Creating an Oak Frame Outdoor Entertainment Space

Last September time we received a call from a client “just down the road” from us near Malpas in Cheshire interested in an Oak Frame Cookhouse. The enquiry presented us with several challenges, could we get the structure finished for Christmas, could it fit in with the pitch of an existing, adjoining building, and could we work with the contractors already busy on the house renovation and garden design?

Having already seen our website and Pinterest page the client had a clear idea of what type of outdoor living structure she’d like and had planned an Oak Frame Cookhouse into her initial early designs. The garden and outdoor areas were the final stage of a much bigger project.

Our task was to create an Oak outdoor cooking and eating pavilion to fit in with the garden design and roof pitches of existing buildings include an Oak truss in the garden facing gable and use an acrylic panel to create further shelter. When you have views like this you want to enjoy them all year round. An Oak Cookhouse provides shelter in the cooler months from wind and rain and shade in the summertime.

As this project used bespoke dimensions and heights there was a considerable amount of planning and design drawing to join the new structure to the old seamlessly and ensure the Oak frame met all the required structural calculations to ensure the weight of the materials for the roof covering were suitable for the pitch of the roof.

We worked with the garden designer to position the structure and liaised with the groundworks team to install the block footings necessary for the Oak posts.

The team of Cheshire Oak Structures joiners then arrived on site to start work on the Oak Frame using a genie lift as there were restrictions to the access of the site. The roofing team were involved earlier than usual as it was necessary to make sure the roofing material of the existing building and new Oak Cookhouse blended together.

Groundworks and garden design was on going through the build and included a combination of finishes including stone slabs, cobbles and flower beds to frame the Oak Structure.

We use Red Cheshire Sandstone Staddle stones which co-ordinate perfectly with the property as it is situated at one end of the sandstone ridge which runs through this part of Cheshire. It is perfectly in keeping with the surroundings and history of the area.

You may notice some marks on the Oak posts during the build process. These are all removed during a final process of “acid washing” the Oak frame at the very end of the build before the project is signed off with the client.

The client then added some finishing touches including a beautiful feature chandelier and lighting to highlight the features on the Oak knee braces, Oak posts, and Oak pegs to complete the structure. Timing of these outdoor living Oak frame projects is important as once they are finished clients want to use them immediately. This one is now ready for the client their outdoor cooking stove and seating, to enjoy all through Spring and into the Summer months. We hope you agree it is a stunning Oak Structure and wonderful addition to the property.

To find out more and start planning your own Oak Structure for outdoor living click here, complete the enquiry form or call the us in the Cheshire Oak Structures office on 01829 250919.