About OakCraft
Nestled in the heart of the New Forest at Holmsley Mill in Burley, OakCraft brings the beauty and authenticity of hand finished oak buildings to life. Every project we create is a testament to time-honoured craftsmanship combined with our innovative techniques. Our skilled team takes pride in using traditional woodworking methods, enhanced by our patented OakCraft Jointing System (Patent Number 2338004), to produce structures that are not only durable but also exude timeless charm and character.
The Heritage of Holmsley Mill
Holmsley Mill has been a hub of woodworking excellence for over a century, with its rich history woven into everything we do. During the Second World War, it played a pivotal role in shaping oak railway sleepers to support the wartime effort. Today, we honour that legacy by crafting each oak building with the same dedication and expertise, using carefully sourced oak from sustainable forestry management schemes, ensuring both quality and environmental responsibility.
A Truly Personal Experience
At OakCraft, you’ll have the opportunity to speak directly with the person managing your project from start to finish, ensuring a personalised experience. Our warm and friendly team is here to guide you every step of the way, from planning to build, making sure your vision comes to life with the authenticity and rustic charm that only hand finished oak can provide.
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Our Ethos
At OakCraft, we’re passionate about continuing the centuries-old tradition of oak framing to create beautiful, lasting oak buildings. Each project is lovingly hand finished by our skilled team, combining time-honoured techniques with our innovative OakCraft Jointing System (Patent Number 2338004). The result? Stunning, sustainable buildings that bring both charm and strength to your home.
We’ll be with you every step of the way, working closely with you, your builders, and our trusted structural engineering partners (if needed) to make sure your oak building is carefully planned, built to last, and meets the highest standards of quality and safety.
Oak Framing
At OakCraft, centuries of craftsmanship come together to meet today’s needs. We create stunning oak timber frames for any oak building project, blending tradition with freshly sawn oak and time-honoured techniques. Each structure is lovingly hand finished, offering a unique blend of beauty and sustainability. With the strength, design flexibility, and efficiency of off-site construction, oak framing is the perfect choice for your next build.
Bespoke Design
At OakCraft, we take pride in preserving the timeless art of hand-finished excellence, even as the industry moves towards mass-produced, machine-cut frames. We believe in the beauty of tradition, which is why we continue to embrace the time-honoured techniques passed down through generations, focusing on skilled craftsmanship over automation.
Each of our oak buildings is lovingly crafted by our talented team of master craftspeople, ensuring that every frame is a truly bespoke creation. No two structures are the same, with every design tailored to reflect the unique vision and character of our clients.
Whether you’re dreaming of a cosy oak extension, a charming stable, or another beautifully designed outdoor space, our team is here to make that dream a reality. Let us create a bespoke oak frame that perfectly complements your lifestyle and architectural tastes.
Why Choose Oak?
Oak has long been cherished for its strength, durability, and timeless beauty. At OakCraft, our skilled artisans use traditional mortise and tenon joinery to ensure that your oak building not only looks stunning but also stands strong for generations to come.
Enduring Strength: Oak buildings are known for their remarkable resilience, offering lasting protection against the elements. With their natural toughness, they provide a structure that will proudly endure the test of time.
Timeless Elegance: The rich grain patterns and natural warmth of oak create a welcoming, visually stunning space, adding character and elegance to any setting. Oak buildings blend enduring beauty with inviting charm, making them a perfect choice for those who appreciate both form and function.
Our Buildings
At OakCraft, we specialise in creating a variety of beautiful oak buildings, each designed to enhance both your property and your lifestyle. With the expertise of our skilled engineers and designers, we ensure every structure offers unbeatable strength, lasting durability, and timeless beauty.
Garages: Our elegant oak garages provide protection for your vehicles while adding a touch of classic charm to your home.
Home Offices & Garden Rooms: Create a peaceful, inspiring workspace in the heart of your garden with one of our bespoke oak buildings.
Conservatories & Orangeries: Enjoy light-filled extensions that blend your home with the beauty of the outdoors.
Annexes: Whether for guest accommodation or multi-generational living, our oak-framed annexes offer comfort and style in a self-contained space.
Each structure reflects our passion for craftsmanship and the endless potential of oak buildings.
OakCraft Jointing System
At OakCraft, we lovingly blend centuries-old oak framing traditions with our innovative, patented OakCraft Jointing System (Patent Number 2338004). This unique approach not only ensures superior strength and resilience in every oak building but also enhances its beauty—advantages you simply won’t find anywhere else.
Our system’s versatility allows us to transform traditional designs, providing you with unparalleled customisation and expanding your creative possibilities. We treat every project as a unique endeavour, crafting each structure without relying on pre-built stock. Whether you’re dreaming of a standalone masterpiece or a building that harmoniously blends with its surroundings, our expertise at OakCraft brings your vision to life.
Direct Glazing
Our premier direct glazing system is the ideal partner for your beautiful oak buildings. Featuring oak cover boards that secure the glass externally, this design maximises natural light and beautifully showcases the elegance of the oak frame. Not only does it allow sunshine to flood your space, but it also ensures complete weatherproofing, keeping your interior cosy and dry.
Unparalleled Natural Light: Enjoy bright, sunlit spaces filled with warmth and energy.
Frame-Focused Aesthetics: Highlight the stunning beauty of your green oak structure with every glance.
Built to Last: Our weatherproofing is designed to accommodate the natural movement of green oak, ensuring durability and longevity.
At OakCraft, we’re dedicated to enhancing your experience with our oak buildings, combining functionality and beauty in every detail.
Joinery (Doors, Staircases and Windows)
At OakCraft, our services go beyond crafting exceptional oak framed buildings. We take pride in supplying beautiful doors, staircases, and joinery pieces that perfectly complement our oak buildings.
Ledge and Brace Doors: For outbuildings like garages and sheds, we offer robust frame-ledged and braced doors. Made from oak or other hardwoods and softwoods, these high quality doors add a touch of charm and practicality to any oak-framed structure.
Staircases: Whether you envision a stunning internal staircase or an elegant external one, our skilled craftsmen are here to bring your dreams to life. We create staircases that are not only sturdy and functional but also serve as beautiful works of art.
Joinery: In addition to doors and staircases, we offer a wide range of joinery services. Whether you’re looking for single or double doors, bi-fold doors, opening windows, or other custom joinery pieces, we can source and install high-quality products in softwood, oak, or aluminium to perfectly complement your oak frame and enhance its beauty.
At OakCraft, we’re committed to making your vision a reality, ensuring that every detail shines in your home.
Cladding
At OakCraft, our exceptional oak frames are designed to beautifully integrate with a variety of cladding options, giving you the freedom to create a unique aesthetic that meets your functional and performance needs.
Primary Materials: We primarily use softwood and oak for our cladding, known for their natural beauty and durability. These materials not only enhance the charm of your oak buildings but also provide excellent insulation and longevity.
Additional Options: If you’re looking for something different, we can offer alternative timber choices like Douglas fir, cedar, or larch upon request. Each option brings its own unique character—from the strength of Douglas fir to the classic elegance of cedar and larch—allowing for even more customisation to match your personal style.
Customisable Finishes: You can enhance your chosen cladding with a variety of stains and finishes that protect and preserve its natural beauty. These customisable options let you create the perfect visual statement that reflects your taste and enhances the overall appeal of your oak buildings.
Please note that we focus exclusively on high quality timber options and do not offer metal cladding. Our commitment is to provide materials that best align with the traditional and contemporary aesthetics of our oak-framed structures.
Insulation
At OakCraft, we believe in the natural benefits of oak, which is a dense and robust wood that provides excellent insulation. This means that in many cases, you might not need extensive additional insulation for your oak buildings, like garages and similar structures. However, insulation needs can vary based on how you plan to use your building, and we’re here to help you find the perfect solution.
Our team of experts is dedicated to designing insulation solutions that align with your building’s purpose, geographical setting, and aesthetic preferences. Whether you’re creating a cosy home office, a welcoming guest room, or any other space, we’ll ensure you achieve optimal thermal comfort and energy efficiency.
If you’re looking for insulation for a workshop, garden studio, or any auxiliary structure, we’ll help you choose an option that balances functionality, energy efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. At OakCraft, we’re committed to making your oak buildings comfortable and inviting, no matter their purpose.
Sustainable Forests
At OakCraft, located at Holmsley Mill, we embrace a beautiful blend of traditional craftsmanship and modern environmental ethics. We take great care in sourcing our oak from sustainably managed forests, ensuring that every oak building we create is of exceptional quality and contributes positively to environmental conservation.
We believe that true craftsmanship is about maintaining a harmonious relationship with nature. That’s why we prioritise timber from renewable sources, allowing us to create stunning oak-framed structures while protecting our planet for future generations. Together, we can build a more sustainable future, one oak building at a time!
Working With Architects and Builders
At OakCraft, we understand that creating exceptional oak buildings often requires a team effort, and we’re here to collaborate with you every step of the way. Our partnership approach allows us to leverage our expertise to seamlessly integrate with your existing plans.
If you’re an architect with a design that incorporates oak elements, our team is ready to review your plans and offer expert advice. With our extensive experience, we can help identify potential challenges and propose innovative solutions to ensure the smooth integration of oak components into your design.
For builders, we are proud to be a trusted companion, complementing your skills with our specialised knowledge in oak framing. Our talented CAD designers can create detailed drawings for the oak-framed sections of your project, ensuring precise execution and a stunning final result that exceeds your client’s expectations.
While we don’t provide in-house structural engineering services, we maintain strong partnerships with reputable structural engineers. This collaboration allows us to deliver the necessary structural calculations and ensure that our oak frames comply with all relevant regulations, giving you peace of mind and ensuring the structural integrity of your project. Together, we can create beautiful and lasting oak buildings that you and your clients will cherish!
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