Oak Orangery Café Extension at Humber Bridge Garden Centre

In late 2024, Top Barn Timber Frames was commissioned to design and build an oak framed orangery café extension for the busy and much-loved Humber Bridge Garden Centre. With a set deadline to be completed and open by Easter 2025, our experienced team delivered a bespoke timber frame solution that not only doubled café capacity but also enhanced the customer experience with light, space, and character.

A Bespoke Oak Orangery Design

The brief was clear: increase café seating while complementing the existing building and maximising the scenic lake views enjoyed by visitors. Working closely with the client, we developed initial designs and provided 3D visuals so they could see how the new orangery would integrate with their current café layout.

The finished design features:

  • Four handcrafted oak king post trusses supporting a traditional hipped roof.
  • Oak posts with classic knee braces for stability and timeless style.
  • Full-height bifold doors along the walls, enabling the orangery to open fully in summer, filling the café with fresh air and natural light.

This bespoke structure seamlessly connects indoor and outdoor spaces, making it a welcoming destination for café visitors all year round.

Precision Craftsmanship with a Watertight Finish

One of the key challenges with glazed oak structures is ensuring long-term weather protection as the oak naturally adjusts over time. For this project, the direct glazed roof was built from carefully selected air-dried oak rafters. Combined with softwood rebates, glazing tape, and rubber seals, this construction method guarantees a fully watertight roof with no water ingress.

The result is a strong and durable structure that will continue to look beautiful for decades to come, requiring minimal maintenance thanks to traditional techniques like mortice and tenon joinery with handmade oak pegs.

A Stunning, Functional New Space

The Humber Bridge Garden Centre café now benefits from a light, airy oak orangery that doubles seating capacity, increases revenue potential, and provides visitors with a comfortable, characterful place to relax and enjoy the view.

With bifold doors opening out towards the lake and native wildlife, the café offers a unique experience that combines modern functionality with traditional oak craftsmanship.

Fast and Efficient Commercial Construction

For commercial timber framing projects like this, minimising disruption is just as important as delivering craftsmanship. To achieve this, we constructed the oak frame in our workshop, carefully pre-assembling each component before delivery to site.

Once ready, the entire oak orangery frame was raised in just a single day. This method of off-site preparation meant the existing café could remain open throughout the build, ensuring no loss of trade and very little disturbance to staff or customers.

The new orangery also integrates seamlessly with the original café via existing external doors, which now flow through to the extension and out onto a patio area. This creates a natural connection between the old and new spaces, while maximising functionality.

Why Oak Frames Are Ideal for Commercial Projects

This case study highlights some of the reasons why more businesses in Lincolnshire and South Yorkshire are turning to oak framed extensions and commercial timber structures:

Speed of build – With much of the frame crafted off-site, construction times are drastically reduced compared to traditional building methods.

Minimal disruption – For busy venues such as cafés, hotels, farm shops, or garden centres, oak frames can be raised quickly, allowing businesses to remain open during works.

Strength and longevity – Oak is naturally durable, with structures designed to last for generations while requiring minimal maintenance.

Sustainability – Using responsibly sourced oak makes timber framing an environmentally friendly choice, reducing carbon footprint compared to steel or concrete.

Bespoke design flexibility – From traditional king post trusses to contemporary glazed extensions, oak framing can be tailored to fit any commercial vision.

Considering a Commercial Oak Frame Project?

Whether you’re planning an oak framed orangery, a timber frame extension, or a larger-scale commercial build in Lincolnshire, South Yorkshire, or the surrounding counties, our team can help. At Top Barn Timber Frames, we specialise in creating bespoke handcrafted frames that blend timeless style with practical benefits for modern businesses.

Visit our workshop to see our traditional joinery in action, or get in touch today to discuss your project.

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