Bouwkundige detailleringen bakstenen molens ... - Monumenten.nl

Summary
Over the past decades of the last century a number of architectural elements have been
added to various historic fired clay brick windmills in the Netherlands in an attempt to mitigate
rain penetration problems. Sometimes “anti-penetration” measures such as the application of
water repellents or the application of dense cement repointing and interior plasters rather
aggravated than solved the leakage problems.
In the same period alterations were applied to the architectural details of windows and doors
as an answer to increasing comfort demands of the users: reduction of water penetration and
draught. As a result of these measures the natural ventilation in the mills diminished. However
even a more significant negative effect on the natural ventilation was caused by changes in
the presence of the miller: in former times a daily presence by a professional miller; nowadays
one or two days per week by volunteer-miller(s).
In case the mills are still inhabited interior spaces are often separated for living areas from
milling functions. These type of architectural changes may as well influence the moisture
transport in the walls of the mills by considerable reduction of the interior ventilation.
In this study an analysis is given of the effectiveness of architectural measures which were
taken with a view to mitigate rain penetration problems. A mayor conclusion is that
improvement of ventilation (in combination with the application of “breathing” materials) is
the most effective way to diminish rain leakage discomfort.
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