Question 1

Why should I choose Emerald Oak for my project?

Accepted Answer

If you want to work with a family run business with experts that can deliver bespoke oak frames on time & within budget then Emerald Oak is the right choice.
We live & breathe timber-framed buildings both big & small & we love a challenge. The timber frames we design & manufacture are unique & made to measure, with a personalised solution that matches your brief & budget. We can supply timber frame buildings anywhere on the island of Ireland.

Question 2

What is Emerald Oak?

Accepted Answer

Emerald Oak is an Oak framed company based in County Monaghan Ireland. We specialise in the design, manufacture & raising of oak timber framed buildings. 
We design using modern 3D design software packages and manufacture using traditional century old carpentry techniques. 
We love wood, we love design & we love a challenge.

Question 3

How are Emerald Oak Frames made?

Accepted Answer

At Emerald oak we use only handheld tools & power tools to cut & shape the timber. Our skilled carpenters select the most suitable grade of timber and hand-cut each individual joint. This hands-on manual approach allows us to create the beautiful curved pieces that you see in our frames.

Question 4

Is Oak a sustainable building material?

Accepted Answer

Yes! We source the oak from sustainably grown forests, where each tree that is cut down is replaced by many new saplings. Where possible we try to source our Oak within Ireland however due to limited supplies we do source from sawmills in Normandy, France where there is a plentiful supply of exceptionally well managed & very high-quality Oak. 
The Douglas fir & Larch that we use come from sustainable, managed Irish forests.

Question 5

What is green Oak?

Accepted Answer

Green oak is a term used to describe the unseasoned, freshly sawn oak which is used for timber framing. It is not a reference to the colour of the Oak, but rather to the fact that it was recently cut. Moisture content between 30-80%

Question 6

Why use green oak for Oak Frames?

Accepted Answer

Oak has always been used by timber framers in its ‘green’ state for a variety of very good reasons:
-It is far easier to cut & shape
- Seasoned beams deform significantly and develop splits, shakes & checks. This makes it more difficult & time consuming to mark out & frame accurately.
-Storing timber is very expensive & time consuming with the result that seasoned timber can be 2 to 5 times more expensive in price.
-Oak takes several years to being anywhere near dry. So large sections that we use would need to be air dried for many years before being considered as fully dried.

Question 7

What other materials are used for Timber Framing?

Accepted Answer

We prominently use Oak for the frames we make but also regularly use Douglas Fir & Larch. These 3 x timbers are used in timber framing due to their structural & durability characteristics and there is a reliable, consistent, high-quality supply of them.
Douglas fir & Larch are both common alternatives to Oak & both are high-quality timber framing materials. They still have checks & shakes but somewhat less than Oak and they retain their straightness even years down the line. This gives a cleaner appearance and tends to be used more for contemporary frames. When planned they give a cleaner appearance than oak.

Question 8

Do you have to treat Green Oak?

Accepted Answer

The short answer is no. The timber we use is classed as Highly Durable for any outside elements. This means treatment is not necessary as the timber is naturally resistant to insect attack & decay. Internal timbers do not require any treatment except for an occasional brushing down to prevent dust build-up.

Question 9

What happens as the timber dries out?

Accepted Answer

Oak frames will shrink (up to 10% across the width), split & bow, and display surface checks & distortion as it dries out. 
Oak will mellow slightly in colour over time and outside it will gradually go to a silver colour (if not treated with UV protection). These changes add to the beauty and character of the timber that forms the timber frame.

Question 10

What are checks & shakes?

Accepted Answer

Checks & shakes are natural fissures that appear on the surface of the oak frame as it dries out. Checks are very small and shakes much deeper but never extend deeper than the centre of the timber. They are nothing to be worried about and form part of the much-loved character of timber-framed buildings.

Question 11

Do you apply a finish to Oak Frames?

Accepted Answer

There are certain options for finishes that can be applied to a timber framed building, such as liming oils, stains, waxes & paints. In the majority of cases these finishes are applied at the decoration stage of the build process.

Question 12

How much does an Oak Frame cost?

Accepted Answer

The cost of an oak frame depends on a huge number of variables. The volume of timber, the quantity of joints, access to the site & intricacy of the frame design all have an impact on the price. It is always beneficial to discuss your budget with our team during the design stage as we can try to design the frame keeping the budget in mind.

Frequently asked questions