The purlins are the pieces of timber that run horizontally from the end walls to the A frame truss that is in the middle of each of the properties. Each cottage has 8 purlns – 4 each side of the truss. Therefore, there are 24 in total. Unfortunately, 6 need to be replaced – 4 were cracked and 2 were replacements (probably sometime in the last 50-60 years, but done poorly).
The first challenge is to find replacement timber. This can be difficult as the woodwork is going to be exposed when the property is finished so it all needs to (sort of) match. Given that the existing timbers are a bit “rough and ready”, we needed something similar. The new timbers came from a reclamation yard in Preston (although the timbers themselves originated from France).
Using the old timbers as a pattern, the new timbers are cut to length and the end spigot cut to match the old.
Then it is a case of getting the new timber in place using the telehandler and fitting the timber. The carpenter is taking all of this in his stride and we are getting 2 purlins replaced each day.
The next job will be to replace the tie beam (the bottom beam on the king post truss) in the middle cottage. Fingers crossed and with some fine weather, this could happen towards the end of the week.
Then all the timber will be sandblasted and treated before the roof goes back on.
There are 24 purlins in total in the property. Unfortunately, 6 of them had to be replaced.