Recently, we had the privilege of helping to restore the interior of a beautiful 17th Century
home that had been badly burnt in a fire. It was a devastating situation for our clients to have
to deal with, of course. Fortunately, our yard has a large stock of ancient, reclaimed oak
beams and boards of all sizes, some of them many hundreds of years old. The customers
were relieved to see that we would indeed be able to source all the reclaimed oak necessary
to restore their home to its former glory. The devastation of a fire is unimaginable, but being
able to rebuild and remodel with ancient, reclaimed oak adds a depth of history and
continuity.

The restoration was rewarding in both craftsmanship and in the sense of preserving
something invaluable. Bringing reclaimed oak into such a structure as this required very
careful selection. Each piece was examined for integrity, treated to remove any remnants of
past decay, and prepared for integration. Much like the craftsmen from centuries past, we
took pride in working meticulously to shape and fit the wood using traditional joinery
techniques. Floors were carefully laid with reclaimed planks, some still bearing the marks of
ancient pit-sawing. Hand-hewn reclaimed beams were used to replace stud walls, floor joists,
ceiling beams and roof rafters. Doors, cupboards and staircases were crafted from salvaged
oak, ensuring that every detail resonated with the home's original character.

But beyond the technical aspects of the work, this project felt like a legacy—repairing a home
and preserving its essence, leaving a lasting impact on everyone that was involved.

If you have a project in mind, TradOak offers consultancy and delivery. Get in touch with us today!