Oak Beams and Sleepers

When it comes to wood, the word ‘Green’ means wet or freshly cut. Green oak beams are those cut straight from the log. Air-dried oak beams, as the name suggests, have been dried outside for period before sale. Dried oak beams will shrink less than green oak beams once installed.

Yes, we offer oak beams with a natural curve to make curved oak components, for traditional oak framing. Curved oak sections are stronger than curved pieces cut from straight trunks. Curves are usually supplied green, and can be cut bespoke.

Blue stain and tannin marks on oak can be removed with a dilution of Oxalic acid. Be very careful and use appropriate protective clothing and eyewear when using this product.

Yes, our oak beams are cut to size. We produce all beams in house, and have full control over the manufacturing process, ensuring consistent quality and accuracy as well as a quick turnaround when needed.

We do not provide installation services but we can recommend those that do.

Yes, we do offer delivery services. To find out more details, please see our delivery page.

Oak beams are approximately twice as expensive as softwood beams made from Douglas fir or larch.

Oak beams are commonly cut from oak logs grown in the UK, France or Germany. We source as much oak from English woodlands as possible and make up with oak from forests in France.

Blue stain on oak beams is the result of a reaction between the tannic acid that occurs naturally in oak and iron found in ferrous metals. Non- stainless steel nails and screws will cause blue stain, as will dust from cutting other metal near the oak. The blue stain can be removed using Oxalic acid. Use with care.

Oak beams can be graded for structural use. For large beams the top grade is THA and the lower grade is THB. For smaller beams with a cross sectional area of less than 20,000mm2 the top grade is TH1 and the lower grade is TH2.

Oak beams are normally supplied green or wet. As the surfaces dry and shrink, splits will develop. The resulting cracks can look worrying but they have no effect on the structural integrity of the beams.