About Simple Oak Home
Simple Oak Home is a reference on chestnut and oak timber frames as used in the rural architecture of central and northern Italy. The content covers construction methods, material properties, and maintenance practices drawn from documented examples in Tuscany, Umbria, and the Apennine areas.
The focus is on the two species most consistently associated with structural timber framing in these regions — sweet chestnut (Castanea sativa) and European oak (Quercus robur) — and on the construction traditions that shaped their use.
Scope
Articles on this site address three main areas:
- The use of chestnut as a primary structural material in rural Italian farmhouses and agricultural buildings
- The selection and preparation of oak timber for structural applications
- Practical maintenance and inspection of existing timber frames
Content is written for those involved in the care, restoration, or study of rural buildings in Italy, as well as for anyone with an interest in traditional timber construction methods.
Approach to Content
Information on this site is based on documented construction practices and publicly available technical and historical sources. Specific examples are drawn from the recorded building stock of central Italy where relevant. No statistics are asserted without a verifiable basis, and where precise data is unavailable, neutral descriptions are used in preference to approximations presented as fact.
External references are linked where they are directly relevant. The site does not represent any commercial supplier, trade body, or professional organisation.
Contact
For enquiries about the content of this site, use the form below or write to: info@simpleoakhome.eu
Last updated: May 22, 2026
