Articles: What to expect from Air Dried Oak

Air dried Oak is a structural timber which is supplied after being cut from the log and left to dry for 1-3 years. The beam will have splits on the surface of the timber which appear as the timber moves as moisture enters and leaves the wood. It’s important to remember that these don’t impact the structural integrity of the timber and even green oak will split over time.

The colour of the timber will also be different from green oak because each oak beam will have started to weather black. After being left outside all timber will turn silvery grey over time and that process will have already started by the time you get your Oak.

We provide Air Dried in standard sections of:

• 100 x 100mm
• 120 x 120mm
• 150 x 150mm
• 180 x 180mm
• 200 x 200mm
• 250 x 250mm

If you would like your beams sawn or planed down to size fresh sawn faces may be revealed rather than the air dried finish you might be looking for.

The Air Dried Oak Beams are supplied overlength for you to cut down on site. Online we provide lengths up to 7m however if you need longer lengths then please give us a call on 01889 597 281 and we will see if we can source your requirements.

What can Air Dried Beams be used for?

Air Dried beams are ideal for structural use such as purlins, ridge beams, wall plates and sill plates. The advantage of the timber is the minimal movement and change in appearance as the ageing process of the oak has already started. Due to the timber already starting to dry out there will be less movement in the wood than with a piece of green Oak.

As specialist Oak suppliers we can also provide trusses in air dried oak, these are supplied in flat pack form and are assembled on site. Our Oak Trusses page is complete with a designer which allows you to design the truss you need and gives you a 3D representation of what it will look like.

Please note however that all trusses must be signed off by a structural engineer before they made. If you don’t know a structural engineer, please ask, and we can put you in touch with someone we have worked with in the past.