Cedar Timber Frame? Or Cladding?
Western red cedar is a popular choice for cladding due to its excellent durability and stability alongside great thermal and acoustic properties. It has a low tendency to twist, shrink, check or warp. This low-density timber is light and relatively easy to install, displaying only small movements with changes in humidity.
An important characteristic is having a good thermal insulator, wood is traditionally an excellent thermal insulator. This means it will help keep buildings cool in the summer and reduce heating costs in the winter.
Western Red Cedar is particularly effective when it comes to acoustics, because of the high internal friction created by the internal moisture, wood has more sound damping capacity than most structural materials, meaning a good Cedar Timber frame or cladding can be used to help reduce noise or to confine it to certain areas.
The conduction of heat in wood is directly related to its density. Woods with low density have the highest thermal insulating value because such woods contain a high proportion of cell cavities. In dry wood, these cavities are filled with air which is one of the best known thermal insulators.
When left untreated the timber will fade to a beautiful silver sheen. As it contains no resin it can also take a range of paints, stains and to complement your building style.
If you arent sure what wood should be used for your timber frame project then get in touch and discuss it with us. We work with the big three quality construction timbers readily available in the UK – oak, Douglas fir and larch.
We source from PEFC and FSC certified suppliers meaning you can be sure that the forestry methods are responsible and the stocks sustainable. We also work in Glulaminated beams which are available in many different timbers. Lesser softwoods can be used internally for sarking boards, and we commonly use Western Red Cedar as exterior cladding.
Meet the team
Dan Strutt
Glazing
Joined Carpenter Oak: 2015
Interview with Dan Strutt
Which is your favourite Carpenter Oak project?
The first frame I co-built and put up
If stranded on a desert Island, which three people would you take and why?
Ryan Stoneman – the only person on the Carpenter Oak fishing trip to catch anything
What is the best comedy film ever made?
Airplane!/Naked Gun – Comedy gold and the same bad jokes as me.
What do you enjoy most about working at Carpenter Oak?
Being on a project from start to finish and then going to see what you have made get raised – very satisfying.
Where is your favourite place in the world?
It would have to be at home with my family
What do you enjoy doing when not in the yard?
Oil painting, especially seascapes and local places, surfing around Devon and Cornwall. I think my favourite thing though is going down the river Dart on my boat, lighting fires on the banks, fishing, camping with my family, being outdoors.
What is the most embarrassing job you have ever had?
Not sure it’s embarrassing but the worst job I’ve had is when I was young and working in a milk factory. Everything smelt of milk, I smelt of milk the whole time, it was mind numbingly boring. Actually an embarrassing job is any concerning a uniform with a baseball cap because it makes my ears stick out. Woodlands had baseball caps.
What sort of music do you enjoy listening to?
I have a very broad taste in music, everything from classic rock to classical. My wife has an ipod full of terrible pop music, which she sometimes leaves in the car. I quite enjoy listening to that too…
Biography
I was born in New Zealand and lived in Nigeria before my family moved to Totnes in South Devon. I went to Dartington primary and then on to KEVICCs, and of course did the obligatory Totnes stint working at Woodlands. I’ve always enjoyed creating things, be it building or painting and I do think that generally people’s careers follow their instincts, for me that has been carpentry. I worked in the joinery shop of a company building motor caravans for 15 years, where I was part of the design, cut, and machine process. For years, Jono at Carpenter Oak had been saying I’d really enjoy it here and eventually when the time was right for a change there was a position available. I have now been at Carpenter Oak since 2015. My roles are carpentry and glazing, which we offer within the Devon and Cornwall area. It is a good balance doing both and is nice to have the variation, it keeps things fresh and interesting.
Pontus Karlsson
Carpenter
Interview with Pontus Karlsson
When not in yard what do you enjoy doing:
When I’m not in the yard I like to spend time outdoors. I like to go camping and go for long walks with my partner. I also like to volunteer for different community projects and build cool things with natural materials.
Music:
I’m quite easy going when it comes to music and can enjoy most genres. But what I mostly tend to put on at home is progressive rock or reggae/Dub.
Best comedy film:
Black Cat White Cat
Enjoy about working at Carpenter Oak:
The best thing about working at Carpenter Oak is to have the opportunity to work with my favourite material, building my favourite things in one of my favourite places in the world.
Favourite place in the world:
The Arctic highlands around midsummer. Nothing beats the midnight sun, the amazing views and the fresh air up there! All the rest of the year I quite like spending in Devon. It’s pretty magical around here with so many beautiful places to explore!
Biography
I grew up in Sweden, in a town called Västerås. Went through IT-college and worked for a couple of years in the local robotics factory before going travelling in my early twenties. Found out about permaculture and natural building whilst in Asia and went WWOOF-ing. Met my partner in crime, Luciana, on a woofing farm in the north of Thailand and we have stuck together since. Ended up in Wales where I rediscovered my passion for wood that had been dormant for many years and started on the journey towards carpentry. Sought out volunteering opportunities and went on courses, spent a year living in Spain before ending up in Devon and getting a job building natural playgrounds. Went back to Sweden for a year to get a diploma in furniture design and as part of the course I had six weeks of work experience which I did at Carpenter Oak in Devon. I must have made a good impression because they offered me a job and now I’m back in Devon and loving every minute of it!
Chris Loughran
Carpenter
Joined Carpenter Oak: 2020
Interview with Chris Loughran
What do you enjoy most about working at Carpenter Oak?
The satisfaction of a well made joint.
When not in the yard, what do you enjoy doing?
Whitewater kayaking and mountain biking.
What is the best project you have worked on and why?
Coad – first job I saw through from start to finish. And the client was a fellow Irishman
Who would be in your dream carpentry team?
Alan Wood because he could build a boat and I bet he’d have rum, Jono because I suspect he could fashion an engine out of anything for said boat and Dunstan to keep the heavy drum and bass going while I smash the rum and wait for Alan and Jono to get me home.
What music do you listen to in the workshop?
I listen to everything – classic rock, reggae, drum and bass, deep house, classical, whatever Spotify brings up.
Favourite quote?
‘Try harder, be better.’ – Chris Loughran, 2020
Where is your favourite place in the world?
Floating over the lip of a 70ft waterfall in my kayak, can’t beat it.
Liam Teviotdale
Trainee Team Leader
Joined Carpenter Oak: 2020
Favourite thing about working at Carpenter Oak?
The chance to be part of keeping traditional building practices alive in the modern world. Getting to work alongside such great people.
When not in the yard, what do you enjoy doing?
I enjoy travelling both near and far.
I like to paddle-board and mountain bike.
Anything that involves the outdoors!
Biography
I come from Glen Isla, Scotland. A stones throw from the Carpenter Oak Yard. Its a truly stunning place to grow up and i feel so lucky that I spent my childhood exploring the hills there. As I grew up I started to explore different options of work and study to try and find something fulfilling. After years of trying out different types of vocation I stumbled across carpenter oak. It appealed to me in reasons I didn’t fully understand at the time but decided to try for the job. I was accepted and quickly realised I made the right decision. I quickly seen progress in not only my working skill but other areas of my life due to feeling like I had found my calling. I have made great friends working here and feel lucky and proud to be part of this team.
I love the fact that from the entrance you have no idea of what lies behind the door. When you open it up, the oak frame frames the view of the lake. A lot of people who come to the front door are surprised, from the outside you would not expect the space that you see upon entering the house.
Melanie – Tingrith Lakes, Client
The gallery at Tremenheere is a remarkable success. I believe this is a building in which everyone involved can take huge pride.
Neil – Tremenheere, Client
A green oak frame oozes character and, as with many of the fine things in life, gets better with age. As the frame seasons, the timbers are an enduring source of fascination as their tone and texture change and surface shakes appear.
Adam Milton, Founding Director
Watching the oak frame go up was incredible, and within three days it was fully erected. I almost didn't want them to build anything around it because it was so beautiful...
Annie Laing, Client
The Carpenter Oak experience was, as expected, a sturdy and robust service, with style and enthusiasm, a team of skilled workers who truly cared about the journey of this sensational building.
