As I have probably pointed out before in other blogs and case studies, 99% of our work is on listed buildings, or those that lay within the parameters of conservation protocol. We always like to do things properly and invest many days per project solely focusing on the correct practice. This early 19th Century millworkers cottage is not a listed building, nor in a conservation area, which is quite rare here in the South Hams District of Devon.
Almost all the buildings in the area have been either cement rendered, cement pointed or reroofed with man-made composite slates. All the modernised elements to this lovely ancient area are starting to fail causing detrimental damage to the buildings and it is sympathetic homeowners, like ours on this project, that are required to rejuvenate the heart and lungs of their properties.
Starting with the heart, we were tasked with slate cladding the 3 elevations but not to make it look all new and shiny, but to serve a purpose of weather protection with a method that would likely have been adopted a century ago. Our clients chose a nice old, weathered slate which consisted mostly of Delabole from Cornwall and Westmorland Greens from the Lake District. The Random width slates were laid with diminishing courses which started with 16” long slates and finished with 10” long slates.
The southwest gable is a rather large panel so not being a listed building we had the freedom to create something a little unique. After much deliberation our clients chose a sun like pattern and trusted us to complete it in an artistic, yet subtle way. For this pattern we used new Delabole slates and the contrast from new to old gave a lovely balanced looking detail.
After completing the slate work to the first-floor elevations and gable, we moved onto the ground floor, the lungs. The gable was plastered in a few coats of cementitious render and even a [un] healthy dashing of bitumen to the faces of the lovely whim stones beneath. The wall had been built with skill and elegance originally, so exposing the 200-year-old craftmanship was a delight. We cleaned it all back with the help of our trusty needle gun and repointed with lime mortar, leaving the stones to complete the wonderful transformation of this cottage.
The transformation on this project has been one of the year’s highlights and we could not have asked for a better finish. It fills me with pride every time I walk down the lane to the cottage and seeing it all come into view. The whole team at Heritage Roofing Southwest have put their heart and soul into this project and I truly hope that the photos do it justice.
