Oak Repair & Restoration

Historic oak frames often suffer when modern, incompatible materials such as cement are used around them. Cement traps moisture against the timber, leading to decay, rot, and structural movement over time. Careful restoration using breathable, sympathetic materials is essential to preserve the integrity of the frame and surrounding fabric.

• 🌧 Common Issues – Cement renders and pointing prevent moisture from escaping, forcing water into the timber and causing long-term deterioration. Leaks, poor detailing, or blocked drainage can accelerate the damage, weakening joints and causing distortion in the structure.

• 🪚 Sensitive Repair Methods – We remove harmful modern materials, repair or replace decayed oak sections with like-for-like timber, and reinstate breathable lime mortars and plasters. This allows the building to manage moisture naturally and helps stabilise the frame for the future.

• 🏡 Key Benefits

• Preserves original timber fabric and character

• Prevents further decay by allowing moisture to escape

• Strengthens structural integrity with traditional carpentry methods

• Restores proper breathability and compatibility between oak and surrounding materials

Cement Render Removal (Brick & Timber Frames)

Many historic buildings have been coated with hard, impermeable cement renders that trap moisture, leading to significant damage to the underlying brickwork and timber frames. Careful removal of these modern coatings is essential to allow the building to breathe again and to prevent further decay.

• 🧱 Brickwork – Cement renders prevent moisture from evaporating through the wall, forcing damp into the masonry. Over time, this causes bricks to spall, salts to build up, and internal damp problems to develop. By removing the cement carefully, we can restore the wall’s natural breathability and prepare it for appropriate lime-based finishes.

• 🪵 Timber Frames – When cement is applied over or tight against oak frames, it traps moisture around the timbers, leading to rot, movement, and joint failure. Sensitive removal exposes the frame, allows it to dry out, and prevents ongoing decay.

• ⚒ Our Approach

• Careful, controlled removal to avoid damaging the original fabric

• Assessment of underlying brick and timber condition

• Preparation for breathable lime renders or traditional finishes

• Full restoration to ensure longevity and structural stability

• 🌿 Key Benefits

• Restores natural moisture movement and breathability

• Prevents decay and structural damage to masonry and timber

• Enhances the building’s ability to self-regulate moisture

• Provides a sound base for compatible lime-based restoration

Lime Pointing

Lime pointing is essential for maintaining the health and character of traditional masonry. Unlike hard cement mortars, lime allows moisture to move through the wall, preventing trapped damp and damage to the surrounding brick or stone.

• 🧱 Why Lime Matters – Cement pointing often leads to spalling bricks, internal damp, and accelerated decay because it’s harder and less permeable than the masonry itself. Lime mortar, by contrast, is softer and breathable — it sacrifices itself over time, protecting the bricks or stones around it.

• ⚒ Our Approach

• Careful raking out of failed or inappropriate mortars

• Cleaning and preparation of joints to avoid damaging masonry

• Repointing with suitable lime mortars (putty or NHL), matched for colour, texture, and strength

• Finishing in traditional styles to suit the building’s period and fabric

• 🌿 Key Benefits

• Allows moisture to escape, preventing damp build-up

• Protects surrounding masonry from decay and frost damage

• Maintains the building’s historic character and appearance

• Provides a flexible, durable joint that moves with the structure