Oak beams would have some cracking tales to tell if only walls would talk. They’ve been supporting British buildings, even before the Normans popped over for a visit, although in the largely vernacular buildings to which they have been applied, such timbers have rarely been referred to as standing timbers.

From cosy country pubs to grand manor houses, our homes have safely had oak beams quietly doing their job for centuries providing rustic charm and a solid dependable source of solidity. For this we drink to these amazing pieces of British architecture and the world of the oak beam.

Why Oak? It’s not just because it rhymes with bloke

Now we come to the trivia of the British habit of lashing great big chunks of oak across our ceilings. It’s not because we find them cute, or hard to hide (though we do). Since then, you might be forgiven for thinking that all you need to get an oak beam is to cut it out of a tree and position it against your ceiling. If only it were that easy! Fine oak beams are like a fine whisky – they need time. To harvest for beams it takes the trees at least 150 years. That’s longer than it takes most of us to decide what to watch on Netflix.

When the oak is felled, it must be seasoned. This isn’t about sprinkling salt and pepper on it – it’s the process of drying the wood out slowly to prevent warping and cracking. Good oak beams take years. That’s why a round at the pub costs more.

Old vs New: The Great Oak Debate

There’s a bit of tussle that goes on between the old guard and the new kids on the block in the world of oak beams. Vintage wines of the timber world are reclaimed oak beams. They all have character, they all have history, often battle scars to show for it. These beams have smelled things, these beams have been places. They might have been of a mediaeval barn or a Tudor warship. Using them in your home is like adopting a piece of history.

New Oak: Ready for Some Action Fresh Faced

Meanwhile, new oak beams are young graduates eager and poised to make a name for themselves. They might have no tales to tell like their older cousins, but they are strong, reliable, and can be cut to fit the exact space you’re asking for.

Caring for Your Beams: It’s Not Rocket Science

Once you have your oak beams installed, then you’ll have a lot easier time taking care of them, than you will trying to keep a cactus alive.

Let Them Breathe

Oak beams need to breath, as do all of us, after climbing a flight of stairs. Don’t be crazy; don’t paint them or seal them up, let that natural beauty shine through.

Cracks: Don’t Panic!

And if you notice a crack in your oak beam, don’t have a conniption. Cracks are expected and help to give the character. In some ways, it’s like wrinkles on a face: a sign of a life well lived.

Beyond the Ceiling: Oak Beams Branching Out

You know, it’s not just to hold your roof up. But these versatile chunks of timber are going to branch out (pun so intended).

An oak beam above a fireplace can make a boring old chimney breast into a proper focal point. It is like putting a fancy hat to your living room.

Even oak beams are heading out to the patio. Bamboo for example is perfect for pergolas, garden rooms, even for fancy compost bins – oak adds a touch of class to your outside space.