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PAST PROJECTS :: 
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These are projects undertaken by
CHRIS JAMES STONEMASONRY
stone conservation specialist
:: GALLERY ::
:: STONE WINDOW ::
:: LUDLOW CASTLE ::
:: OAK WINDOW ::
:: STONE STAIRCASE & ARCHWAY ::
:: THE OLD CHAPEL – lime mortar pointing ::
:: THE BELL TOWER – restoration ::
:: St DAVID'S – mullioned window restoration ::
:: HERMITAGE – rebuilding ::
:: THE OLD COURT HOUSE, SIBDON CASTLE
– restoring dressed masonry ::
:: LOGGIA & GARDEN WALLS ::
:: DRYSTONE & MORTARED WALLS ::
:: ARCHWAY ::
:: STONE STAIRS ::
:: FIREPLACE ::
:: STONE SEATS ::
:: Lime Mortar Pointing ::
:: BARN Restoration ::
:: OAK DOORWAY ::
Some rebuilding and restoration projects I worked on for other people
before I set up my own business:
:: HEREFORD CATHEDRAL ::
:: KEBLE COLLEGE, Oxford ::
:: LODGE PARK ::
:: PERSHORE ABBEY ::
:: POWYS CASTLE ::
:: THE HENDRE ::
:: BALL FINIALS :: FOUNTAIN :: URN ::
Click on any thumbnail below to see a larger image - this may take time to load!
You can get in touch with us by phone/fax – 01591 620441
or by email
:: GALLERY ::
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The build (left) and after limewashing
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:: STONE WINDOW ::
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:: LUDLOW CASTLE ::
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:: OAK WINDOW ::
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Before … and after
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:: STONE STAIRCASE & ARCHWAY ::
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:: THE OLD CHAPEL – lime mortar pointing ::
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The old mortar pointing on the west wall (above) had eroded away with time and the Welsh weather. We carefully removed the old mortar, leaving a very weak structure, which required some re-building and 'deep pointing' before it was ready for fresh pointing, using a closely matched sand to re-create the original mortar mix. The whole process took just under three weeks and transformed the appearance of the chapel's west wall.
The owners were quite pleased that it also stopped the rain and wind from roaring through! We have been asked back to work on the other three walls as time and schedules allow. The lime mortar we use is a copy of the original and, unlike modern, cement-based mixes, it allows the walls to move slightly without cracking. It also permits some degree of moisture to pass through the wall without trapping it and causing damp areas, which would eventually erode the stone away.
You can see more of the nature of the problem we faced by visiting
The Old Chapel's own website
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:: THE BELL TOWER – restoration ::
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The masonry had deteriorated very badly. Our job was to transform the tower into a sound structure, retaining as much of the old material as possible. After dismantling it, we found the tower to be in an even worse condition than we had first thought. So it was decided to replace the whole of the pyramid structure, except for the finial.
For this work we used Forest of Dean stone, which provides a good colour and texture match. This was sawn into square and rectangular blocks and then shaped in our workshops.
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:: St DAVID'S – mullioned window restoration ::
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Our objective was to copy and re-make the original mullioned windows. This involved replacing the keystones, springers and jambs as well as the mullions.
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:: HERMITAGE – rebuilding ::
We rebuilt an old pigsty, raising the roof level and fixing in new moulded oak windows and doors.
Most of the oak we used had been air-dried for five years, or more. 'Green' oak tends to shrink, twist and move, leaving gaps and black, acid stains from the sap.
Sorry - no pictures available!
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:: THE OLD COURT HOUSE, SIBDON CASTLE
– restoring dressed masonry ::
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The Old Courthouse is built of a local sandstone, which is high in clay content. This clay has deteriorated to the extent that 50–60% needed to be restored and/or replaced.
Our work concerned dressed masonry doors, windows and jambs
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