Oak Barns

English Oak Barns, Garages, Outbuildings. Timeless....
Thank you for your interest, we hope that the following pages will provide useful information on the fascinating and versatile craft of a traditional timber frame building. We specialise in traditional oak timber frame buildings and oak outbuildings. We use oak timber to create our buildings and in particular English oak, most of which comes from the New Forest. The reason being we find that English oak is not only strong and durable but is also aesthetically pleasing. Part of the allure of this construction method is the different jointing techniques on display, which are held in place with handmade English oak pegs. Its quirkiness, beauty and honesty in construction make it like cabinet making on a grand scale and its versatility in design ensures every timber frame building is unique. Each Foundation Buildings South (F.B.S) craftsman takes great pride in their work and standards are of the very highest. The following pages will outline our services and show photographic examples of previous oak timber frame buildings and other timber frame structures. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions and you are always welcome to visit our workshop. You can often see one of our oak timber frame building's under construction somewhere in the south of England or visit our other website for building and construction work Foundation Building (South) Ltd
Oak Timber Frame
The English oak we use comes from the New Forest here in Hampshire. We work carefully assessing each piece of timber for its suitability and place it selectively to remain for many years to come. We work by eye using our own judgement, positioning the curve of a beam as appropriate according to design and shape, asssembling each timber frame carefully and checking dimensions periodically. Framing times can vary between two to eight weeks depending on the design. Before going to site each timber frame is assembled in our workshop, which serves as a great opportunity to come and visit and check the progress. The timber frame is then delivered to site for erection, which usually takes 2 -3 days. Working in this manner reduces the amount of time spent on site and therefore minimises disturbance as much as possible. It can take as little as 4-5 weeks to erect, clad and watertight the structure.
We work with green, unseasoned, oak which has a high moisture content and a subsquent drying out process. One of the advantages is that when jointed, assembled and pegged, the drying out of the timbers secure the structure further over a period of time. Relatively small cracks and splits and some movement may develop over this period. This is one of the qualities of using green oak as it provides the building with a homely feeling from the beginning.
Prices
Prices range from £25-£105/ft2 for more complicated timber frame houses. These are based on freestanding self-supporting structures for the lower price range, right upto the full specifacation builds. For restricted budgets elements such as single timber frame can be easily incorporated into an existing structure utilising the gables to house purlins and ridge beams thus creating the feeling of a large timber frame house structure at a very reasonable price. The use of softwoods such as Douglas Fir and Larch can also reduce the cost by 5 - 10%. We are currently offering Price Promise for all new customers - if you have drawings or work that has already been priced we will guarantee to match and possibly better it! Read below for more...
Price Promise We guarantee to match, if not even better, any like for like price. We are fully insured and a Trading Standards and Hampshire County Council Approved Contractor. Buy With Confidence / Trading Standards approved contractor.
We offer top quality workmanship, have an abundance of satisfied customers, and are happy to provide a list of previous customers and recommendations. Additionally, we are Check-a-Trade approved with up-to-the-minute references.
WHY CHOOSE "OAK BARNS HAMPSHIRE"(Foundation Building South Ltd) ?
Established in 1981, we have a wealth of experience in all areas of a project, from planning through to construction. Foundation Building (South) Ltd offer a complete service, taking care of everything from first plans to final finishing touches. This fully comprehensive service is backed by over 28 years experience. Everything, including our quality joinery, is manufactured at our workshop in Hampshire by our team of specialist craftsmen. Furthermore, on-site erection is carried out by our own dedicated, committed and very experienced team, including the roofing, and can be completed in a matter of days. Due to our construction links we can undertake the complete build process, including foundations unlike many alternate contractors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I need planning permission?
We advise that written clearance or planning permission is obtained from your local Planning Authority at the earliest stage of your project. While many of our buildings meet the planning requirements for development without permission, experience shows that permission is often required due to unique site circumstances such as being in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, in a Conservation Area, Area of Scientific Interest or alongside a Listed Building. It is also dependant on the size of the building and the proposed location. For example if the proposed building is to have a ridge height of above or below 4 metres and is closer to the front boundary than the main dwelling. With all that in mind we will guide you all the way and liaise with the local authorities for you to ascertain any special needs or requirments.
What about Project Managment?
We prefer to take care of everything from the groundworks through to the electrics, water and roofing finishes. Managing the project this way ensures the job is completed to our high standards, on time and budget.
Do you prepare the oak then make the barn on site?
The oak is cut to size at our workshop. The timber is then delivered to site and the frame erected after any groundworks and base work are complete. This prosess can take as little as a week
What about Services?
We can advise and install electrics and water, we even test the electrics and provide you with a fully approved Electrical Certificate upon completion. All our tradesmen are fully trained and approved in their choosen trade
Can I add an upper floor to my building?
The timbers used in our buildings can usually support an upper floor with some minor additions and amendments. Some of our customers have found this useful to add storage space to garages and stables, or to create a self-contained office facility away from the main house.
Can a green oak timber frame be used for all types of building?
Green oak timber frame can be used in huge range of buildings from houses and garages to bridges and pagodas, from extensions and roofs to swimming pools and offices or oak barns.
How long does it take to get my timber frame?
There are a few general factors that will affect the timescale of your timber frame project. Planning issues and architectural/ structural design work in all forms are obviously the main factors before any construction can take place. The time these items take to resolve varies enormously, but is generally dependant on the suitability of the site to the build and the complexity of the design and of course the great British weather. First we will order the timber, which will take approximately two weeks. On the arrival of the timber we can then start fabricating the frame in our workshop. The fabrication time is dependant on; how large the frame is, how complex the design and how many joints there are in the frame. The frame is then ready to raised on site by our team.

Making an enquiry
To make an enquiry regarding your proposed project or ther services we offer, contact us via our form on the contact page or by phone on 023 8060 2080.
Foundation Buiding (South) Ltd
2 Ascot Road, Horton Heath, Eastleigh
Hampshire SO50 7JQ
Company Number 744 8891 82
VAT Number 6186730