Repairing Bay Window Columns

bpk101

Does anyone know what these decorative concrete (plaster?) columns are called either side of the main bay windows found on Victorian terraced properties:





I’m renovating my house and would like to repair, re-render and decorate all concrete areas around the windows including the window-sills and these decorative columns which are in very poor condition.

My builder has recommended we replace the columns rather than try to repair them as the decorative detail has already been greatly lost due to past repairs by previous owners.

Any idea what they’re called or where I might head for traditional looking replacements?

Thanks

jhs14

Do you mean they are in poor condition structurally? Visually I'd say they look fine for their age and could take the further loss of definition caused by a few more coats of paint.

Doozergirl

I agree with above. They need a really good decorator on them and stripping back.

You'd be lottery winning lucky to find a replacement without having a stonemason construct new ones.

Spend your money on wood framed windows!

leveller2911

Are they concrete?, when I've replaced wooden sash windows on similar houses the pilasters were stone. They look in good condition, if they are I would try and take off all the paint which will make the carvings more crisp and leave them natural.

Don't forget those pilasters may be structural........

I agree with Doozergirl, those pilasters derserve to have wooden sash windows behind them......

bpk101

Good advice all, thanks!

I have no idea what material they are, but yes I presume stone... no idea why our builder is suggesting he repairs with 'exterior grey concrete filler'?! Perhaps he is referring to just the window sills which need a lot more TLC:

http://bpkersey.com/images/front-bay-1.jpg

Should he be using concrete for the sills? Or a breathable lime based render as suggested elsewhere?

With regards to the pillars then, do you think it's just layers of paint on them that have caused the detail to get lost? And stripping back the paint will reveal this detail again?

For reference this is a neighbours property with sills and pillars repaired that we'd love to emulate:

http://bpkersey.com/images/front-bay-02.jpg

leveller2911

bpk101 wrote: »

Should he be using concrete for the sills? Or a breathable lime based render as suggested elsewhere?

If they are concrete or stone I think cement repairs are fine.It doesn't need to breathe so lime render would be pointless.

With regards to the pillars then, do you think it's just layers of paint on them that have caused the detail to get lost? And stripping back the paint will reveal this detail again?

Yes, decades of paint layers will take the crispness off the mouldings.

For reference this is a neighbours property with sills and pillars repaired that we'd love to emulate:

http://bpkersey.com/images/front-bay-02.jpg

Nice wooden sash windows too, I've lost count of the number of sash windows I've made over the years and I love them.

Strip off the paint layers and a decent decorator (not a general builder with a paintbrush) will make them look lovely.........

Doozergirl

I can't stress enough the importance of completely stripping back first. You'll probably find that they don't need nearly as much filling as thought.

And yes, a decorator. Not a builder.

Don't aim for the cills to be too straight like the neighbours. It looks a bit contrived.

bpk101

Sound advice... I was getting nervous about letting my builder loose on the more decorative aspects of this project, he does seem to suggest the strangest solutions (replacing the pillars?!)

Yes I was confused by someone else's comments re: lime based masonry mortar, I couldn't understand why a windowsill had to breathe?!

We're definitely having wooden sash windows put in, sadly not till next year though

Doozergirl

I can't get my head around the order in which you are renovating this house. Did the builder not offer advice as to what is sensible? I'm worried about them.

bpk101

Doozergirl wrote: »

I can't get my head around the order in which you are renovating this house. Did the builder not offer advice as to what is sensible? I'm worried about them.

What do you mean?

We started top to bottom, electrics + plumbing... plastering... woodwork...

We now have some decorative work to do on the facade. Wrong order?

Doozergirl

Extension, new windows and loft conversion still to come? Plastering in most places comes after that lot. You will wreck half of what you've done, especially as the design hasn't been done.

Haven't you got a ceiling to come down, but you've got second fix plumbing in and new skirting on?