Professional Custom Home Builders in Leominster

Although most of our frames are made from freshly sawn Oak we are keen to persuade people of the benefits of timber framing in either Larch or Douglas Fir. These locally grown softwoods have a durable heart wood that makes them suitable for structural frames. Douglas tends to grow straight whereas Larch can produce interesting curves. Using Larch or Douglas can provide a large overall cost saving on a frame as we buy it at roadside prices from a few miles away and mill it at Castle Ring.

The design stage can take anything up to two months depending on complexity, and a planning decision where required is usually given within 2 months of an application. Detailed drawings for building regulations approval may take a further month. Once you have given us the go ahead to begin the frame this can take from 2 weeks to 2 months in the workshop and a few days to erect.

For large frames we source oak from a saw mill in Brittany, France. The oak for smaller structures is supplied by a local Herefordshire mill and all our Larch and Douglas Fir is felled within a 10 mile radius of Castle Ring.

Larch and Douglas Fir weather boarding is stable, long lasting, affordable and sustainably grown. Oak feather edged boards can also be used although they tend to move more during the drying process. Both options will naturally weather to an attractive silvery grey within a couple of years.

Planning permission is not always required as some structures may be allowed under permissive development. However it is best to confirm this by contacting your local planning authority.