Oak Frame Summerhouse - A Case Study - From Design to Completed Oak Structure

We first received an enquiry for an Oak structure for garden storage requesting ideas and budget costs. We sent out an information pack containing design ideas with a selection of suitable Oak buildings, plus specification information and price indications. The pack sparked some ideas as the building turned from garden storage into an Oak summerhouse which was also to be used as an office with a veranda seating area.

The next step was to carry out a site visit before drawing up design ideas and putting together a full costing and price quotation. Our customer wanted the Oak structure positioned in his garden to give the best views and outlook but it had to fit in with the style of the garden. The property is surrounded by open fields and has a mature garden with some stunning trees. There was also an older, less substantial summerhouse that had seen better days which the new Oak frame structure was to replace. Our customer wanted the new Oak frame summerhouse to fit in and be sympathetic to the surroundings.

The visit to the site, on the outskirt of Chester, revealed some challenges for the construction process as access to the garden was limited and narrow. We could not use the usual machinery and lifting equipment. An example of a reason why a site visit is important to understand what is involved and prevent potential problems at the build stage.

The design drawings for an Oak frame summerhouse and office with kiln dried Oak French doors and windows to create a light, bright workspace, plus veranda to give an attractive seating area and cedar shingle roof were signed off by the client before we applied for planning permission. Cedar shingles were used as the roof covering to tone in with the trees and as they are very sympathetic to the surroundings.

Once planning permission was received we could plan time in the workshop to make the Oak frame while our team installed the groundworks. Once the concrete base and dwarf brick wall were ready and all measurements checked the Oak frame was delivered and using a genie lift we started the construction process.

With the Oak posts and eaves beams in place we then construct the roof rafters and ridge board before fitting the stud walls and wind bracing. The Oak structure is clad with horizontal weatherboarding. Finally the Oak joinery, doors and windows are fitted. All oak doors and windows are oiled before fitting to protect the timber. On this Oak summerhouse we were asked to fit tongue and groove boarding under the ceiling section of the veranda.

Our customer enjoyed the process of the building going up, taking a great interest in each stage of the build. In this case the client was that enthusiastic and pleased with the structure he moved into it before we had actually finished!

We hope this helps to explain the process from design, through to supply and construction. If you have questions or would like to learn more about our Oak structures, including our Oak summerhouses please call the office on 01829 250919 or compete the online form here.