Historic Building Restoration
Britain’s rich history is both fascinating and intriguing, drawing interest from locals and tourists alike. Historic buildings play a huge part in this global fascination, and therefore in British culture as a whole. We are well known for our royal palaces and castles, ancient churches and stately homes, which is why we place such importance in historic building restoration for future generations to enjoy.
What is Restoration?
Historic building restoration involves repairing buildings so that they are accurate representations of a specific period. The aim of restoration is not to modernise old buildings, but to return them to their former glory.
As much of the original construction as possible should be left untouched, with replacements and repairs serving to bring back what used to be present and is now missing. Any modern materials that are used should be concealed, so that the building appears exactly as it would have done in the period to which it has been restored.
Why use natural stone?
Natural stone is a vital material for many restoration projects. After all, the vast majority of our most iconic buildings are constructed from stone with some dating right back to Roman times. To restore historical stone buildings that have become dilapidated and run down over time, it is imperative that the materials used are in keeping with the original construction, which is why natural stone is so widely used in restoration projects.
The wonderful thing about natural stone is that it can be carved to look similar to existing stone blocks. Blocks can be rustic and have an uneven finish, so as not to look too perfect and new. As there is no strict uniformity in stone, any minor discrepancies only serve to add to the authenticity of the stonework.
Another aspect of natural stone is that gradual weathering will bring the look of any exterior work in line with the existing stone. Doulting Stone may start as a yellowish-cream colour, but will eventually develop a grey tinge, that will fit in well with the original material.
Contact us
Doulting Stone has been used for many restoration projects, and our masons are fully qualified to craft our stone to your required design. If you would like more information about Doulting Stone, and how it could fit in with your historic building restoration project, please contact us on 01749 880608.