Coulon Stone are your trusted stonemason for all church projects
Temples, churches and other religious structures are places of pilgrimage for most people. They are also a source of great inspiration for the faithful, and they can be a test of the community’s endurance. Churches and temples are built to last, but they have their weaknesses, just like any other structure. That’s why a trusted stonemason is so important.
Many hundreds of churches have been completed over the years, with the majority of these remaining as important and valued assets for their congregations and local communities. Sadly, due to various factors, up to 30% of churches in the UK are said to be in a poor state of repair. If a church has remained in a poor state of repair, the local community will likely have begun to lose some of its sense of pride and ownership.
The history of church and cathedral stone
The history of our UK cathedrals spans a millennium, with our oldest dating back to the 1100s. With a wide range of architectural styles, cathedrals have been a symbol of the dominance of Britain since their conception. With bright colours and elaborate interiors, these places of worship have been used as a place of safety, worship, stables and even prisons!
In order to understand the importance of our historic churches and cathedrals, we need to understand the materials they are made from and how to stay in keeping with their materials when conducting restoration projects. Generally, these places of worship have a timber frame or stone-built structure and traditional materials such as stone, older brick timber and earth are used around the framework. These materials must be matched by a trusted stonemason, to protect the building’s heritage when undertaking a restoration.
Stone, older brick and timber are soft and absorbent, meaning the building can breathe and move. Churches and cathedrals are then paired with complementary plaster and joints such as lime mortars or plaster, allowing the building to breathe and move slightly. Modern materials would provide a solid and inflexible barrier that does not allow the building to breathe or move when conducting a restoration project. This may, in turn, lead to cracks and breaks in the building. Although modern materials may be more cost-effective, this is not in keeping with the current building structure and should be avoided.
You surely will have seen the incredible features our churches and cathedrals hold, including lead flashing, valleys and even stone gargoyles. These stone gargoyles are there to keep water away from the walls and protect the building.
Common issues with church and cathedral stone
It is unfortunately inevitable that these historic buildings are likely to need some vital work throughout their lives to remain standing, safe and beneficial to their local communities. Property managers will face several common issues when managing a church or cathedral.
Compromised joints
Lime mortar is often used to build church joints. If this lime mortar is compromised in any way, water will be able to get into the building and can cause damage to the surrounding materials as well as the interior of the building.
Holes in the structure/brickwork
These historic buildings are, of course, ancient in most cases, and it’s natural to patch up holes that have appeared over time. Lime mortar will eventually perish, leaving holes in the brickwork. Any cavities or cracks in the building must be fixed immediately to avoid further damage.
Cracked or damaged features
As previously discussed, the features in a church or cathedral, whilst elegant, are also there for a purpose. If you have damage to your gargoyles or cracks in your interior stone features, it’s essential to get these fixed by a trusted stonemason as soon as possible.
Roofing damage
Another common issue for these historic buildings is roofing damage. Whether that’s from lead that has come loose or falling tiles, churches are often undergoing work on their roof to keep it stable, watertight and safe.
A trusted stonemasons church restoration projects
Church restoration experts are skilled in the art of church restoration. There is an art to restoring churches, not just a science. Restoration experts must have a deep understanding of historical architecture and work with one hand tied behind their back. Few experts can handle the stress of working on a church restoration. Even fewer can do it well.
Coulon Stone has worked with various churches across the Chilterns since our conception over 30 years ago. Our stone mason experts are true master craftsmen in their trade. From the Holy Trinity in Bledlow to All Saints in High Wycombe, our team knows there is nothing more important than restoring a project sympathetically and carefully to bring it back to its former glory.
Coulon Stone can help your church restoration project in 2022
The truth is, churches are the cornerstone of many communities. As such, they need the best restoration services a community can offer. This can be both challenging and overwhelming for the average congregation to complete independently. That’s why working with a trusted stonemason on your church restoration in 2022 is so important.
When you hire Coulon Stone to work on your church restoration, you can rest assured that you’re getting the best of stonemason services. We’ve been in the business for over 30 years, and we’ve worked on church restoration projects of all shapes and sizes. At Coulon Stone, we can do everything from repairing your church’s foundation to building new stone walls. Our stonemason service doesn’t just stop at churches, either.
Give Coulon Stone a call today to discuss your church restoration project for 2022.
This may also interest you:
Officially A Low Carbon Workspace
Updating Your Fireplace? Ideas to Inspire You.
Beautiful natural stone buildings around the world