How we do it: Finishes
How we do it
- Design
- Timber
- Carpentry
- Installation
- Finishes
- Glazing
Oak Finishes
Oak can be provided with a band sawn or planed finish – either by hand or machine. If you choose a planed finish, we can also oil and even wax your frame before it leaves the yard.
For sawn finishes, many customers choose to have their frame cleaned to remove pencil and ink line marks and tannin stains. The most common way to clean a frame is by sandblasting it, which results in an even colour and texture. Sandblasting is done once the frame is in situ and fully enclosed and weathertight ideally before any glazing is fitted – the sandblasted frame must be protected by the weather to prevent further stains from developing from water ingress.
We can also provide oak frames that have been hand-hewn, from logs to beams by hand with axes. The hewing marks show each final smoothing cut of the axe which ripples along the beam surfaces.
If you would like to visit us, we would be happy to show you samples of different finishes. To give you an idea, here are some images – taken on the corner of a square sample, so that you can see the finish in both light and shade.
Common stains in wrot oak
This sample shows an iron stain (this is why you shouldn’t use iron nails in your finished
frame) and tannin staining. Tannin stains develop when the timber becomes wet and the
natural tannins wash onto the surface. Uncleaned frames may also have footprints and
other marks on them.
Sawn faces, sandblasted finish.
This sample shows a band sawn oak timber member that has been sand blasted clean.
This method removes all tannin stains and any ink line or pencil marks from the carpentry
work. It leaves and even colour and surface finish that shows the grain.
Oak that has weathered to silver
This sample shows some unfinished oak that has been silvered by sunlight.
This photograph is not black and white – weathered oak takes on a grey colour that can
look very dramatic against other finishes. On this piece you can just make out the subtle
saw marks on the shaded side of the sample.
Scrub planed and waxed oak
Scrub planing is done by hand and gives a smooth finish, while waxing gives a more gentle
sheen than that of oiled oak.
Planed and oiled oak
Oak that has been planed and oiled has a smooth texture and a lustrous sheen.
Douglas Fir Finishes
The Timber Frame Company have developed a cost-effective and market leading process for Douglas fir. Our sawmills gently kiln dry the wetter sap wood on a cooling cycle for a few days to a week or so, depending on the timber sections and kiln volume. This drying process is not aggressive, and helps to balance the moisture content between the dryer heartwood and wetter sapwood margins, reducing the affects of aggressive drying in the heated building. This process will halt any mould growth that wet sapwood sustains, and allows tighter tolerances between the frame members and adjoining building materials. with planing and oiling prior to delivery.
The benefits of this process include; vastly increased stability, minimized shrinkage, and the inhibition of otherwise common but structurally insignificant mould growth.
Like Oak, Douglas fir can be left with a band sawn finish, although this may require future maintenance. Many clients opt for a planed and painted finish, or planed and oiled which has a crisp and warm appearance.
Band sawn Douglas fir
This is unfinished Douglas fir has a rough finish and shows the saw marks.
Planed Douglas fir
Planing Douglas fir dramatically changes its appearance – making it much smoother and
bringing out the wood’s natural colours.
Planed and oiled Douglas fir
This is the finish chosen for the majority of our Douglas fir frames. It has a lovely warm and
smooth finish.
Painted Douglas fir
This sample has been planed and painted. Different effects can be achieved depending on
how many coats are used.
