Guides

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 – and 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 three 5 and 6-axis CNC machines (among the largest in the UK!), which profile all the joints for each piece, and create the simple kit-form, with each piece numbered for easy install.

We don’t need to! Our frames are designed to be fast and easy to install, so for us to install would be an extra layer of unnecessary cost! We generally work with existing site resources – this may be the main contractor or another contractor who is working on the project (for example a joiner, bricklayer, or window installer). For practical home owners, or self-builder, this is also perfect as you don’t need to pay for a specialist installer.

If the frame is more complex, or the client would be more comfortable with a specialist, we have a list of approved installers around the country.

We don’t have in-house structural engineers, but can work with 3rd party engineers who have experience in oak framing, if required for your project. Typically, when working on larger projects, the architectural team will have their own engineers who will assist in this area.

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 better than a rebate.