The failed cement render was removed to show this tired and sorry looking timber frame. With a lovely surprise behind the render, covered over on both side, hidden for many year.

The cement render had been repaired badly in the past and was showing signs of movement, the lower 1.2m was a sand based lime render on laths and above that was cement render on metal lath. With a crack line between the two.

Behind this was this wonderful little timber frame with historic wattle and daub panels in places and the hidden timber door at one end, no on knew it was there, still on its hinges and opens.

The overall condition of the frame was good with the usual issuse at ground level. The old sole plate was in two different sections and completly missing in one place. This was completely removed with the building supported on internal and exteranl acro props, a new English green oak sole plate was jointed together with a tenoned half lap pegged with two 3/4" air dired oak pegs. New tenons were cut on all existing and correct studs, with some being scarfed and extended to create a tenon these were bolted together with M10 Stainless steel coach screws. These were then morcied into the new sole plate and everything was pegged with 3/4" air dried pegs (also called tree nails). All joints are draw-bored with a 3mm offset.

Once fitted and supported the brick plinth was rebuilt using as many of the orgianl bricks as possible, this was laid between the supporting blocks first and once set the blocks were removed and bricked together. Once the brick mortar has gone off, slate is packed tight between the sole plate and the plinth, this is also pointed up to prevent any drafts. All the bricks are laid using a lime mortar.

25mm Savolit was used on the external wall to lime plaster on to, This was fixed directly on to the timber frame with 70mm stainless steel screws, leaving a 10mm gap around the boards to be filled with adhesive foam to allow for any expansion or movement in the building, this also helps to prevent any cracking or 'block pattern' if the building was to move.

Sheep wool insulation was added between the Savolit and the wattle and daub, while keep all of the existing wattle and daub panels in place. This retains as much historic fabric while adding to the insulation value of the building.

The external wall was lime plastered with an insulating lime plaster as the base coat, and a fine finishing lime palster as the top caot. Both of these are chalk based. The brick plinth was also rendered with 'Rendercote' of which is a hard wearing lime render ideal for plinths and parapit wall where there is a high level of water contact. It was also ideal here as the property is close to a main road, with the added water spray form passing traffic.