Oriels are bays that start from the first floor. The oriel bay is supported on a cantilevered stone that is called a corbel stone. Bay windows are built down to…
Your tenement may have a basement, sometimes used for living accommodation or sometimes used for storage, cellars or wash-houses. These buildings will often also have a 'dunny' between the basement…
Cracks can occur in your building for a variety of reasons. Establish the likely cause for your crack and, if it might be serious, take professional advice. Cracks can occur…
Stone walls are often built with architectural features that not only add to the visual appearance of the building, but also have the purpose of throwing water away from the…
Gables are the end walls of your tenement. Sometimes the gable was originally intended to be a cross wall between two older stone tenements, but the next phase of building…
Gutters take the rain from your roof and channel it away from your walls and the timbers set into the walls that are prone to rot if they are damp…
A lintel supports the walls and floors above an opening, such as a window or a door. They are part of the structure of your building. The outer lintel is…
Mullions are vertical stones between windows. Delaminating mullion. Replacement stone mullion required. Mullions are the vertical stones between windows. They help support the lintels above. Like other stones, they should…
Removing paint from stone can cause damage, so removal methods need to be carefully investigated before you go ahead. Graffiti While you are often advised to remove graffiti as soon…
Rear stonework tends to be much simpler than front ashlar stone. Cosmetic damage to the rougher rubble stone is less obvious and the walls themselves are often better protected from the…
Stone deteriorates through the action of moisture and frost. Stone naturally absorbs water and then dries – a process generally referred to as 'breathing'. The use of cement mortar can…
The first short talk of the day was delivered by architect Ingvar Maxwell, who explored the history of stone in Scottish buildings from the prehistoric age until the 20th century. He explained how…
Mortgage lenders now require that those buying flats with cladding to provide…
Your tenement may have a basement, sometimes used for living accommodation or…
Insulation, draught-proofing and improved glazing can save money, improve comfort and reduce…
Recent research suggests that traditional solid stone or brick walls provide better…
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