This is the question we do get asked occasionally so lets discuss it..
Green oak is oak that is freshly sawn, not given time to season, (dry out) before being worked. We use this because it is cheaper, kinder on the tools and generally the quality is better.
Why is it better?
Well think of it from the point of view of the sawmill. They are a business. In order to produce seasoned timber by air drying, they will have to cut and store a large volume of timber in the hopes that 5+ years down the line, someone will want to buy it. You would not cut and store your best logs for this.
What makes oak durable?
Green oak is also full of tannin (Tannic Acid). Tannic Acid is a natural antioxidant. It is a preservative that protects against decay and insect infestation. It does leach out of the timber when wet and can stain surfaces temporarily but if you enjoy your timber in a silver grey hue and don’t like painting then you will love oak! Similarly, we use larch for our feather edged cladding on garages and outbuildings because Larch is a native, UK species and is naturally durable too. It will also weather to a silver grey colour like the oak, when exposed to UV light, so, in time, you would not see any visual difference between them.
So we’ve established the durability of oak now why would you want to treat it?
The simple answer is aesthetics. Some people don’t like the silver grey colour. The answer is to block the UV light getting to the timber. You need to use a product that allows the wood to “breathe” not something like a varnish but a UV blocking oil that you will need to keep applying over the years to the frequency recommended by the manufacturer.
I’ve let my oak frame weather to a silver grey colour and I don’t like it, what can I do?
If you’ve decided you want a more fresh sawn oak colour then it is possible to get it. You need to do a bit of sanding by removing the upper layer to expose the natural colour again and this can then be oiled. It’s a bit of work but achievable.
A working example of a customer that decided to do it is below:
For more information about creating an extension or outbuilding and the material options available, please speak to one of the team. 01666 822234 or email info@madeinoak.com
