Traditional Building Restoration
Historically buildings were constructed from the materials to be found close by, traditionally the local quarry. If no stone was immediately to hand then timber or "cob" was used.
The term "cob" describes a much maligned building material which has been around for thousands of years, and consists of a mixture of sharp edged stone, clay soil and straw.
In the South West the exterior cob walls were often faced with scantle slates, set in to a lime mortar bed, or a lime and sand mix, with a lime mortar pointing on the exterior.
Cob building continues to this day and we have been fortunate in participating in several historic restorations using the material.
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Building Restoration Throughout the South West
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In the past, interior walls were often constructed with timber studding and clad in lath and plaster. This type of construction can still be found throughout the British Isles, especially at first floor level, when forming the exterior of a house. In the South West walls were often slate hung or lime plastered. Some of the exterior and interior stud walls were filled with stone or brick.
Very often an exterior stone wall had an interior lining wall of thinner stud work. At ground floor level a boarded face (approximately 3' high) was constructed, with lath and plaster above, together with a picture rail and decorative lime plaster cornices at the junction between wall and ceiling. In some properties the stud walls were replaced with a divisional timber in large upright planks, with small timber jointing pieces know as "muntins".
Throughout the South West a large number of interior and exterior stone walls which originally had a lime mortar facing and pointing have deteriorated over time. Sadly many of these buildings have been "repaired" with sand and cement which lets water in - but not out ! All of these "repairs" now need to be replaced with lime mortar as was used originally, which allows the walls to "breathe".
As a company we work in close liaison with local conservation officers and those responsible for the preservation and conservation of historic and listed buildings - for example English Heritage and The Society for The Protection of Ancient Buildings. We have undertaken countless restoration projects which have included many Listed Private Properties, Barns and Agricultural Dwellings, Industrial Heritage Projects and Ecclesiastical Buildings. Our portfolio contains examples of the many important and historic buildings we have restored and preserved for their owners.