Period Joinery & Carpentry

Period joinery encompasses all the timber elements that give historic interiors their character: doors and frames, windows, cupboards, built-in furniture, and decorative features. Creating new period joinery requires understanding of historic construction methods - how doors were made, which moulding profiles suit which era, and how joinery was traditionally finished. Restoration of existing joinery may involve careful repair of damaged sections, replication of missing elements, and sympathetic treatment of finishes. A skilled period joiner can reproduce any historic detail, matching existing work so repairs are invisible.

Timber-framed buildings, common from medieval times through to the 17th century, require specialist repair techniques. Traditional frames rely on large structural timbers joined with complex mortice-and-tenon joints, pegs, and ingenious carpentry solutions. Repairs may involve cutting out and splicing new timber into damaged sections, installing replacement posts or beams, and addressing the causes of decay. Skilled timber frame specialists understand the structural behaviour of these buildings and can make repairs that are both structurally sound and sympathetic to the historic fabric.

Wood rot - both wet rot and dry rot - is a common problem in period properties, typically caused by moisture ingress. Wet rot occurs in persistently damp timber and can usually be addressed by eliminating the moisture source and replacing affected timber. Dry rot (Serpula lacrymans) is more serious, able to spread through masonry and affect timber some distance from the visible outbreak. Treatment requires identifying and eliminating the moisture source, removing all affected timber plus a safety margin, and often chemical treatment of adjacent masonry. Early detection and proper treatment are essential to prevent extensive damage.

Skirting boards and architraves (the mouldings around doors and windows) are functional elements that protect wall surfaces and cover joints, but in period properties they're also decorative features with profiles characteristic of their era. Georgian skirting tends to be tall and simple, Victorian more elaborate with multiple elements, Edwardian returning to cleaner lines. Matching existing mouldings requires either hand-working or custom cutters for a spindle moulder. Standard mouldings from builders' merchants rarely match historic profiles accurately.

Timber wall panelling ranges from simple dado rails and chair rails to full-height raised panel designs. Period panelling adds elegance to any room while serving practical purposes - protecting walls from damage and improving thermal comfort. Restoration of existing panelling typically involves repairing damaged sections, addressing any damp or rot issues behind the panelling, and refinishing. New panelling can be designed to match existing rooms or in a style appropriate to the building's period. Authentic period panelling uses mortice-and-tenon construction, not modern MDF panels.

Historic staircases are complex structures combining engineering with artistry. Elements include strings, treads, risers, newel posts, balusters (spindles), handrails, and decorative carved details. Common problems include worn treads, broken or missing balusters, damaged handrails, and structural issues with strings or carriage pieces. A staircase specialist can repair individual elements, source or reproduce matching replacements, and address any structural concerns. Complete staircase restoration can transform a neglected feature into a property's centrepiece.

Internal folding shutters are a feature of Georgian and Victorian properties, providing security, insulation, and light control. Original shutters may be painted shut, missing, or damaged through neglect or inappropriate alteration. Restoring shutters involves freeing stuck panels, repairing broken hinges and catches, replacing damaged timber sections, and reinstating missing furniture. Where shutters are completely missing, new shutters can be made to fit existing shutter boxes, or complete new installations designed to suit the window proportions.