Barge Boards - Repair or replace?

[thebadger7]

Hi all

I can't decide whether to repair, or replace these barge boards (while scaffold is up). What do you think?

There is a bit of rot and feel a bit flimsy. If repairing, anything more I can do other than sand down and repaint? Secure with some steel plates behind perhaps?

If anyone has any recommendations of suppliers too that would be great - everything seems to be bespoke made at a £, whereas I'm not too fussed by pattern as long as it's in keeping.

Thanks

 

[Cubist]

Barge boards are, to some small extent, sacrificial insofar that their primary function is to prevent weather penetration to the inner timbers. Given that they take the brunt of all weather, fair and foul, their decay frequently gets to the point where replacement is the only sensible strategy. The design you have there, whilst attractive and perhaps flattering to the property, is one that has permitted water ingress to end grain elements of the timbers and hence the more advanced decay at the apex and foot. The remainder of these sections will almost certainly be very delicate and unlikely to survive any efforts to repair them or even to prepare them for painting. To my eye the barge board was constructed as a composite rather than being created by excising wood from the plank to create the scollops. Given the boards siting I would suggest that you replace them now, while you have easy access, as to wait longer would probably result in a much greater cost for a future repair.

BTW - is the house listed?

 

[thebadger7]

Thank you, that makes a lot of sense. No, house isn't listed.

Maybe something like this would be better then: https://www.timberdoorcanopies.co.uk/webshop/barge-boards/ref-1/

 

[Cubist]

Looks appropriate but best to check the dimensions of the timbers that would remain in situ and how you would join the new boards to these - while making sure you don't create any water traps.

 

[Feltwell]

Oooo, I don't agree, sorry. That looks very repairable to me, which will both save you money and preserve originality.

Take a look at this old thread on my gable end timbers:-

https://www.periodproperty.co.uk/forum/threads/2-part-epoxy-wood-repair-systems.16977/

 

[Cubist]

Oooo, I don't agree, sorry. That looks very repairable to me, which will both save you money and preserve originality.

Take a look at this old thread on my gable end timbers:-

https://www.periodproperty.co.uk/forum/threads/2-part-epoxy-wood-repair-systems.16977/

Sometimes here you can find you've poked a bear. How you doing @Feltwell? I hope all is well for you and yours.

 

[Feltwell]

Sometimes here you can find you've poked a bear. How you doing @Feltwell? I hope all is well for you and yours.

Doing fine, thanks for asking! Trust all is well with you & others on here. I confess I only popped in as I clicked on the wrong "favourite" in my website list. Busy busy busy still with the world's worst semi-retirement project, I know I'll start a nice little business and improve the work-life balance, Oh damn it's taken off like a rocket......

I'm enjoying it though - free of all the corporate nonsense and egos - and I've not enjoyed work in a very long time. The poor house has taken a big step backwards for the moment though!

 

[Cubist]

Finger trouble serendipity then. Whatever, always good to hear from you and to know that all is well in Shrewsbury. Hopefully too Fawlty Towers is not suffering too much neglect. Take care.