundary.
• The highest point of the Conservatory roof does not exceed the highest point of the house roof.

The finished Oak Conservatory must also share some design elements with the original house, but the resemblance does not have to be slavish. Similar roofing materials, gutters and downspouts and matching window frame colour will often be enough to satisfy local building regulations.

Oak Framed Conservatories by Trade Oak

Whether you choose one of our Oak Conservatory Kits or a bespoke Oak Conservatory you will be making the smart, environmentally-responsible choice. Your Oak Framed Conservatory will become the new focal point of your home, opening the space up, enhancing your lifestyle, and providing a significant bump in valuation for your property. To order an Oak Frame Structure for your property call Trade Oak today on 01580 880344.