Building an extension in oak is an amazing opportunity to give instant character to a new space, while providing endless elegance to home that need extra space or those that lack in charm.
Suited for all types and styles of homes including period properties that need a sympathetic touch and more modern homes looking for an injection of craftsmanship and attention to detail. Plus,oak frameis inherently sustainable, making it one of the most sought-after building materials at the moment.
Scroll down to get inspired by innovative ideas, amazing designs and amazing build solutions from real life projects.
If the stunning extensions below get your creative juices flow, take the next step in your journey to find out how much this type of project costs and how to add to an existing home with our comprehensive guide tooak frame extensions.
Looking to build using oak frame?Get a tailored quote here(opens in new tab).
1. Style an Oak Frame Interior with Modern Ideas
While oak frame undoubtedly provides a characterful glimpse into the past, building an oak frame extension with a contemporary interior works incredibly well.
Here, a traditional shaker-style kitchen is modernised with statement pendant lights that draw the eye up to the exposed trusses and the open-plan connection to the extension house taps into modern family living effortlessly.
2. Add an Oak Sunroom Extension to an Existing House
Oak frame sunrooms are amazing for letting in extra light and providing a stunning spot to relax and read a book in the sun.
Take a look at our guide onadding a sunroomto learn what you need to consider in terms of planning, costs and design.
3. Make a Wish-list for an Oak Extension
The design of your oak frame extension will hugely depend on how you will utilise the new space. Sitting down and creating a wish-list of features or an outline of what you want to achieve will go a long way in creating a greatdesign briefso your architect or supplier can make the most of the extension.
The homeowner of this two-storey extension wanted a large master bedroom with views out across the countryside plot, while still in keeping with the cottage's period style.
4. Choose How Much Oak to Leave Exposed
When building an extension in oak, one element that will hugely impact the interiors is how much of the frame you choose to leave exposed. Generally, for a more modern look highlighting vaulted ceilings with the trusses showing but covering supporting posts is a great choice, while a more traditional style might leave the whole frame on display.
How much oak is left exposed will also have an impact on finances, so take care when deciding and factor this into your build costs.
(MORE:How Much Does an Extension Cost?)
5. Add an Two-storey Oak Extension for Real Wow-factor
A once-dated bungalow has been transformed with a two-storey extension supplied byOakwrights(opens in new tab). Extensive glazing cleverly modernises the exterior while delicate stone cladding make it look like it has always stood there.
6. Design a Sympathetic Extension to a Period House
Oak frame structures are often chosen to match existing period homes, timelessly adding to their existing charm, but attention to detail is absolutely key. Take time to match materials, architectural forms and historic quirks.
By choosing an oak frame structure, the homeowners of this Grade I-listed 16-century cottage were able to double the size of their property in a sustainable and natural way.
31 tonnes of oak supplied byLiving Oak(opens in new tab)were used, while efforts to tie in the new addition with the existing house – by using a similar roof tile and brick stain – make this project undoubtedly special.
7. Connect to an Existing House with a Glazed Link
ThisBorder Oak(opens in new tab)garden room has been connected to the main house with a glazed link. This adds a contemporary finish and extra natural light, while not disturbing the original house's structure too much.
8. Show off and Create Character
The original sections of this 17-century home were painstakingly restored while a contemporary full-glazed oak extension was added to allow as much of the original house to show through as possible.
9. Matching an Oak Extension to a Semi-detached House
While it might not seem to be a natural fit, adding an oak extension to a semi-detached house is absolutely possible. Inter- and post-war houses are often lacking in any identifiable charm so introducing a new timber section is an inspired choice.
This largekitchen extensionwas framed with oak, providing extra living space as well as some much sought-after character for this style of home.
10. Mix Traditional Exterior Styles with Contemporary Interiors
Planning permissionmay dictate what the outside of an extension looks like, but you can be completely in control of the interiors to suit your own lifestyle.
For example. this two-storey oak extension was clad to match other traditional Lake District homes, including it's perpendicular farmhouse. The result is an extension which looks as if it has always stood there, but the open-plan interiors give away it's contemporary roots (show below).
(MORE:Open Plan Living)
11. Pair a Brick Cottage with an Oak Frame
Clad in weatherboarding, this oak-framed extension byWestwind Oak(opens in new tab)features large double-height glazed doors reminiscent of a converted barn opening in order to sit naturally alongside the established farmhouse-style building.
12. Single-storey Oak Frame Sunrooms Inject an Abundance of Character
Oakwrights’ GreenRoom designs are an effortless blend between contemporary and traditional styles. With a tiled roof and copious amounts of glazing, adding a sunroom creates a space which is naturally bright without the seasonal limitations of conservatories.
(MORE:Sunroom Ideas)
13. Show Off the Wow-factor Elements of Oak Frame
Vaulted ceilingsare a wonderful feature in oak frame extension design, as this large addition proves. The large timber spans have been left exposed to really make an impact when contrasted to the other low-ceilings of the existing cottage.
The timeless appearance of oak is also beautifully paired with the modern pendant lights.
14. Extend in Oak During a Barn Conversion
During the conversion two timber-framed barns, one had to be demolished over many weeks with each piece of timer logged and transported to Border Oak’s workshop. Some of the original timbers were salvageable and could be incorporated into the new frame which was then linked to the other using a glazed break.
Contemporary styling inside also beautifully highlights the character and charm of both buildings.
(MORE:Barn Conversion Ideas)
15. Open an Older Home to the Garden
As beautiful as they may be, older homes are frequently plagued by warren-like layouts and small windows, so adding a complimentary oak framed structure with plenty of glazing can often be a sympathetic yet modern solution.
ThisPrime Oak(opens in new tab)extension includes an awe-inspiring glazed gable while french doors to the side elevation lead to the outdoor spaces.
16. Create a Three-storey Oak Extension
When demolishing an 18th-century 'wing' to this Grade II-listed property which had become structurally unsound, Oakwrights design and built this magnificent three-storey extension.
17. Oak is a Natural Addition to a Traditional Cottage
During an extensive renovation, this once run-down cottage was transformed with a single-storey side extension – designed byWelsh Oak Frame(opens in new tab)– to house a living and dining area (below) without detracting from the existing structure’s inherent character.
