Size Guide
We craft our reclaimed arched oak beams from the most rustic oak we can source, carefully selected for its reclaimed characteristics. Large cracks and open knots are some of the beautiful, features look for.
With a rustic and time worn appearance, our arched reclaimed oak beam is sure to add heaps of character to your fireplace.
The arch on your oak beam starts approximately 6″ in from the ends and reaches approximately 1.5″ at its centre. Our Arched oak beam looks particularly impressive when fitted above an original arched brick fireplace.
What you need to know.
SUSTAINABILITY
We always use oak sourced from sustainably managed forests who are FSC or PEFC certified. We also plant 1 tree for every £50 spent with us. For our oak beams, this equates to planting on average 120 trees for every 1 used.
GRADING
We only use QP1 and QPA grade structural oak beams which means the angle at which the grain runs is limited, avoiding cracks to run off too severely and weakening the structure. This is equivalent to D24 or higher Construction grade.
CRACKS & MOVEMENT
Our oak beams are well air dried ensuring minimal movement once installed in your home. Read more on The importance of air dried oak. Oak beams vary in regards to cracks and splits. Cracks are a good indication of a dry beam and are part of the stunning unique features a natural oak beam has to offer. Once installed, your oak beam will start to acclimatise to room temperature. During this time cracks may change slightly, this is completely normal and will not affect the structural integrity of the beam. To minimise movement we recommend leaving your beam to acclimatise for 2 weeks prior to fitting. Once installed, gradually increase the heat of your stove over a few weeks.
OTHER DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
Oak is a natural product, therefore knots, colour, grain pattern and other distinguishing features can vary. Some beams may have small areas of pin holing further adding to the rustic effect, we treat these beams with an anti-infestation solution.
SIZE TOLERANCE
Beam sizes are approximate to +/- 5mm. If you need a length smaller than a standard size please order the next length up and leave a note in checkout to cut it down. Please note, this will make the item non-returnable. Need something more bespoke? Get in touch for a quote.
COMBUSTIBLE MATERIAL
Oak Beams are a combustible material and should be positioned a safe distance away from heat sources in line with building and HETAS regulations. Installing a beam too close to a heat source may cause excessive cracking and be unsafe. Read more on How far above a wood burning stove can you install an oak beam.
Please note none of the above can be treated as defects.
Check out our installation guides below… Please note, all installations are different and we can only offer a general guide.
7.5″x5.5″ beams do not come with fixings.
Please Note:
We cannot take any responsibility for any incorrect installations or damage caused during the installation process. Returns are not accepted for items that have been installed.
Everything we manufacturer is professionally finished in-house using only the finest products. We achieve this fantastic range with wood stains which penetrate deep into the wood followed by a top coat of wax polish for protection.
Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee exact colour matches to existing furniture. Please use these colour samples as a guide only, as oak is a natural product colour variation can be expected.
The following swatch provides a great example of how unfinished oak can vary in colour.
Our estimated dispatch time for fireplace beams is 4-7 working days.
We use a next working day courier. Tracking details will be sent to you once your order has been dispatched.
All of our fully finished fireplace beams, with the exception of the 7.5"x5.5" size come with fixings. Depending on the size you choose we will supply a fixing method to suit your beam. Beams 3.5" deep or less come with heavy duty keyhole fixings pre-machined into the back of the beam. Beams deeper than this come with our 12mm concealed fixings and pre-drilled holes. For 7.5"x5.5" beams you can see the recommended installation method in the installation tab above.
If you would like a bespoke length, please order the next length up and leave a note in the checkout to cut the beam down. If the length you need is longer than what is listed or you need a different section size, please contact us and we will be happy to check if this is something we can offer and provide a quote. Please note that bespoke sizes will make the beam non-returnable.
If you would like to fit solely into a plasterboard wall we recommend a beam which is 3.5" deep or less. These come with keyhole fixings and you will then be able to purchase some plasterboard specific screws and wall plugs that will work in conjunction with these. We recommend hollow wall anchors. Alternatively if you can locate and fix into the timber studs we can change the pre-drilled hole locations to suit, enabling you to fix directly into the timber studs.
Floating Fireplace Beams WIHTOUT corbels have the fixings positioned on one on the larger faces. Beams WITH corbels have the fixings on the smaller face. If you need to change this just leave a note in checkout, however this will make the beam non-returnable. Surrounds have the fixings positioned on the larger face for the uprights and the smaller face for the mantel to create an overhang.
Each stove will have the safe distance to combustible materials in the manual to comply with HETAS and building regulations. The average distance is around 450mm. The beam must also be a safe distance away from the flue. This distance is usually the flue diameter x 3. You can find more information here > How far above a wood burnign stove can I install an Oak Beam.
In order for us to be sustainable our timber must be too! Our timber is always sourced from reliable and reputable sawmills who are FSC or PEFC certified. We also give back by planting 1 tree for every £50 spent with us.
Although you could specify in notes for us to select a beam with no or minimal cracks, we can not guarantee this. It depends on the stock we have available. If we do find a beam with no cracks, we can not guarantee that it will not crack slightly once installed in a central heated home. It is typical for air-dried beams to crack and move slightly overtime during that natural acclimatisation process to your home. Cracks are usually a good indication that the beams are well air dried. If you are looking for a beam that does not crack at all then take a look at our kiln dried oak beam.
Yes of course, feel free to send us a message or even a photo of your fireplace and we will be happy to advise. In most cases it is just down to personal preference but smaller opening to suit smaller beams.
