This volume, Timber, deals with wide-ranging use of the material in historic buildings, from vast structural timber-frames through to high-class joinery and simple fixings. Particular attention is paid to how and why timber decays or faults occur, and the methods of assessing and dealing with this. The bulk of the book covers appropriate methods of repair and maintenance.
Contents: About this book; Using these books; Part I Materials and History of Use: Wood: biology and properties; Conversion and seasoning; Water and dimensional stability; Traditional tools and working methods. Part II Deterioration and Damage: Insects and fungi; Environmental problems; Other causes of deterioration. Part III Assessment: Understanding buildings and their condition; Structural timbers; Non-structural timbers (joinery); Fixings and hardware; Specialist investigations. Part IV Repair and treatment: Introduction; Timber-frame structures; Preservative pre-treatments' Adhesives, fillers and fastenings; Insect infestation and fungal decay; Upgrading historic buildings to meet modern standards. Part V Care and Maintenance: Continuing care; Conclusions; Glossary; Index.