Directory of Traditional Building Skills - Mourne Heritage Trust

4 IRONMONGERY and METALWORKEarly door and window furniture originated with the local craftsmen, blacksmiths and metalworkers, and so are often unique to an area. Factory made ironmongery gradually evolved untilthe Victorian era when a complex variety of door and window fittings were mass produced.Many of these are again available as some firms specialise in exact reproductions of theoriginal.Old door furniture can be restored and if the locks fail to match modern security requirementsa discreetly placed deadlock can supplement them without interfering with the character.Replacement ironmongery and fittings must be chosen carefully to match the period of thebuilding.In most traditional buildings gutters and downpipes are of cast iron, usually with either a halfround or ogee faced box section. Although long lasting, cast iron eventually rusts away at thejoints and owners often find that their gutters leak and are difficult to repair. Replacement inPVC or extruded aluminium is not the answer for old buildings though some cast aluminiumsystems do match the details correctly and eliminate the maintenance problems of cast iron. Onhistoric buildings there is no substitute for replacement in new cast iron which is available withall the fittings, brackets and hoppers to match the original. One common problem is whenguttering in one terrace house need to be replaced for it is difficult to patch an existing gutter.Some firms specialise in glass fibre based junction pieces for those awkward areas and this canavoid the replacement of guttering that is otherwise adequate.Stonework often has hidden metal fixings, cramps and ties and these are invariably of ironrather than the more stable bronze. Damp penetration over the years rusts these fixings and theyexpand which causes the stone to crack and explode. Extensive replacement with stainless steelfixings may be necessary in serious cases but good maintenance of pointing and flashings canprevent serious problems occurring.Restoration of industrial machinery is becoming more widespread and with it the recognitionof the specialist repair and maintenance skills involved. It requires a unique blend of artistryand craft to manufacture replacement parts from the most basic of materials and to reassemblelong disused machinery into working order. It is important to ensure that this machinery worksthereby keeping the skills alive.Metal balustrades, balconies, gates, railings, windows, rooflights, light brackets and a host ofother fittings can be repaired or reproduced. Specialist companies produce exact copies fromVictorian catalogues and skilled metal workers can repair or recast broken or missing pieces.See also Appendix 1: Further reading – p. 14986