Stuck for ideas on how to add space to your home? Take a look at this impressive line-up of oak frame additions, packed with eye-catching ideas for extending
Set on the banks of the River Dart in Devon, this cottage has been extended to form a large, open-plan kitchen/dining/living room with panoramic views. Due to the site’s gradient, the floorplan is partly elevated with the outlook through the glazed gable end seeming to project out over the water. The arch brace frame by Carpenter Oak (www.carpenteroak.com) has hidden steelwork to reinforce the structure and bifold doors open onto a side terrace. Expect to pay from £1,800-£2,500 per m 2 of living space for a similar design.
DESIGNING AN OAK EXTENSION
What can you achieve in the design of an oak frame extension that you can’t with bricks and mortar? A bespoke oak frame is not only structural but also visible, so the oak brings texture and warmth to a home that improves with age. Vaulted ceilings and exposed beams add character.
What needs to be considered in the design? Thinking ahead will help you plan a space that’s not only aesthetically stunning but functional, too. Who will use the extension? How will it be used and how do you want to feel when you’re in it? Which part of the house will the addition connect to? What would you like to see when you look out of the windows? For example, opting for large-scale integrated glazing will bring lots of natural light into your new space.
Does an oak frame extension work best with a modern or traditional home? Both! There are limitless design opportunities with oak systems. We’ve planned and built everything from traditional frames to stunning contemporary structures integrating steel. Almost anything you can imagine is possible.
How is the frame built to be thermally efficient and warm? Oak frame extensions are built with modern methods of construction and insulating external panels to ensure airtightness and a stable internal temperature. Be sure to use an expert designer so that every aspect is fully considered.
What kind of features give an oak extension the wow factor? Whatever your chosen extension style, it’s the oak that brings the wow, whether via a dramatic vaulted ceiling, exposed beams or a post you can run your hand over to appreciate its character and warmth up close. A unique, handcrafted frame with beautifully integrated glazing always looks exceptional.