Larch Timber Frame or external cladding?
Larch is a versatile timber that works well in exterior structures and cladding as its resin content naturally protects it from decay. Whilst larch is a softwood, it is renowned for its durability. Larch brings character to patios, porches and balconies, as well as building finishes such as cladding.
Larch blends particularly well with Douglas fir. These two timbers form a natural partnership for projects where timber design is key to indoor and outdoor spaces. Not commonly found in large timber frame structures compared to a dense wood like Oak, there are examples of smaller frames in construction.
Often used for doors and finishes like cladding, Larch is often used for yacht building and joinery too. A fine choice for flooring because it has a nice machined surface with a fine grain finish, and due to the light yellowy color it can be stained easily.
Modern timber engineering techniques allow seamless integration of different timbers to create a complimentary feel from the interior to the exterior, we can design a palette of materials that work effectively with a timber frame project.
We can provide Standard Detailing on any project, to ensure seamless integration of your chosen materials and design into the build process. These can form part of a construction drawing set or be made available to assist the project architect.
Since 1987, we’ve been involved in some of the most challenging timber-framed buildings in the UK and overseas. Collaborating with our clients, architects, engineers and designers, our expert knowledge and skill has led to many award-winning projects that feature a Carpenter Oak frame, including multiple regional and national RIBA Awards, three consecutive Build It Awards for Best Oak Frame and the Stirling Prize. Get in touch with us today to discuss your project.
Meet the team
Private: Jacob Wood
Carpenter
Joined Carpenter Oak: 2015
Interview with Jacob Wood
What do you enjoy doing when not in the workshop?
Bird watching with my partner, I go locally but I’ve been bird watching all over the place from the Hebrides to the Scilly Isles.
What sort of music do you enjoy listening to?
I really like reggae and ska and also some older stuff like The Beatles and The Kinks.
Best thing about working at Carpenter Oak?
The people, everyone is great and the atmosphere here is really nice.
Biography
I started working for Carpenter Oak in 2015 after finishing 6th-form in Totnes. Since then I have been learning a lot about carpentry and worked on some amazing frames. The most interesting was on building I worked on with Ben which had a curved pitched roof like a segment of an amphitheatre which made for some complex geometry and carpentry.
I live near Stoke Gabriel with my wife Daisy and two little boys, Sollie and Casper. I like to spend time camping and being on the river with my family and friends. I also enjoy spending my out time looking for unusual birds and insects whilst out walking on the coast and moor.
Private: Nikki Roorda
Carpenter
Joined Carpenter Oak: 2017
Interview with Nikki Roorda
Favourite project you’ve worked on and why?
Raising a frame on the Isle of Skye! Stunning location, great team to work with, lovely people to work for, interesting nicknames on site, daily invasion of Scottish sheep at our accommodation, sweet local beers and plenty of rain to keep the midges at bay! Totally worth the lengthy road trip from down south up north and back.
When not in the yard, what do you enjoy doing?
Going for walks and swims in places that feel like nature, making things (and occasionally breaking them), growing greenness, poetry – and many other things that I rarely find time for.
Biography
Originally from the Netherlands, but gone in various directions in this world doing a variety of things over the past decade or so. A longstanding wish to develop woodworking skills started taking shape more and more a few years ago when I got involved in a furniture-making project with lovely people working on a big order for green ashwood lathback chairs in Wales. Then a short informal apprenticeship in timber framing using proper old school hand tools. I knew the crafty master from before, when working on a building site in Spain where we were renovating old pheasant farm houses and living the off-grid life in the beautiful rugged mountains of the Pyrenees. From there things really got going and now I am here at Carpenter Oak!
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.
