Case Studies

This was a  fabulously preserved Grade II listed 15^th century oak framed hall house, split level with low slung ceilings, a huge inglenook and the remnants of an old priest hole.

[1]. A detached 17^th century oak framed barn stood adjacent to the house with extant planning consent for linkage and part conversion to ancillary accommodation. This would be subject to Listed Building Consent and Building Control approval and we highlighted the need for care in considering thermal improvements. [6]. This barn was a triumph, with most of its original design integrity retained but evidence that the roof covering had been stripped and re-laid and the external weatherboarding replaced at least once.

[2]. Huge investment was made in the 1980s involving  a massive extension and modernisation of the building services now, of course, in need of fresh modernisation themselves.  Typically, for a building of this age, we documented some instances of damp and how to best mitigate it, along with the need for a responsive maintenance schedule using heritage materials and repair techniques as appropriate.

[3]. Old roofs are beautiful but at some point clay tiles will have weathered and spalled to the extent that wholescale replacement will be necessary, but using sensitive replacement materials. Managing ventilation into roof voids and getting attic insulation details right is a constant challenge.

[4]. The exposed oak frame was all original and still underpinning the building’s structure. Numerous repairs could be seen to the oak junctions; some good and some not so good. Spliced timber replacement makes an ideal repair, but the use of painted mortar (seen here) to hide and regularise decayed oak should be avoided.

[5]. Internal accommodation in such a building is always compromised by beam positions, with many cross beams too important to be removed. Insulation and air tightness are very difficult to get right with significant heat loss inevitable through this old wall and roof fabric.

In summary, this was a house full of character and historical charm but, due to its age, compromised by some loss of comfort, ease of use and overall performance.