We are using stone surrounds for all of the window openings. Just as it would have been in the original cottage. We have removed some of the newer “Artstone” window surrounds and replaced them with ashlar. Artstone is a man-made aggregate product (a posh name for concrete!).
Unfortunately, one of the window surrounds at the rear of the property seems to have developed a very blotchy appearance. We have decided to return it to the quarry and not pay for it. It will be replaced with new stone from a different quarry (the same one we have used for the other ashlar windows that have not developed a fault).
While the ashlar has been removed, the masonry above is held in place using 3 acrows with “strong boys” (metal platforms) attached. It doesn’t look great, but the new ashlar should be back in place on Monday. Just in time for the new windows to be fitted.
This looks a bit precarious with 3 acrows holding up the masonry above, but I am told it is quite safe. All the faulty ashlar has been removed and the new cill has been fitted. We need to let the mortar set on the new cill before fitting the rest of the ashlar.
This was fitted about 3 weeks ago and in the last week or so has turned all blotchy. It is going back to the quarry and the replacement ashlar has already (from a different quarry).
We have replaced a number of the ashlar window surrounds and this is the first to go “blotchy”. It wasn’t like this when we put it in, but it looks as if there is something in the stone that has oxidised over time.