We would recommend the following points are considered as part of a maintenance plan:

1. Roof

Roofs should be checked to make sure all elements are in good condition and working correctly.  If there are slates or tiles missing or damaged, they should be replaced to prevent water entering the building.  Ridge tiles should be checked ensure they are not loose and flashings should be assessed for watertightness.

2. Rainwater Goods

Blocked or damaged rainwater goods are a common cause of water damage in historic buildings and should be checked frequently for any blockages.  They should be cleared of leaves and debris to ensure water can flow freely.

3. Plant Growth

Plant growth can seriously harm the fabric of historic buildings, causing structural issues with masonry, damp walls and blocked rainwater goods.  Plant growth should be monitored and controlled or removed carefully to avoid any damage.

4. Chimneys

Damage within the structure of a chimney can potentially become a dangerous issue if it were to fall.  Chimney stacks and pots should be checked to see if they are out of position or leaning.  Any cracks or loose masonry should be repaired and any vegetation growth should be carefully removed.

5. Exterior Walls

Exterior walls or the façade of the building are often the most eye-catching parts of a heritage property and defects in the external walls can affect the aesthetic significance as well as the structure.  Any missing pointing in joints should be replaced, cracks should be investigated to ascertain the cause and other defects in masonry should be repaired.  Damp staining, algae or vegetation growth might indicate an issue with rainwater goods or flashing so this should also be investigated.

6. Windows and Doors

Original sash windows and timber doors require regular maintenance to prevent rot and decay which if left untreated can be difficult to remedy.  Any paint or other coatings on timber should be checked for peeling or flaking and bare timber should be identified and redecorated using appropriate coatings.

Heritage buildings are key to our shared sustainable future and through carrying out maintenance, addressing small concerns and employing a heritage specialist to carry out small repairs, we can ensure that our heritage is preserved and utilised for generations to come while saving time and money.

If you have any maintenance or small works requirements please get in touch via our Contact Page.

The first step in any timber floor restoration project is to survey and assess its current condition.  This involves historic research to understand the original techniques and materials and an examination of the floor, identifying any areas of damage.

The condition of the floor is then documented through photos, reports, and sketches where appropriate.  This serves as a valuable reference throughout the restoration process and ensures that all historical details are understood and preserved.

There are some cases where the floor will need to be removed temporarily to address any structural issues.  Each section of floor will be careful labelled and stored so that it is replaced back to its original position and orientation.  Additionally, flooring may need to be re-laid if wooden boards have shrunk, often as a result of central heating which removes moisture from the air.  Damaged sections of timber will be repaired using traditional methods which are sympathetic and appropriate for the type of material.  It is a priority of ours to conserve as much of the original timber as possible and only replace that which is beyond repair.

The final stage involves applying a suitable finish, such as oil or wax to provide protection to the restored floor and ensure the correct aesthetic is achieved.

As with all heritage projects, timber floor restoration is not without its challenges.  Finding suitable materials and skilled craftspeople can be difficult and we may find further issues once the floor has been taken up, which could not be seen previously.  However, with Quadriga’s vast experience, dedicated team of in-house specialists and commitment to tackling the skills shortage, we can restore these beautiful floors to their former glory, using time honoured techniques and appropriate repair methods.

If you have a historic floor you’d like some advice on please get in touch via our Contact Page.

Following the success of a heritage morning in Birmingham in 2019 and Leeds in 2023, we chose to organise a similar event in Liverpool, centred around the decarbonisation of built heritage, an area at the top of clients’ agendas.  This topic can be complex and intimidating with a plethora of information available but little clarity on what this means for the heritage sector in particular.  Therefore, this event offered a novel opportunity to learn from industry experts, all focused on demystifying this complex topic to reassure and empower attendees.

The morning was held at the stunning Grade I listed Liverpool Cathedral, in a key Northern Powerhouse city which is currently developing five times faster than London.  When we consider Liverpool’s ambitious Net Zero Carbon target of 2030, it’s clear that decarbonisation, restoration and improved thermal performance of the city’s traditional buildings needs to be top priority.

We were delighted to be joined by experts in the field of energy efficiency, decarbonisation and retrofit:

Quadriga Contracts Ltd (Lindsay Law: Managing Director) – Lindsay introduced the morning, discussing the urgency of the climate emergency and the pivotal role the decarbonisation of built heritage can play in meeting net zero targets.  The presentation covered embodied energy, the behaviour of traditional buildings and how a fusion between traditional craftsmanship and modern technology can provide solutions to the decarbonisation of built heritage.  She also set out the skills shortage currently facing the sector and how Quadriga are helping to tackle this through various initiatives.

AtkinsRéalis (Mark Postill: Decarbonomics Delivery Lead) – Mark introduced the innovative Decarbonomics platform and consultancy which provides solutions to building owners and portfolio managers looking to decarbonise their building stock. Mark focussed on the effective and sympathetic decarbonisation of built heritage and demonstrated how Carbon Data Insights can forecast future carbon and energy improvements by using existing data.  This innovative software will change the way carbon and energy considerations are considered in everyday strategic business cases and decision making

Selectaglaze Secondary Glazing (Darren Berryman: Sales Manager) – This presentation advised on all elements of secondary glazing in heritage buildings, including the creation of good specifications on projects requiring improved thermal performance.  Darren outlined the performance levels which can be achieved through the use of secondary glazing, its benefits, potential limitations and more technical aspects such as fixings and design considerations.

Lime Green (Dominic Putnam: Head of Marketing and Business Development) – This presentation covered Lime Green’s Warmshell internal wall insulation system which is designed to improve the thermal efficiency of traditional and solid masonry wall construction using natural wood fibre material.  Dominic provided a comprehensive overview of low carbon retrofit projects within the heritage sector and how Warmshell insulation can significantly improve the thermal performance of heritage buildings.

We hope that everyone left the event feeling empowered to tackle projects requiring the decarbonisation of built heritage and made some valuable contacts and connections in the process.  The feedback received was very positive and we’re looking forward to running more events like this in the future, as net zero targets loom.

If you would like to be kept updated on events and don’t already receive emails from us, please get in touch with Laura Brown on laurab@quadrigaltd.com to ensure you don’t miss out on future events.  You can also join the Heritage and Conservation Networking LinkedIn Group using the link below.

https://www.linkedin.com/groups/8682099/

In November we hosted two breakfast seminars and were joined by Crittall Windows in Birmingham on November 12th and DHW Joinery in Manchester on November 13th.

Crittall are the original steel window manufacturer founded in 1884 in Essex and are often specified for projects concerning historic buildings. You can see Crittall Windows on a number of notable buildings including The Houses of Parliament, Coventry Cathedral and Yale University in the USA.   Peter Davies of Crittall gave an in depth presentation on the history, development and use of the steel windows particularly in heritage restoration projects along with some impressive case studies.

The following day we were joined by Sharon Wright, Suzanne Whitham and Michael Cotler of David H Wright Joinery in Leeds, founded in 1989 and specialising in wooden windows and doors, particularly for heritage projects. The presentation covered the use of timber windows on heritage projects including understanding how to replace timber windows to specifications required by conservation officers. There was also a raffle where three lucky attendees won a gift from Hotel Chocolat – this definitely went down well!

As with all the seminars, they were free to attend and breakfast was provided and as always there was too much food (we’ll be giving everyone party bags of breakfast to take home next time!)

A huge thank you to the presenters and to everyone who attended. Our next events are the Christmas walks in Manchester and Birmingham which sold out in record time so apologies if you missed out on them.

We’re busy working on a calendar of seminars for next year so if you have any ideas or topics you would like to see covered, let us know by sending an email to laurab@quadrigaltd.com

If you would like to be kept updated and don’t already receive emails from us, please get in touch to ensure you don’t miss out on future events. You can also join the Heritage and Conservation Networking LinkedIn Group  by clicking here