Category: Heritage Guide
The Heritage Homes Guide
Railings
Why important Cast-iron railings in the Birkenhead provide a barrier between the pavement or platt and the basement areas of properties and enclose communal gardens. However, they are also a significant part of the architect of the period home. When railings are missing, the desirability and value of the property is likely to be lower. …
Problems of fire-smoke in rooms
Why Important Smoking chimneys were a problem in some old houses with dog grates or firebaskets, large openings and wide flues. What to look for Fires can destroy parging, crack masonry and ignite built-in timbers. These risks can be reduced if the chimney is effectively lined. Sometimes a flue is blocked by a bird’s nest …
Prevent the access of water to the wall
Why Important How to fix External Treatment Results will often be achieved by digging out earth which has been banked against a wall, and by clearing away trees and shrubs which have been planted too near the building. A ‘dry area’ along the base of the wall, formed by lowering the water table with site …
Pressed Brass Escutcheons
Why Important Escutcheons were always used in Georgian period, except on very minor cupboard doors or where the keyhole was cut into the backplate of a door handle. What to look for An escutcheon plate is a flat piece of metal fitted round the keyhole in a door. Main doors had cast brass oval escutcheons, …
Preparation Painting for Internal surfaces
Why Important What to look for The lower section of the wall was traditionally painted with oil gloss or eggshell paint to give a hard wearing and easily cleaned surface. Large areas of flaking and staining are probably the sign of a leak somewhere and unless this is investigated and cured, then the problem will …
Plain Tiles and Pantiles
Introduction There are two types of clay tile. Plain tile Plain tile is a type of fired roof tile, normally made from clay. Flat tiles normally lap two courses. 18th Century Tiles were made of local clay by hand, and therefore vary in colour and size. Clay plain tiles are flat, and are laid like …
External finishes
Modern buildings are usually of brick with a cavity wall to keep the damp from internal walls. Traditional properties are often made of stone and do not have cavity walls or a damp proof course. The temptation is to seal the wall so that damp cannot get in. This is a bad idea. Damp needs …
Internal Paint Colours for Common Areas
Why Important Getting maximum light into a common stair is usually the main priority, together with choosing a colour with which everyone else on the stair can live. What to look for When to look How to fix White is a good colour for the ceiling and any cornice with off-white or cream for the …
Owners and Agents
While you take care of your property, you are also protecting part of our national heritage. It is always cheaper to stop things going wrong than to put them right when they do, so we suggest things you can check each month or season throughout the year. Winter: December, January, February Spring: March, April, May …