Our oak is largely either Air Dried or Reclaimed. We are also able to source Green oak when there is a specific request for this. Green oak has been freshly sawn and, as such, it will begin to dry out soon after cutting, losing moisture gradually and shrinking slightly, which can also cause splits and cracks to appear. It is suitable for constructing oak frames in their entirety, as the finished structure will shrink and tighten into itself, resulting in a stable result. However, Green oak is not suitable for fireplace beams, which would likely twist and shrink away from its anchoring points on brick or oak pillars, a chimney breast or wall.

Generally, we work with Air Dried oak as it has been previously sawn into beams, and then ‘sticked and stacked’, allowing air to circulate all around it, for several years before we use it to fabricate our products. This air drying process ensures that the beams have done most of their drying and shrinking before we begin work on them, meaning that they are far more stable and are less likely to warp or twist. Some cracking and small splits are absolutely normal, and add to the character and unique nature of oak beams, of course, but clearly we do not want structural integrity to be lost.