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Design
Design
Taking part in designing your own oak framed building is a rewarding and unique experience, especially as the build progresses and your ideas become reality. At Phoenix we take a flexible approach to the planning and design process; our in-house designers are able to undertake a full design and build service if required, alternatively we can act as specialist contractors working in collaboration with architects, architectural designers, surveyors and structural engineers. However a project is set up our aim is always to assist the client to ensure their project reaches its full potential. We will generally consider any size of project from a small porch, through a new build house, to larger commercial buildings. We use Building Information Software, the most up to date type of Computer Aided Design, to produce 3D computer models. These models can be viewed from any external angle or internally with 'flythrough' views. Using the 3D model drawings are directly generated and automatically updated after any alterations. This ensures our drawings are of the highest quality and detail, so that your building can be crafted with the necessary precision. Complimentary to the design and production of drawings we are able to make full planning applications for you, including generating design & access statements, the procurement from associated consultants of protected species or archaeological surveys, etc. Our flexibility allows us to specialise in bespoke projects, so that whatever design the individual client has in mind, such as traditional or vernacular through to contemporary, we will work to achieve this. As well as the style and character great attention is paid to the practical layout of the building, especially how this will interact with the structural timber frame, predominantly this will be green oak but we do also work with other timbers such as douglas fir. Correct detailing is also used to minimise both the movement and shrinkage that will inevitably happen as the timbers dry out and season in position.
Framing
Framing
We construct these buildings using traditional jointing techniques, which have been tried and tested for centuries. We work from our purpose built workshop in Wiltshire where we lay out and joint the individual frames using very accurate techniques, collectively called English scribe rule. All of our carpenters have their own specialist toolkits that ensures accuracy and efficiency with these jointing techniques. Modern power tools are used to remove the initial waste material, with final adjustments made with with hand tools; as it would have been done traditionally. After jointing timbers are carefully numbered using traditional carpenter's marks, to identify the timbers after delivery to site. Generally these consist of roman numerals, however other designs are sometimes used, especially on circular work. Once all works are completed the timbers are carefully stacked to allow air circulation around them; this is the beginning of the seasoning process. Once delivered to site the erection of an oak frame usually only takes a matter of a few days. The foundations or supporting structure are surveyed to ensure a good fit is achieved. Sub-assemblies such as roof trusses or even whole roof bays are assembled ready to be lifted into place by the use of a mobile crane, which all of our team are trained as signallers/banksmen to direct safely. Hand shaped oak pegs are used to secure the majority of joints together, with additional stainless steel fixings used sparingly where required to comply with modern building regulations.Our team takes great collective pride in all aspects of our work and this attention to detail ensures the finished project is of the highest standard.
Finishing
Finishing
Hand scrub planing - This technique was used traditionally as the first stage of converting sawn timbers for fine quality work. During the medieval period many timbers were left with these undulating tooling marks, imparted by using a plane with a slightly curved blade utilised across the grain, for example on the rear of oak panelling. Used in a modern context to finish oak beams the subtle tooling marks provide a fine alternative to plain bandsawn or sandblasted timbers, especially when viewed under artificial light. Hand hewn timber with side axes may also appeal to some people for an even more traditional finish. Sandblasting - Arriving from the sawmills at our workshops the timbers are all bandsawn, which provides a regular and acceptable finish to the timbers. However due to the presence of natural tannins within the oak, that react with the steel of bandsaw blades & the forks of forklifts, some timbers will inevitably have some black staining caused by iron oxides as well as surface water staining. As an alternative to handfinishing sandblasting can be used to carefully clean all exposed surfaces of the oak frame.Decorative Features - We can provide mouldings or chamfers to specific structural timbers in the building to add that extra level of detail to a frame. We can also offer carving of timbers such as symbols or lettering to enhance a particular area or member.Glazing - Glazing provides a contemporary finish to areas of a building providing a light and spacious environment. We use a direct glazed system, which sandwiches the glazing units to the outside of the oak frame; this allows the frame to move, as it seasons, while the glass panes effectively float on the surface cushioned with waterproof foam glazing tapes.Structurally Insulated Panels (SIPs) - These provide a modern solution to insulation and structural strength whilst being lightweight and fast to erect. We can fit these to the exterior walls and roof of the frame to provide a sound fixing for any cladding or roof covering required. These are particularly good for forming an airtight seal on the building and meeting building regulations on levels of insulation.Conventional Softwood Panels - These provide a slightly more flexible approach than SIPS as the studwork can be combined with the insulation material of your choosing, whether it be natural wool, woodfibre, mineral wool or rigid foam boarding. Whichever type of insulation you decide upon the most important thing is to include enough to minimise future fuel bills. Cladding - Our preferred method of cladding is to use oak weatherboarding as we have found this to be the most resistant to weather providing longevity. On occasion we do use larch as an alternative timber, which while not having the longevity of oak does also perform well. 1st and 2nd Fix Carpentry - We are experienced in all aspects of carpentry from cut roofs to making bespoke kitchens and doors so we would be happy to advise or assist you on any other parts of your project you may need help with.
Design
Framing
Finishing
Case Studies
Donhead
Donhead St. Andrew, Wiltshire
This large two storey extension was commissioned by our clients to replace an earlier 1970's extension. Phoenix were instructed to detail the oak frame in collaboration with the project architect. The resultant frame was jointed in our workshop, with over a quarter of the timbers used sawn from a single large oak tree that was felled to make way for the extension. Phoenix were also responsible for finishing the oak frame, including all glazing, to leave the client with a completed exterior shell. Some elements of the internal finishing were also undertaken, notably the design & installation of a contemporary oak block staircase suspended on stainless steel wires.
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Ashmore
Ashmore, Wiltshire
Our client was fortunate to own an extensive woodland surrounding this property that provided all of the timbers used during the construction. Phoenix were commissioned to detail and frame the oak frame for this tower structure that was elevated to allow our clients to enjoy the far-reaching views over the top of the surrounding woodland. Carefully hand-picked curved oak trees were converted by hewing to supply the cruck blades for the proposed design, while small diameter ash trees were selected, felled and peeled to provide the ash pole rafters. To the top side of the rafters were applied sycamore sarking boards, converted from a tree that had grown too large immediately adjacent to the existing property. The exterior walls consisted of SIPs clad externally with western red cedar boarding.
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Wickham
Wickham, Hampshire
This substantial late Arts & Crafts style house had previously been poorly extended to incorporate the garage thereby forming a granny annexe. This arrangement was failing to provide the required accomodation and was compromising the main property. Phoenix were commissioned to design a replacement structure of increased size and quality. The proposed design aimed to provide clear separation between the original masonry house and the oak framed annexe, both in terms of appearance and physical separation; the idea being the annexe should be very much ancillary but complementary to the main dwelling. The extensive use of glazing to both walls of the connecting room reinforced this while allowing visitors approaching the front of the property to catch glimpses of the beautifully laid out extensive gardens to the rear.
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Bradford on Avon
Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire
This building forms part of the C14 medieval Barton Grange Farm site and is a Scheduled Ancient Monument. The original roof was destroyed by fire in the 1960's, Dendrochronology of the remaining timbers embedded in the masonry walls dated the building to 1190. Subsequent archaeological investigation has proved the building to be the adapted remains of one of the cross porches from an earlier tithe barn. This therefore predates the remaining tithe barn. Bradford on Avon Preservation Trust funded the repairs to the original masonry and the framing of a new oak roof and glazed screen to protect this original masonry, forming a visitor centre for the site. Phoenix were awarded the English Heritage funded contract by tender for framing of the oak framed roof.
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Brewham
Brewham, Somerset
Phoenix were approached to design and build a farmyard group of buildings consisting of an open fronted woodshed, stables and the refurbishment of an inappropriately converted cow byre. All the proposed designs utilised oak framing with sawn oak weatherboarding to the exterior beneath hand made clay tile roofs. Blacksmith made hinges and bolts were detailed and procured to complement the oak boarded exterior doors. To allow access to the loft storage area the staircase was constructed using solid triangular oak blocks.
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Deverills
Deverills, Wiltshire
This garden room was commissioned to directly replace an existing uPVC conservatory that was inevitably failing to perform satisfactorily for our clients. Phoenix were approached to resolve the issues of over/under heating and our proposals consisted of replacing the glazed roof with a fully insulated zinc standing seam roof. This allowed the use of a shallow roof pitch that avoided having to disturb the eaves line of the existing building. The oak framed walls were driect glazed with soft coat argon filled double glazed units that doubled the performance compared with the previous glazing.
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Donhead
Ashmore
Wickham
Bradford on Avon
Brewham
Deverills
About
ABOUT US
Established over twenty years ago by partners Phil Bonney and Andy Ryalls we are a well established Wiltshire based company that specialises in the building and repairing of traditionally framed timber buildings. We take particular pride in the high quality of our teams workmanship and the bespoke nature of the projects we work on. On the design side we are able to offer full 3D modelling with the latest Computer Aided Design, generating working frame drawings, along with drawings suitable for planning applications or building regulation submission. With regard to the build process we will take on as much involvement as the client requests, from cutting, framing and erecting the oak frame, through all aspects of carpentry such as roofing, joinery installation and internal finishing to fully project managing the whole build process. The members of our highly skilled team have a broad range of carpentry experience and expertise; much of this has been gained from observing the jointing techniques originally used to produce the historic oak frames we have been asked to repair. Using these time proven techniques to frame new oak framed structures, within our large purpose built workshop, allows us to produce frames of the highest quality.
Gallery
Houses
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Conservation
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Finishing
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Houses
Outbuildings
Frames
Conservation
Finishing
Workshop
Contact Us
Contact Us
Phoenix Oak FramingThe BarnEast Clyffe FarmSteeple LangfordSalisburySP3 4LZT: 01722 790099E: mail_timberframing.co.uk
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