Help with some sketchy timbers!

[leucothea]

We've pulled some old cracked cement render off the corner of the house and revealed some rough-looking c19 timbers.

We are going to replace and reinforce appropriately but what I'm looking for help with is how to treat the wood that remains to prevent further spread of whatever is causing the decay.

Eventually, we plan to insert some wood fibre insulation between the timbers before covering with OSB and NHL 3.5.

Any thoughts would be appreciated!

I'm hoping to avoid costly and pointless treatment and basically rely on the timber being dry and properly protected going forwards.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Kearn]

Sadly the timber doesn’t look in a great way, there’s lots there for a structural framer to work with… may not be full scale replacement, but that’s normally their default rather than longer winded preservation of historic stuff. We’ve found a happy balance with our guys on this philosophical wrestle!

In terms of timber protection, you said it yourself, keep it dry and it’ll be just fine.

No sealing, coating etc, definitely no hideous toxic chemicals. Rot and beetle only like damp timber, it’s really as simple as that thankfully.

As you’ve probably already found out, structural carpentry repairs never get simpler/quicker/cheaper once you begin…

In terms of final finish, leave out the OSB - woodwool boards are great render carriers, but breathable, externally woodfibre is thicker with more insulation, depends on budget, insulation needs and the space you have to play with. Both of those boards can be plastered onto.

Also no need for NHL3.5. If you must externally, a weak 2 mix, but it won’t give with the building and is prone to shrinking/cracking and you’ll need to be doing maintenance. Putty finish will be more forgiving, but will require regular limewashing to protect the surface.

One of many repairs on our current project, and sadly the rear gable was non existent… just structural 4” cement render ….

We’ve used woodfibre boards in the external element in the gable, woodfibre batts and wood wool internally, but we rebuilt the frame with 170mm depth so we had more than most to play with.

Sheepswool from Ireland is the alternative, similar properties to the woodfibre, but better for lofting into difficult spaces between old timbers.

Feel free to reach out if you’ve any specific questions… good luck

 

[Toby Newell]

^^^ +1, I'm not an expert but that timber looks 'gone'. You would do well to save much of it.

 

[leucothea]

Thanks for the advice—much appreciated.

@Kearn those are some very impressive timbers! Though we don't do it as beautifully as you, given the framing is not super-historic (a 19th century timber-frame add-on to an early 18th century limestone rubble building) and will not be visible.

Yes @Toby Newell, they do have a very 'gone' feel and we will replace quite extensively and reinforce the rest.

I often wondered what was holding up this corner of the house and it turns out to be basically nothing!

 

[Kearn]

Ah… this building wasn’t built particularly well, it started life as a 3 storey wool barn, from the 1500s, maybe earlier and it wasn’t built to last. However, it was a very early barn conversion, being turned into a dwelling around the turn of the 1600s, which has saved it.

Theres a ton to be done though, including correcting lots of inadequate carpentry from when she was thrown up all that time ago…

Hidden timber work is far easier to fix!

Never underestimate the structural power of spiders webs.

 

[Toby Newell]

Ah… this building wasn’t built particularly well, it started life as a 3 storey wool barn, from the 1500s, maybe earlier and it wasn’t built to last. However, it was a very early barn conversion, being turned into a dwelling around the turn of the 1600s, which has saved it.

Theres a ton to be done though, including correcting lots of inadequate carpentry from when she was thrown up all that time ago…

Hidden timber work is far easier to fix!

Never underestimate the structural power of spiders webs.

Absolutely fantastic work, you cannot beat a good splice, looks like a work of art.

 

[Kearn]

Absolutely fantastic work, you cannot beat a good splice, looks like a work of art.

We’re having daily philosophical debates about keeping maximum historic timber vs the overall benefit to the total building for more major replacement…! Results in a lot of patch repairs and scarfs…

 

[Toby Newell]

We’re having daily philosophical debates about keeping maximum historic timber vs the overall benefit to the total building for more major replacement…! Results in a lot of patch repairs and scarfs…

Would even get a thumbs up from the Japanese...