Friday 5 April 2024

Timber Frame repairs, Tarrington

 


Repairs to Grade II listed cottage near Ledbury

The soleplate was badly repaired in places and completely missing is others. The whole elevation was sitting on crumbling cinder-block. Many of the studs were rotted at the ends. Previous repairs had caused serious structural problems.



Much of the damage was done when inappropriate large windows were fitted.




This was the only surviving original piece of sole plate. It was too badly deteriated to preserve. 
 
Some new timber going in. Rails fitted into original mortice holes on left and shouldered into the new post on the right with slip tenons.

An example of an squinted half-lap repair to a rotten post, morticed to new sole plate

One of the few original tenons preserved and refitted to new sole plate and the bridle joint in sole plate prior to connection.



Hempcrete was chosen for replacement panel infill. It was originally developed for this purpose and is proving to be the ideal material for the job, having excellent hydroscopic properties and brilliant thermal performance. Its also brilliant for filling the irregular shapes in old timber frames.

Hemcrete was also used to repair the two existing wattle panels 

New brick plinth and panels staves ready to hemcrete

Completed hempcrete casting ready lime rendering


Phase one complete. We'll be back in a few months to render the panels.

















Friday 16 February 2024

Ash 'n' elm door

 

Ash horizontal boards...

On to elm vertical boards. Sliding pocket door for bathroom.

Home grown and felled ash boards from Penallt.



Thursday 1 February 2024

Tuesday 30 January 2024

Retrofit ceiling insulation

Retrofit ceiling insulation, Fownhope


The client wanted to replaster the ceiling and this proved to be an ideal opportunity to fit some extra insulation. 60mm of Woodfibre (doubled to 120mm on pitched part of ceiling) was added to compliment the mineral wool loft insulation above. The Warmshell boards are directly plastered with a natural hydraulic lime finish.




Thursday 7 September 2023

Outdoor kitchen and shower room, Wormbridge

 

Outdoor kitchen and shower room built as a utility area for an existing cabin for use as a camping holiday rental

The kitchen is accessed from the bedrooms via a canopy with sedum roof

Cedar cladding with shower room ventilation detail

Camp kitchen 



Monday 4 September 2023

Utility room extension in Longtown

Small utility room extension. Locally sourced douglas fir used for the structure and the cladding. Woodfibre and sheepswool insulation and green roof.  Design by James Robson.