Carpentry

Wood is used widely throughout a building. It forms the roof structure and supports any first floor rooms. Timber lintels are often found above historic windows and interior walls are formed of a timber stud and lath to carry the plaster (see below). Historic timbers were not treated for woodworm and may have suffered damp conditions for many years, eventually becoming structurally unsound. We can remove old rotten timber and replace it with treated timber which will not suffer from woodworm. It is also possible to spray old timbers to kill any existing woodworm using environmentally-friendly products.

Woodspring Priory Purlin Repair

The roof structure at Woodspring Priory had been suffering from water ingress on one wall for a long time and the ends of the purlins (horizontal roof timbers) adjoining this wall had rotted. We removed the rotten purlins and replaced them with new treated timber which should last a long time.

The poor condition and water staining is evident on the old purlin.

The new purlins, which are already treated are painted with sealant for more protection as this wall has chronic damp issues.

The rafters are temporarily propped while the old purlin is removed.

WP purlin complete detail — The new purlin is fitted and mortared in.

Mellifont Abbey Floor Joist Repairs

On lifting the floor some of the joists were found to be rotten. It was possible to splice in new timbers without replacing the whole width.

The floorboards are nailed onto the joists. The floor will be sanded and treated with oil.

Lathed Walls and Ceilings

Wooden laths were used in ceilings and walls to provide a structure to carry lime plaster before modern meshes and plasterboard were invented. If a building is listed, a Conservation Officer will often specify that traditional laths are used, which can be hardwood such as oak or softwood. Laths may be sawn or riven (split in the traditional way). Riven oak lath is the traditional material and the most expensive.

The Sherborne New Lathed Walls

Sherborne House is a Listed Building and the traditional methods must be used wherever possible, even when modern walls are constructed such as the WC cubicles below.

A timber stud with lath over is built into a corner of the main room to form 2 small cubicles. Sawn lath has been used as the walls are modern.

The lime mortar base coat has been applied and scratched with lathe in the traditional way to ensure good adhesion for the float coat.

The same lime mortar has been applied for the float coat and will be polyfloated as it pulls in to create a flat surface to take the topcoat.

The lime plaster top coat, sometimes known as the finish coat.

Orchard House Porch

After the front of the house was re-modelled and the front door re-located to the centre of the building (see Orchard House, Somerset), the owner asked us to build a porch to compliment the building. We designed this with him and built it from timber, with Doulting stone column bases so that the bottom of the timber columns will not rot and a lead roof.