The Georgian Manor - Self Build Thread
Discussion
I can see what you are trying to do, but it's just not quite there imo. I'm a big fan of period architecture especially when used in todays designs, but it needs to be done right.
For a "Georgian" house to look right (or any house for that matter), a lot as to do with the proportions. Whats the width/length of the house?
To be fair, a decent Architect could make it look spot on with a number of amendments.
By the way, when did the window tax get reintroduced?
I never understand why new houses have this detail - it drives me insane!
Haddonstone, I assume is cast stone? If you are trying to achieve a Grand House, you need to use proper materials i.e. natural stone. Past experience with cast stone is that it turns green over time and never looks right imo.
Where abouts in the UK are you?
For a "Georgian" house to look right (or any house for that matter), a lot as to do with the proportions. Whats the width/length of the house?
To be fair, a decent Architect could make it look spot on with a number of amendments.
By the way, when did the window tax get reintroduced?
I never understand why new houses have this detail - it drives me insane! Haddonstone, I assume is cast stone? If you are trying to achieve a Grand House, you need to use proper materials i.e. natural stone. Past experience with cast stone is that it turns green over time and never looks right imo.
Where abouts in the UK are you?
Woody3 said:
Haddonstone, I assume is cast stone? If you are trying to achieve a Grand House, you need to use proper materials i.e. natural stone. Past experience with cast stone is that it turns green over time and never looks right imo.
Where abouts in the UK are you?
I'm going to dispute that.Where abouts in the UK are you?
Cast stone has been in use since the late 18th century. Apart from the large cost difference it has the same properties as natural stone and will weather the same as natural stone as it is actually.... stone.
I don't know where the stone you refer to comes from but in my experience we have never had clients come back to say it had turned green.
As an example, a large property we supplied with Portland white stone some ten years ago came on the market last year and looked as good as the day it was built.
http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/prope...
Edited by kuro on Wednesday 7th February 01:00
I can't remember who the supplier was, but the cast stone had gone green with like an algae type substance. Admittedly it was in a sheltered area of the building, but the brickwork around was fine.
More recently when we priced up for some heads, jambs and sills there wasn't much difference between natural and manmade, so we went with the former.
Don't get me wrong, cast stone as its place, but in my opinion I wouldn't use it for the window surrounds if I was in the OP's position.
More recently when we priced up for some heads, jambs and sills there wasn't much difference between natural and manmade, so we went with the former.
Don't get me wrong, cast stone as its place, but in my opinion I wouldn't use it for the window surrounds if I was in the OP's position.
Woody3 said:
I can't remember who the supplier was, but the cast stone had gone green with like an algae type substance. Admittedly it was in a sheltered area of the building, but the brickwork around was fine.
More recently when we priced up for some heads, jambs and sills there wasn't much difference between natural and manmade, so we went with the former.
Don't get me wrong, cast stone as its place, but in my opinion I wouldn't use it for the window surrounds if I was in the OP's position.
Say what you like but I'll stand by Thorverton stones products, the house in the link being a typical example. In addition to new builds our stone is also used on listed building restoration without issue. Start getting into anything more elaborate than plain sections is where you will see the price difference between natural and cast.More recently when we priced up for some heads, jambs and sills there wasn't much difference between natural and manmade, so we went with the former.
Don't get me wrong, cast stone as its place, but in my opinion I wouldn't use it for the window surrounds if I was in the OP's position.
That said, there are lesser products out there. A couple of years ago we were asked to replace all the window surrounds on a number of properties in Sussex as part of an insurance claim. Soon after the original suppliers surrounds were installed they started to act like a sponge, drawing water through the stone to the inside of the properties.
Edited by kuro on Wednesday 7th February 09:26
Woody3 said:
...the cast stone had gone green with like an algae type substance. Admittedly it was in a sheltered area of the building, but the brickwork around was fine.
Almost certainly more to do with the differing textures of the materials than any defect caused by artificial stone.Artificial stone is absolutely dreadful for coursed, rough-faced stonework (it is far too regular; the effect is cringeworthy to anyone with any architectural sensitivity), but it's just fine for finely dressed or moulded details like cills, label mouldings or ashlar work.
Just try to avoid my personal pet hate, which is a split down the middle of lintels (which, were they authentic would obviously prevent them working as lintels), frequently introduced these days to reduce the weight of individual components so that the Safety Elf doesn't get in a tiz over manual handling.
Only on Ph would you have comments around a 2500 sq/ft house being ‘small’.
Ignore the Ferrari driving, multiple (London) Home owning directors.
My favourite style of house, enjoy the build; although I would echo what another poster said in that the Georgian style Home should have the wow factor at the front / wings that envelop the driveway, I wouldn’t waste time / money / resources ensuring a continuous finish around the home! Unless of course other aspects are viewable from the drive.
Ignore the Ferrari driving, multiple (London) Home owning directors.
My favourite style of house, enjoy the build; although I would echo what another poster said in that the Georgian style Home should have the wow factor at the front / wings that envelop the driveway, I wouldn’t waste time / money / resources ensuring a continuous finish around the home! Unless of course other aspects are viewable from the drive.
Lord.Vader said:
Only on Ph would you have comments around a 2500 sq/ft house being ‘small’.
Ignore the Ferrari driving, multiple (London) Home owning directors.
I don't own a Ferrari and you wouldn't persuade me to live in London at any price. I will admit to being a Director... of an architectural practice.Ignore the Ferrari driving, multiple (London) Home owning directors.
The comments on size are not related to machismo or bragging rights. They are relevant to the architectural style. As has already been intimated, formal Georgian works (if done right) at the two extremes: either larger, grander houses, or as something that might pass itself off as a gate lodge or folly (<1,000ft2). In between, it's just naff pastiche.
Would you expect a 12 storey office block in the style of rural thatched cottage to work? Or an 'Arts and Crafts' court of law?
Equus said:
The comments on size are not related to machismo or bragging rights. They are relevant to the architectural style. As has already been intimated, formal Georgian works (if done right) at the two extremes: either larger, grander houses, or as something that might pass itself off as a gate lodge or folly (<1,000ft2). In between, it's just naff pastiche.
I believe all the below examples are around the 2,500ft2 and are a period example within 2 minutes walk along the same road as my plot. I dont think these are naff in anyway. There are numerous example of period properies around the size in the local area.The property will be as period as it can be on my budget. I do not desire a disney land copy of a jane austin film set prop. I work for one of the big house builders, we have a 'period' range and trust me none of these house types are what I desire.
Equus said:
Would you expect a 12 storey office block in the style of rural thatched cottage to work?
I think this would look brilliant. like this
but more storeys and with a thatched roof.can't be worse than that cladding stuff either.
Edited by travel is dangerous on Wednesday 7th February 12:51
Deangtv said:
kuro said:
I'm the estimator at Thorverton Stone in Devon. Send us an enquiry when you are ready and I'll be happy to price it up for you. We do a lot of bespoke work of this type. We are generally cheaper than Haddonstone but can match them for quality.
Good morning new best friend 
Deangtv said:
astroarcadia said:
A missed opportunity IMO.
Please enlighten me further??In my opinion if it can't be done true to the period - regardless of your budget - it should not be considered.
I would build something modern and creative.
Edited by astroarcadia on Wednesday 7th February 19:14
OP, I've trodden a similar path and say why not, if that's what you want.
You've identified that the risk is it can get a bit Disney, strangely a phrase I kept in my head when doing mine.
I agree that you can copy, possibly slightly scaled, similar sized Georgian properties. The facade should be reasonably straightforward to recreate as the skills and suppliers are still around. Although a reclaimed portico might be a good starting point. My kids cringed as I took a tape measure everywhere with me for years.
Internally I think the woodwork would be your biggest challenge, modern, machine shaped fast grown softwood isn't going to feel right.
There is a firm in St Pauls, Bristol who make coving as it was made then.
It can never be 'true', unless you're forgoing electricity and a bathroom, the important thing is where you draw the line.
I think a house with cavities, insulation and thin double glazing would be a pleasure to live in, and certainly more pleasant than some modern box that's going to be out of fashion before the acres of glazing get dirty.
You've identified that the risk is it can get a bit Disney, strangely a phrase I kept in my head when doing mine.
I agree that you can copy, possibly slightly scaled, similar sized Georgian properties. The facade should be reasonably straightforward to recreate as the skills and suppliers are still around. Although a reclaimed portico might be a good starting point. My kids cringed as I took a tape measure everywhere with me for years.
Internally I think the woodwork would be your biggest challenge, modern, machine shaped fast grown softwood isn't going to feel right.
There is a firm in St Pauls, Bristol who make coving as it was made then.
It can never be 'true', unless you're forgoing electricity and a bathroom, the important thing is where you draw the line.
I think a house with cavities, insulation and thin double glazing would be a pleasure to live in, and certainly more pleasant than some modern box that's going to be out of fashion before the acres of glazing get dirty.
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