Historic England

Since the original series of Practical Building Conservation appeared in 1988, it has become a standard reference for those caring for historic buildings, large and small: essential reading for architects, surveyors, and building managers, as well as conservators. This new and much expanded set of 10 volumes has been updated to provide a fully comprehensive reference featuring the latest techniques...

Practical Building Conservation: Building Environment examines the interaction between building materials and systems and their surroundings, exploring how this interaction may lead to deterioration. It offers methods for assessing remedial treatments, ensuring that each intervention is carefully considered. The book includes valuable discussions on occupant health, emphasising the importance of creating safe and healthy indoor environments. Additionally, it addresses the...

A great deal of research and literature has been produced on repairing concrete structures but very little aimed at conserving the character or appearance of historic examples. Practical Building Conservation: Concrete offers guidance as to how that should be done. It includes a brief history of the use of the material and explains the criteria for listing before assessing decay...

Conservation Basics examines the evolving theories and principles that underpin building conservation in England in the 21st century, and looks at their application in practice. The process of conservation planning for the maintenance and repair of historic buildings and places is described in detail, and is illustrated through case studies. Topics include understanding and assessment, surveys and recording, ecological considerations,...

Practical Building Conservation: Earth, Brick and Terracotta deals with fired and unfired clay products. It considers their technological evolution, the processes causing deterioration and how these should be assessed, and the methods used for their repair and maintenance.

Practical Building Conservation: Glass and Glazing explores the conservation of one of the most important building materials, focusing on its application in windows, roofing, and walling. This book delves into the technological evolution of glass and glazing systems and discusses the processes that lead to deterioration. It offers insights into the practical application and long-term implications of common conservation materials...

Practical Building Conservation: Metals addresses the conservation of a group of materials integral to the construction industry, used for everything from structural components and fixings to weatherproofing, repairs, and decoration. The book covers both iron-based and non-ferrous metals, such as copper, bronze, and lead. It examines technological evolution, deterioration processes, and the practical application and long-term implications of the common...

Practical Building Conservation: Mortars, Renders and Plasters provides a broad perspective of contemporary conservation theory and practice not otherwise found in one publication. It describes the history, physical properties, and deterioration of these important materials. Methods of assessing condition and evaluating options for treatment and repair are discussed, together with a range of practical conservation techniques and maintenance strategies.

Practical Building Conservation: Roofing explores traditional roof coverings used on historic buildings. Many materials and systems have been utilized to provide roof coverings, and the book offers insight into their technological evolution, the processes causing deterioration, and methods for assessing problems and solutions. Furthermore, the book addresses repairs, maintenance, and the conflicts that arise with modern practices. Practical Building Conservation:...

Practical Building Conservation: Stone considers the wide variety of historical uses, from simple masonry walling through to elaborate carving and decoration. The book explores why stone decays or fails and how to assess and understand the causes. It then focuses on the practical methods of treatment, repair, and maintenance.