Understanding the Different Oak Frame Types & How to Choose Yours
The frame is the backbone of your oak building. Its style and shape will influence everything from the ceiling height and usable floor space to how well the structure fits your site. The right design can open up the interior, make room for a first floor, or help you meet height restrictions without compromising on character.
Every oak frame we craft at English Heritage Buildings is made to order and crafted for the individual project. With this guide, we’ll introduce you to the most commonly used frame types in our projects, their key features, and the benefits for your structure. If you’re in need of more advice, our expert team will also be happy to discuss the goals and vision for your oak-framed building project in more detail.
What is an Oak Building Frame?
When we talk about frame types, we’re referring to the structural shape of your oak building, including the layout of posts, beams, and roof supports, which ultimately hold the building together. This core structure plays a major role in how your finished building will look and feel.
The frame you select can affect roof pitch (the steepness of the roof), ceiling height, available upstairs space, and how easily your building meets planning rules – especially where height is limited. Some oak frame designs allow for more open interiors, while others are better suited to buildings with storage or a first floor.
Choosing the right frame is about balancing how you want the space to work, with how you want it to look.
Our Oak Frame Options
While every oak frame we design is tailored to the project, most fall into one of the structural types below. Each frame layout has practical implications for the internal space, headroom, and the overall height of the building, all of which can influence how your oak structure functions and how it fits your site.
Use this overview to explore the main frame options and how they might suit your oak frame building plan. We’ve also included information on the maximum main span possible, where relevant.
Main Span
This is a simple frame with the same height at the front as at the rear. It’s clean, symmetrical, and ideal for single-storey buildings and open-plan spaces.
Maximum main span: We will normally go up to a maximum main span of 8m, and any main span over 6m will need a truss roof construction.
Main Span With Rear Aisle
This version of the Main Span frame adds an aisle at the back, allowing for greater internal depth while keeping the ridge height lower. It’s useful if you want more floor space without increasing the building’s overall height, such as in areas with planning limits.
Maximum main span: We will normally go up to a maximum main span of 8m, and any main span over 6m will need a truss roof construction.
Aisled Barn
A central main frame with higher eaves and aisles on both sides to expand the internal footprint. This frame type is ideal for larger or multi-use buildings where you want more usable space across the ground floor.
Maximum main span: We will normally go up to a maximum main span of 8m, and any main span over 6m will need a truss roof construction.
Main Span With First Floor (With Central Post)
This adds a first floor to the main span design, supported by a central post beneath the tie beam to take the load off the upstairs floor. It provides an upstairs space without increasing beam sizes, making a practical layout for storage, offices, or hobby rooms.
Maximum main span: We will normally go up to a maximum main span of 8m.
Main Span With First Floor (Without Central Post)
This is an open ground-floor layout with a first floor above, supported by larger tie beams and posts, and dispensing with the central post. This keeps the floor below completely open, making it ideal for workshops or garages with vehicle access, but reduces height in the upper room owing to the bigger tie beam required. Post sizes will also need to be increased to help bear the additional weight.
Maximum main span: The maximum main span for this frame type is roughly 6.4m.
Raised Plate (With Central Post)
This oak frame design lifts the wall plate higher than in a standard main space, creating a little extra usable space in the roof. In this configuration, a central post under the tie beam takes the weight off the floor.
Maximum main span: We will normally go up to a maximum main span of 8m.
Raised Plate (Without Central Post)
This version of the Raised Plate oak frame creates the same additional space in the roof, but without a central post under the tie beam. The frame is good for buildings where roof space is important.
Maximum main span: The maximum main span for this frame type is roughly 6.4m.
Sling Brace
This frame style provides a 1 ½ storey building with distinctive angled sling braces that carry structural loads through the upper floor, incorporated into the upstairs space. It’s useful where a full second storey isn’t needed, but some extra room is appreciated.
A Sling Brace frame is not ideal for ‘L’ or ‘T’ shaped buildings, as there will be eaves beams at waist height.
Maximum main span: The maximum main span of this design is roughly 6.4m.
Two Storey
This is a standard two-storey oak frame, with separate structural floors. It’s a straightforward option if you require two complete floors of space; for example, for living areas, annexes, or conversions.
Lean-To
This structure uses an existing wall to support one side of the roof, creating a sloping design that pitches away from the main building. It’s a compact, cost-effective way to add extra space to an existing structure.
Monopitch
This is a free-standing, self-supporting version of the lean-to. A monopitch frame is great for low-profile buildings where simplicity and the ability to self-support are key.
Flat Roof
This is a standard level-roofed design that works well where height restrictions are in place. The flat roof frame is often chosen for garages or outbuildings in sensitive planning areas. Glazed roof lanterns are typically added for natural light.
Pitched Roof With Flat Top
This frame combines a pitched roof with a flat roof section at the top. It can be used if you have low height restrictions or you wish to keep a view from an existing upstairs window. It’s often used with glazed roof lanterns to provide light inside.
Matching the Right Oak Frame to Your Needs
Choosing the right oak frame structure for your project begins with an understanding of how you plan to use the space. No less important is where the building will go and what kind of internal layout you have in mind.
Early decisions around the structure can influence everything from how spacious it feels inside to how smoothly it passes through planning applications. Here are some key questions to think about:
- Do I need a first floor?
Some frame types make better use of upstairs than others, particularly if you need full headroom or stairs. - Will the space be used for storage, living, or working?
Different layouts suit different uses. A clear-span workshop might need an open ground floor, while a home office could benefit from a split-level design. - Are there height restrictions on your land?
Options like rear aisles, flat roofs, or raised plats can help you gain more usable space while staying within planning limits. - Will the building be free-standing or attached to an existing structure?
Lean-to and monopitch frames are often used when tying into another structure, while main spans and barns work well as standalone designs.
Whatever your requirements, our team will recommend the right frame type to suit the function, proportions, and aesthetic you’re aiming to achieve, while ensuring your building’s structural integrity.
Talk to Experts About Your Oak Frame Building
You don’t have to make these decisions alone. If you’re unsure which frame type is right for your vision, we’re here to help. Our team can guide you through the different options, explain what’s possible on your site, and recommend the best approach for your goals.
Get in touch for a no-obligation discussion or to request a tailored quote, and we’ll be happy to help you take the next step.
