Materials and Skills for Historic Building Conservation

Materials & Skills for Historic Building Conservation describes the characteristics and process of decay of traditional materials which inform the selection of appropriate repair techniques.

It provides essential information on the properties of the principal traditional external building materials. Their availability, sourcing and environmental impact is covered, as well as the causes of erosion and decay, and the skills required for their application on conservation projects.

It covers the main most commonly used materials and conservation techniques including stone, brickwork, lime products, concrete, iron and steel, timber, wattle and daub, and glass,

Thirteen chapters written by the experts present today′s key issues in materials and skills for historic building conservation: Gus Astley, Patrick Baty, Charley Brentnall, Michael Bussell, Michael Forsyth, Tony Graham, Chris Harris, David McLaughlin, Brian Ridout, Mike Stock, Geoff Wallis, Ian Williams, Rory Young

Cover illustration shows Telford′s bridge at Ironbridge

Photograph English Heritage / James O.Davies

Cover design by Workhaus

Preface vi

Contributors viii

1 The philosophy of repair
Michael Forsyth 1

2 Stone 5

Types of wall construction
Ian Williams 5

Oolitic limestone
David McLaughlin 7

Sandstone
Ian Williams 20

Granite
Robert Cotta 30

3 Brickwork
Mike Stock 46

4 Lime–based plasters, renders and washes
Rory Young 56

5 Concrete and reinforced concrete
Michael Bussell 92

6 Stone slate, clay tile and metamorphic slate
Christopher Harris 109

7 Cast iron, wrought iron and steel
Geoff Wallis and Michael Bussell 123

8 Understanding decay in building timbers
Brian Ridout 160

9 Timber
Charley Brentnall 167

10 Wattle and daub
Tony Graham 178

11 Sash windows
Gus Astley 191

12 Window glass
Michael Forsyth 196

13 Exterior colour on the smaller town house
Patrick Baty 200

Index 212