Before we started work on the balcony, the builders prepared the bases for the concrete staddle stones and posts. Galvanised brackets were built into the wall to receive the tie beams.
This meant there were no posts against the wall. The brackets had to be millimetre perfect for the balcony to fit. You can’t tell, but behind the apparent calm in the workshop, there is a lot of stress going on!
If you are worried about the balustrade (or lack of….) it’s going to be made of glass so as not to obstruct the beautiful southerly views of the Malvern hills. The balcony deck will be dropped into the 30mm rebate set down into the oak beams
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Most of the oak frames we build for new houses feature an internal frame wrapped by the insulated envelope, and clad in any combination of stone, brick, weatherboarding or render. Adding a porch, lean to, or balcony is a useful way of taking some of the structure “outside” for visual effect
Here’s an example of a glazed, open lean to which provides shelter, space and light
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A traditional porch was needed with a curved tie beam. A first floor window somewhat complicated things and the pitch of the roof had to be accurately calculated so as not to foul the window cill.
The frame sits on a dwarf masonry wall, with rebated glazing on one side and larch weatherboarding the other, topped off with oak common rafters.
Building a small frame can often be just as rewarding as producing a large one!
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Peter employed local architectural designer John Williams to come up with a concept for an outside balcony/decking area that would connect the living space to the outside, and at the same time, cover up a complete dog’s dinner of unsightly drains, gulleys, water tanks and pipework that had remained uncovered after the building works were finished.
Peter contacted Castle Ring Oak Frame to see if we could provide a green oak framed solution to fulfil the brief on this tricky sloping site strewn with awkward obstacles. John’s ideas formed the basis for the design, and after a careful survey we drew up the frame which was supported on ten posts, all of different lengths!
While the frame was being put together in the workshop, Peter’s groundworks team was commissioned to put in the concrete pads. 10” of snow which hung around for several weeks, and a real dose of winter slowed things right down but eventually raising day arrived. To everyone’s great relief (and especially Rob’s as it was he who had measured the concrete pads with a laser level) the frame fitted perfectly.
It took another couple of days to fit the stairs and complete the decking – we hope you’ll agree, it has transformed an unpromising area into a beautiful space with staggering views down the valley and over the pond.
“This beautiful oak deck was built by Rob and erected at a difficult site, in a day by his team, in the middle of some of the worst weather this winter. Rob interfaced directly with the ground works contractor, and as a result the whole thing went smoothly and it was a pleasure to work with him on the project. The end result is exactly what I wanted, and it has a wonderful solid feel about it. Now for the next oak-frame project!”
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He had some ideas and contacted us to talk things through over a site meeting.
Armed with a tape measure and a laser level, we carried out a site survey and came up with some ideas to combine a porch entrance with a glazed wallframe, connecting the existing house with a single storey garage to be converted to living accommodation.
The results are impressive!
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This particular balcony required a site survey to take into consideration windows, doors and walls, and so that we could come up with a bespoke design solution. Once the client had approved the drawings, we were able to order the oak and build the frame in double quick time ready for installation on site.
We fitted oak handrails, balustrade and decking along with a step down over the threshold onto the balcony
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We were therefore delighted when he turned to us again to help with another project, although this time on a much smaller scale. Could we build the oak porch for his parents’ new self build house in the heart of Snowdonia?
The resulting frame has a cantilevered gable, sits on a natural stone plinth and is deeply rebated to accept the joinery window units. Having been jointed in the workshop, it took longer to drive to the North West of Wales than it did to put the frame up!
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With this in mind, they commissioned us to design a bespoke frame that would hint at the oak frame inside the building, taking care not to impede the views with any unnecessary timber balustrading.
The frame was raised without problems in a day, leaving Nick and Mary to lay the decking boards and fit the stainless steel cable balustrade
“Rob and his team are highly skilled, conscientious and clean workers which is why we asked them to come back again after previously building our oak frame extension. This time it was to design and build a large balcony, as we have a spectacular view over the Black Mountains. Once again, a site visit to discuss the design elements of the balcony was followed by plans which seamlessly allowed a beautiful deck to be installed in, potentially, a tricky place. Rob’s joinery, as always, allows the wood to speak for itself with individually cut braces creating a truly bespoke design.
As before, Castle Ring Oak turned up on the day and carried out the work as promised within budget and to the highest standard. Rob has always been highly communicative throughout the process and a pleasure to deal with: we recommend him and his work without hesitation.”
– Mary & Nick
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If you're considering an oak framed building (or larch, or douglas fir), let's talk. We'll gladly put together an outline quote (completely free, with no strings attached). And we need very little information from you to do so.
Equally, we're always here, at the end of the phone, to talk through your ideas.
