Why oak beams are great for your home

Oak beams are a desirable feature in any new build or home renovation project as oak is a strong, sustainable wood that also ages well. Oak beams have been used in homes for hundreds of years for both their aesthetics and structural qualities. When renovating or building a home, choosing wooden beams is often a tempting option, but is it right for you?

In addition to their beauty and strength, here are five additional reasons why you should consider oak beams in your next project:

Oak looks timeless

Oak has been used in construction since the middle ages. As the timber ages, they acquire more character through small splits known as ‘shakes’ that quickly give the wood an attractive worn-in look. Light also diffuses differently from a wooden beam, giving a room a softer glow compared to the sharper light that can refract from steel or concrete beams. Oak beams are also pleasing to the eye, interesting to touch and carry a distinct scent that is unmistakable.

Oak can be styled as you need

Oak wood is a versatile material that comes in many different styles. Its versatility allows you to customise it to your space. Whether you are going for a rustic aesthetic with chunkier, untreated air-dried or reclaimed timbers, a smoother, more modern look, or even a mixture of both, you can match it to your style.

Oak beams are structurally strong

Oak was historically chosen as a building material because it becomes harder and stronger over time. It is high density, and will never shrink lengthwise. And, although oak beams may contract in width, standard oak beams are designed to accommodate this shrinkage in the initial outlay.

Oak is resilient and safe

Oak is naturally resistant to insect infestations and rot. The wood is permeable and ‘breathes’, which allows moisture to pass through the timber. Surprisingly to some, it also performs well in the event of a fire due to its low level of thermal conductivity and a high degree of material density. In the event of an incident, it has also been proven to retain its shape and load-bearing strength as consistently as other non-organic support materials.

Oak is a sustainable wood

Our oak is sustainable. This means that it has been grown and maintained in forests overseen by designated stewards. Regular re-planting also provides benefits as younger trees grow vigorously and work to scrub more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere than an older tree.

At Traditional Oak and Timber Company, we also specialise in the use of reclaimed timbers which reduces the number of new trees being cut down as we source our oak from farms and buildings that are out of use or being taken down.

Final Thoughts

Using oak beams in your home build or home renovation project has many benefits; they make homes that are beautiful, strong, and safe while limiting the impact on the environment.

If you are interested in incorporating oak beams into your home, contact us today for a free consultation and quote.