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Conservation of Timber Buildings

F W B Charles

 

Hardback £40.00  $80.00

Publication date 1995

256 pages

ISBN 978 1 873394 17 5

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In this authoritative volume, first published in 1984 and now reprinted by Donhead, the author looks at the various types of structure generally associated with the timber-frame tradition. He discusses repair techniques, the procedures of investigation, the preliminary survey and the structural survey, followed up by detailed case studies. The text is supported by numerous line illustrations and photographs.

Architects, surveyors and craftsmen involved in the conservation of timber structures, whether it be the roof and internal framework of a medieval tithe barn or the half-timer wall of a seventeenth-century farmhouse, will find this both a beguiling and practical reference work.

Contents:

Structural types: rafter roofs, purlin roofs, post-and-truss, crucks, base-cruck v Timber: properties and effects of environment, oaks and other trees for building, decay of oak, use of unseasoned oak, size of trees, cruck trees, today’s trees, conservation methods, the specification for timbers, reused timbers v Organization and framing: history, the carpenter’s yard, sample building and numbering system, framing, site erection v Historical change: introductory section focusing on the years 1100-1650, the town house, the countryside, cottages, post-1650 v Office Practice: Preliminary survey and report - the Old Crown House, Birmingham  Structural survey and repairs v Case Studies: Shell Manor (Himbleton, Droitwich) Cheylesmore Manor House (Coventry) Much Wenlock Guildhall and Wellington Inn (Manchester) v Examples of buildings restored by the Practice.

  The author
Freddie Charles set up in practice with his wife, Mary, in 1962 and was involved with the restoration of a number of important ancient timber structures. Recent restoration projects have included the Ancient High House in Stafford, and for the National Trust, Middle Littleton tithe barn and the reconstruction of Bredon Barn.
From the reviews:
‘...an invaluable reference and source book and a thoroughly good read, given its wealth of historical data and case study descriptions.’ Building Refurbishment

'It is rare to find a technical book that is better taken with a brandy than a pocket calculato. In its writing and its illustration, this is a book to be savoured.’ Architects’ Journal

 
 

Donhead Publishing 2008