OLD GROWTH, NEW HOME: SCOTT’S LIVE OAK BUILD
HOW ONE TEXAS TREE HELPED BUILD A HOUSE IN COLORADO
PROJECT DETAILS
IT STARTED WITH A WALK AT PRATKA RANCH
Scott came into Tin Roof’s Showroom looking for a mantle. He wanted something with character, something one-of-a-kind. We didn’t have what he was searching for in the showroom, so I invited him out to Pratka Ranch where we do all our sawing.
We were walking the property when he spotted a big Live Oak that had been laid over for more than 30 years. The tree had been weathering naturally, and it was cracked, dry, and rough from years of Texas sun. At first glance, most people would’ve passed on it. But Scott’s a woodworker himself, so he could see the potential.
After Scott picked the tree, he stuck around the ranch for the rest of the afternoon. We were smoking bacon and jerky that day, and he ended up hanging out with my dad and brothers. We had cold beer, food in the smoker, good company, and a solid tree picked out. That’s a good day in my book!
Turns out, that one tree was just the beginning. What started as a mantle turned into a full staircase, Live Oak flooring, and more for Scott’s new home in Colorado.
THIS KIND OF WOOD TAKES TIME
I’ll be the first to admit, Live Oak is tough to work with. It’s dense, twisted, and full of natural movement. That’s why most people use it for firewood instead of building. But at Tin Roof, we always welcome a challenge!
We had to cut every piece oversized to account for the movement that would occur during the drying process. We let it air dry out at Pratka Ranch for a good while, then moved it over to our kiln to finish the drying process and help it stay stable. Once it was ready, we brought it back to the mill and flattened each beam. Some were so twisted, we had to take off more than an inch just to get them square.
It’s not fast work, but it’s necessary if you want your slabs done right!
WORTH THE WORK
Once the material was dry and milled, the Tin Roof team got to work. These pieces were big and heavy, and Live Oak doesn’t exactly glide through a planer. Every tread and beam had deep cracks from all those years outside. We filled them with black epoxy, which sealed them up and made the grain really stand out.
We put in the time, and it paid off. The wood came out strong, bold, and full of character. All we did was help it stand out.
WHAT TIN ROOF BUILT FOR SCOTT
Scott picked the tree, and the Tin Roof team brought it to life. Here’s what we built:
LIVE OAK MANTLE — the piece that started it all
CUSTOM STAIRCASE — thick treads and oversized stringers
LIVE OAK FLOORING — finished throughout the house
Scott took the leftover drops home and used them to build shelves and smaller pieces, tying the same wood throughout the space.
BUILT FROM A SINGLE TREE
From the first walk around Pratka Ranch to the last board installed in Colorado, this build stayed true to the wood and to the customer. It didn’t happen overnight, but it was done right. That’s how we do things at Tin Roof.
“Appreciate what you and Mark did for us.” — Scott Saylors
READY TO BUILD?
If you’re looking for real wood and a team that knows how to work it, come see us! Whether you’ve got a log in mind or want help picking the right one, the Tin Roof team can help bring your ideas to life.
Let’s Build Your Next Project