Frequently Asked Questions

Vestra Oak is the specialist Oak framing division for the Hardwoods Group. Hardwoods Group is an established company that has been around for over 25 years, offering a range of products such as cladding and mouldings – however, the main speciality has always been in the oak framing, so the new Vestra Oak brand was launched to fully represent this, and to highlight this to our customers.

 Vestra Oak manufacture and supply a complete Oak framing solution, providing anything from oak porches and trusses, to full homes and extensions, with anything in between. We use the experience and knowledge gained from working for over 20 years in Oak to give expert advice on the bespoke frames, starting with the design, through the offsite manufacture, to the practical guidance for assembly.

We work with all the relevant stakeholders in your project, however we primarily work with, and supply to, the contractor or builder who will be installing the Oak frame. This may be the main contractor or another contractor who is working on the project (joiner, window installer, landscaper or bricklayer) as they will be providing the other materials and dimensions for the frame. We also work with the client and the architect throughout, as we pull together all the requirements into one place to deliver a seamless oak framing experience from concept to completion.

 All the Oak is Quercus Robur, or English Oak, though it is grown and milled in Northern France where we buy the sawn beams. This then gets transported to our Cheshire factory for processing.

The first step is to plane all the beams which creates a smooth surface and ensures the beam is square.

The next step is the main part – Vestra Oak operates two 5 and 6-axis CNC machines which are among the largest in the UK, and can profile all the joints for each piece, and creates the simple kit-form, with each piece numbered for easy install.

For glazed frames including gable frames, gazebos and porches, we use a special two-part capping system. We have a install manual for this – essentially, there's a first layer of kiln dried timber, which the glass sits upon, then the drip bead and tape is added, before the second stage of oak holds the glass onto the frame. The kiln dried capping ensures that while the main frame shrinks and moves as it dries out, the glass is kept totally secure and watertight – much more effectively than a rebate.

Vestra Oak provides as much or as little as you or the contractor is happy to source – most often, we provide accessories such as cladding (featheredge or TGV), the glass, rafters, studwork, foot bases (eg. Adjustable steel or staddle stones), weather coating, and sometimes even cedar shingles or similar. We would always provide more than enough oak pegs to secure the joints together.