http://www.sessile-oak.co.uk We are a rural business specialising in the design and manufacture of competitively priced traditional and contemporary green oak timber framed buildings. We use proven techniques that have been developed over many centuries by generations of craftsmen to create structures which will stand the test of time. Works range from self-build projects to complete domestic and commercial frames - a solid oak porch, conservatory, garden room, extension, roof, floor, garage, barn, stable, outbuilding or other structure. We also accept commissions for bespoke hand crafted pieces ranging from small commemorative hard-wood or slate gifts, or internal features of the home carved in situ, to large landscape and municipal sculptures. In addition to providing quality and value, all our materials are sourced from environmentally sustainable supplies - local, whenever possible. Based at the border of the Lake District National Park in Cumbria, we offer a skilled, affordable, friendly and flexible service throughout the UK. en-gb Copyright (C) 2010 Sessile Oak. All rights reserved worldwide. Sun, 7 Feb 2010 22:53:30 -0100 http://www.rssfeedssubmit.com/rss-generator/ http://oh-gosh.sessile-oak.co.uk/images/SOmonogram(c)2(plain).jpg http://www.sessile-oak.co.uk 138 148 http://sessile-oak.co.uk/FramesIntro.html Green oak framed construction is a well tested and extremely adaptable building technology. It is a method of construction which has been widely used in the UK and throughout Europe for many centuries. As a modular material, green oak is almost unique in its ability to sit visually and structurally within both traditional and modern contexts. The range of materials and settings that it can be made to complement is limited only by the imagination - its lifespan not just measurable in decades but centuries. It is a very economic way of adding both space and value to your property without having to relocate, and compares very favourably with block, steel or uPVC systems - a complete frame can cost a lot less than you think. In addition to its suitability to a wide range of applications, green oak is renowned for its environmental credentials. Our timbers are selected from sustainably managed and certified woodlands, through reputable suppliers. This promotes the continued management and survival of oak and mixed broadleaved woodlands, together with their associated habitats and wildlife. Once more, this versatile and sustainable material is being appreciated for its strength, adaptability and beauty, and a hitherto dying science and art is now undergoing a welcome revival. http://sessile-oak.co.uk/FramesDesign.html Whilst the primary objective of any design is to create a sound structure, there is a wide variety of frame styles that can be applied to almost any given site or budget. These can range from simple post and beam lean-to extensions to complex multi-plane arch and sling braced trussed frames, allowing considerable scope for creativity and visual impact - in other words, the WOW! factor. To achieve this, we will consult closely with you (or your architect or project manager) throughout the design process, presenting a wide a variety of options through a combination of concept drawings, artist's impressions and increasingly detailed plans to arrive at a design tailored to reflect what you want. Whether you require a porch, roof frame or complete building, it is customary that there be at least one site visit as early as possible to establish or confirm design dimensions, the suitability of materials, site conditions and access. Where applicable, the final approved plans are reviewed by an independent structural engineer for certification prior to carpentry. This process aims to produce a final design that is strong, durable, practical and economic, as well as in keeping with its surroundings and pleasing to the eye. http://sessile-oak.co.uk/FramesCarpentry.html Typically, the bulk of the carpentry work is carried out in the workshop using mainly traditional specialist hand tools in addition to modern, state of the art machinery where applicable. There, the constituent frames of the structure (walls, trusses, etc.) are laid out so that the timbers can be oriented and worked to best allow for the effects of aging and load, as the building matures once installed. All the joints throughout the frames are carefully fitted, making use of classic pegged mortise and tenon joints of a range of shapes and types. This tried and tested method of fabrication is known for its strength and durability. Whilst largely determined during the design stage, the finer carpentry details are often decided upon in response to the features of each individual timber. During marking, we make best use of the particular strengths of every piece of wood - positioning, sizing and shaping accordingly. Green oak, by its nature, is a dynamic material and, as such, demands a high standard of craftsmanship and a thorough understanding of the material. In the shaping of each part of every joint, precision is of the utmost importance. http://sessile-oak.co.uk/FramesConstruct.html Having visited the site on at least one occasion, points of access for timber, plant and equipment will already have been established. The timbers are unloaded and stacked as close as practicable to the build area. The first parts of the frame are installed relative to established setting out points, ready for the next layer of timbers. In this respect, there is always a strict sequence of fitting which must be followed. As it is mainly a matter of reassembling and pegging the constituent frames created in the workshop, this process usually takes place very rapidly causing a minimum of noise and disruption. In a very short time it gives rise to a fully formed self-supporting structure. http://sessile-oak.co.uk/CarvingIntro.html It is always a welcome challenge to explore the design possibilities presented by the creation of a bespoke work of art, be it a small commemorative carving or a large structural sculpture. Although a piece may perform a practical purpose, form can be complemented by function, rather than dependent upon it - it can be entirely dictated by the imagination. The aim is a work of art to suit the individual for whom it has been commissioned and the environment in which it is to be situated, whether the emphasis has been placed upon complexity of detail, naturalistic authenticity or simplicity. http://sessile-oak.co.uk/CarvingDesign.html Certain types of design are often suited to different kinds of wood. The material for each design is best selected on its own particular merit, be it colour, texture or density. Generally, the finer the carving, the closer grained the wood should be. In practical terms, however, there exists a degree of variance in the density of all types of wood and so, providing the correct pieces can be found, there is a great deal of scope for artistic expression. Where different materials are to be combined, their individual characteristics are accounted for as much as possible to ensure the piece's stability and visual impact. http://sessile-oak.co.uk/CarvingSculpting.html The carving work is carried out in the workshop using traditional specialist hand tools, though it is sometimes necessary to use modern machinery during the initial preparation. Once the fine carving work is under way, however, there is little place for anything other than traditional carving tools (many of which are treasured antiques in their own right) together with a great deal of patience. With the wood prepared and the template marked to best allow the grain to accommodate and complement the design, it is ready for working. The first stage is that of \"roughing out\", where the design outline is established. Next comes the \"fining down\". This usually represents the bulk of the work on any project. It is the stage where the carver\'s judgment as to the size and shape of each element of the design\'s finer details comes into play. As the excess wood is cut away, that which remains has to be approached in a particular manner and with an understanding of, and feeling for, how it will respond to the action of the tool applied to it. http://sessile-oak.co.uk/Resources/PBResource.html The Planning and Building Information Resource Page comprises a selection of calculators, converters, charts, on-line tools and other sites detailing and discussing the many aspects of planning, building and managing your projects. The aim of this resource is to provide information which may be of help and interest to customers and visitors alike. It is our hope that the contents of this resource will evolve and expand to serve a wide variety of functions. To this end, if you have any suggestions as to how it may be improved or know of a site or on-line tool that you feel would complement it, we would be most glad to recieve details (URL, etc.) via our email address on our Contact page. Meanwhile, please feel free to make use of this resource as required. http://sessile-oak.co.uk/News.html The new Planning and Building Information Resource page is now on-line, and can be accessed via the main navigation panel to the left. In this, you will find a wide selection of useful links, listed by subject, to a variety of on-line tools and sites detailing and discussing the many aspects of planning, building and managing your projects. The Solway Festival, or Solfest, near Aspatria in Cumbria has become the premier event in the north west of England since its beginnings in 2004. The 2009 festival was a resounding success, despite the weather, and has been nominated for six UK Festival Awards. Last autumn, Sessile Oak attended the High Head Green Gathering at the award winning High Head Sculpture Valley near Ivegill, Cumbria. We were glad to have the opportunity to answer questions and discuss green oak framing and carving projects and techniques throughout the event. We also erected a reclaimed and restored 6x4 metre yellow pine frame, incorporating 3 king post trusses. Our thanks and best wishes to the event organisers and those who took part. http://sessile-oak.co.uk/rss.xml