Oak-framed Buildings is a practical and inspiring guide to their design and construction, written by expert craftsman Rupert Newman.

Oak-framed buildings have been with us for centuries and they are here to stay. They are beautiful, durable and environmentally friendly, and by marrying traditional and modern materials they can be brought to a very high standard of energy-efficiency. This is a practical book on the technique of timber-frame construction for carpenters, builders and aspiring self-builders, but it will also be a source of inspiration to anyone who appreciates beautiful buildings. Full-colour photographs show projects by the author and others both complete and under construction, and structural details are clearly explained both in photographs and in three-dimensional drawings. Here is a traditional craft brought fully up to date for the 21st century. Topics covered include: past and present, making a start, understanding the structure, frame design, the construction process, raising the frame, walls and roofs, second fix, finishing off, and future of timber building.

• Revised and updated edition
• A comprehensive and practical handbook for experienced carpenters and an inspirational and informative guide for anyone interested in owning their own oak-framed building
• Covers all stages of construction, from coming up with a budget and choosing land, through designing, making and raising a frame to adding the roof, walls and floors and finishing off
• Features colour photographs, illustrations and three-dimensional drawings throughout

Nearly 200 well-laid-out pages, clearly-written text,  finely-drawn diagrams and great photographs; at just shy of £25, it’s worth every penny. But does the author manage to be  inspirational? Let’s put it like this: if I were a young man, I’d build myself a summerhouse using this book, send photos of it to the author with a note saying, ‘Please Mr Newman, give me a job’.

Rupert Newman has been actively involved in carpentry since the age of 12. Having completed a degree in naval architecture, he began work as a carpenter and shipwright, but soon came to realise his true passion was building house frames, roofs and other large structures. He founded Westwind Oak Buildings in the late 1980s, a company that specialises in building modern structures with green oak in the traditional way. Rupert is the chairman of the Oak Frame Training Forum and vice chairman of the Carpenters Fellowship, and was integral in establishing the NVQ in Structural Post & Beam Carpentry. Rupert’s infectious enthusiasm for his subject makes this book the ideal guide to the world of oak-framed buildings. His fascination with the techniques involved in constructing an oak frame, and his obvious love of the buildings themselves, bring the history, processes and buildings to life. He is based near Bristol, UK.