As timber frame specialists, we are often asked which materials to use, and especially about the advantages of using green Oak.
Green Oak is a description of Oak that has been felled within the past eighteen months. Because the Oak has been felled so recently, the wood will still have lots of moisture—about 60-80%. As the timbers dry out naturally, there is likely to be some opening of the grain and movement, creating unique and attractive features in the Oak.
Green Oak has lots of advantages.
- It is a versatile wood which is easy to use.
- It is cheaper than seasoned Oak and easy to get hold of.
- It is easier to cut and work with and has great longevity as it is resistant to damage.
- It is relatively lightweight compared to manmade materials and is very strong, able to weight bear heavy loads such as roofs.
- It looks beautiful with a distinctive grain and silver appearance once it has seasoned.
- It is naturally weather resistant, more so over time as it seasons.
At Barnwood Carpentry, we love to work with green Oak and have many examples of our previous work. Contact us to discuss your next green Oak project.
