Content tagged with "Exteriors"
A scruffy porch and a front door with poorly applied paint and ugly door furniture was spoiling Marianne Suhr’s 17th-century cottage – time to take action by tidying up the tiles and paintwork an adding some beautiful ironmongery.
As the restoration of Marianne Suhr’s 17th-century cottage reaches the finishing line, our historic buildings expert reprieves her turn-of- the-century crinkly tin roof. Plus Marianne offers her advice on boarding and corrugated sheeting.
In PL’s new series, old buildings expert Marianne Suhr follows various renovation projects, starting with 17th-century Honey Cottage, where plans are taking shape. Plus expert advice on how to find the right tradesmen and avoid pitfalls in your renovation project.
In our series on the fabric of older houses, Roger Hunt explores the history of the chimney and flue – and visits a company that makes period-style pots by hand. Plus a handy glossary of chimney-related terms.
Continuing our series on the building materials that make old houses so special, Roger Hunt looks at the importance of the timber frame in history and how it is used today. Plus an insight into how timber frame is constructed and a glossary of timber frame terms.
Continuing our series on the building materials that make old houses so special, Roger Hunt considers original and period-style door and window furniture, and highlights a Devon company making ironmongery the old-fashioned way.
Roger Hunt looks at the evolution of the front door and visits a salvage specialist dedicated to restoring period examples.
Lime pickle: Old buildings expert Marianne Suhr joins a working party at Corner Cottage, where modern masonry paint and cement render have been wreaking havoc on the 18th-century structure. Plus a step-by-step guide to making lime mortar, and expert advice for repointing stone walls.
Tradition Triumphs: As the restoration project at Honey Cottage in Oxfordshire gets well underway, old buildings expert Marianne Suhr inspects progress on transforming the frontage. Plus expert advice on choosing materials for new infill panels and tips on surveying a timber-framed house for renovation.
In our series about the design factors that make old houses so special, Roger Hunt turns the spotlight on weatherboarding and mathematical tiles: traditional materials that protect homes against the seasons.
The White Choice: With masonry paint removed on three sides of the house and new lime mortar pointing applied, Corner Cottage is ready for a coat or two of limewash. Old buildings expert Marianne Suhr helps out. Plus a handy step-by-step guide to making and applying limewash.
The Big Push: Corner Cottage has undergone a traditional transformation in the last few months and, as the project concludes, old buildings guru Marianne Suhr helps the owners carry out some final repairs. Plus expert advice on DIY building works and safety.
The story of stone is the story of building traditions over the last thousand years. Roger Hunt assesses the impact of this ancient material on our domestic lives, and visits a working quarry in West Sussex.
Lead is a vital component in the fabric of many old buildings, forming roofs, waterproof flashing, leaded-lights and decorative rainwater goods as Roger Hunt discovers.
Walls have secrets: Old buildings expert Marianne Suhr recalls her first close encounter with wattle and daub walls and visits a neighbouring project to watch a skilled specialist in action as he recreates a traditional panel.
Wrought and cast iron added the flourishes to period properties and were a convenient way of denoting boundaries and status, says Roger Hunt, who discovers more about the blacksmith’s art. Plus an insight into how reclaimed wrought iron is turned into something new.
The time honoured craft of architectural wood carving is alive and well, discovers Roger Hunt, as he charts the history of the art in period homes and meets a Somerset master carver and champion of traditional techniques. Plus a glossary of wood-carving words and terms.
Lime is the key to healthy period homes, whether in the form of mortar, plaster or wash. Roger Hunt explores lime’s history as a building material and assesses the benefits it brings to old houses, from its beautiful light reflecting qualities to its porous nature that allows moisture to easily escape from walls.
Don’t let wood rot ruin your decorating plans – using two separate cases Helaine Clare shows how to fix this common problem on a shed door post and on french doors and how to prevent it from happening again in the future. Plus a full list of tools and equipment needed.
Let it rain: For financial and ecological reasons it makes sense to have a rainwater butt for the watering of pots and flower beds. In her step-by-step guide, Helaine Clare plumps for a purpose-built oak butt to save up spare water and look the part.
A smart gravel path will add value to your garden yet is an inexpensive feature to create. Helaine Clare shows how to lay out and edge a new path with professional looking results.
Give your front door a gentle makeover following Helaine Clare’s easy to follow eight-step guide, including a full list of tools and equipment needed and a handy guide to suppliers and stockists.
In preparation for spring, now’s the time to spruce up precious old iron railings that are worse for wear. Helaine Clare shows how to clean, repair and repaint in eight easy steps, including a full list of the tools and equipment you will need for the job.
With winter on the wane the weather should be ideal for tackling outdoor painting projects, such as transforming scruffy window frames on a conservatory. Helaine Clare shows how in her step-by-step guide, including a full list of tools and materials you will need.
Naomi Jones chats with Gary Drostle, a London-based mosaic artist who feels equally at home on a building site.
Houses built with earth or ‘cob’ can last for centuries if properly maintained discovers Roger Hunt, as he considers the history of the vernacular technique and the current revival of interest in this eco-friendly method of construction. Plus a look at what cob is made of, how to repair cob and a handy glossary of cob-related terms.
Earthen wares: In the late 19th century terracotta clay detailing on houses and mansion flats became the height of fashion. Roger Hunt marvels at the material’s versatility and visits a Hampshire pottery where the hand-manufacturing craft is alive and well today.
Boundary mark: Fencing adds a finishing touch as old buildings expert Marianne Suhr discovers when she installs salvaged railings at her own 16th-century cottage.
Green Scene: Old buildings expert Marianne Suhr revisits Watts Barn to see how an eco building material has been used to make new walls, creating a shell with excellent insulation that is sympathetic to the original architecture. Plus advice on preserving and replacing traditional boarding.
Old buildings expert Marianne Suhr offers her advise on how to go about choosing a house designer or architect for your renovation or conversion project.
Old buildings expert Marianne Suhr offers her advice on installing iron railings around a period property. Plus advice on how to make reclaimed metal railings safe for re-use.
Old buildings expert Roger Hunt highlights the main things you should look out for to keep your roof and roof structure as sound as possible and avoid leaks and further structural damage.
Out on the tiles Make an old roof your high priority, says Roger Hunt, who gives practical advice on spotting potential problems and how to get them fixed.
Make a traditional knocker the centrepiece of your front door with a knocker from this selection in brass, pewter, bronze and iron.
Period walls need sensitive renovation because of their age and method of construction, says Roger Hunt, in his problem-solving guide. Plus advice on the warning signs to look out for.
Period buildings expert Marianne Suhr admires the quality and pleasingly irregular finish of cleft oak tiles used to construct the roof of an eco-friendly music studio.
In many ways, original period doors and window frames are just as valuable as antique furniture, says Roger Hunt, and are heirlooms in their own right. Here's some expert advice on how to maintain original doors and windows in period houses.
Choose from one of these traditional window designs, guaranteed to add distinction to older properties. Plus advice on what to consider when choosing windows.
