The Forestry Forum

General Forestry => Timber Framing/Log construction => Topic started by: WDH on January 24, 2017, 08:23:06 PM

Title: Restoring a Civil War Era barn in Middle Georgia
Post by: WDH on January 24, 2017, 08:23:06 PM
Not sure how old the original barn is, but it is older than sawmill technology.  All of the original logs/beams were hand hewn on two faces.  No saw marks, just axe marks.  The roof had failed, and many of the original logs were rotten.  I sawed out some 6" thick beams to replace the back wall of this old barn.  In the pic, all 7 of the beams in the back wall (leftmost wall in the pic) were sawn from my blue pine.  The owner put 3 steel wool pads in a gallon of white vinegar and treated the bottom four beams.  This gave the them an old weathered appearance.  In the pic, the original wall is the rightmost wall.  The new wall is the leftmost one.  The match on the bottom four beams is incredibly good.



 (https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/14370/IMG_1744~0.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1485306577)

The sides and back shed walls were done with my blue pine live edge slabs sawn at 1 1/8" thick.  In this pic, they have not been treated yet with the steel wool and vinegar solution.



 (https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/14370/IMG_1746~0.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1485306633)

This is a really cool project.  The owner has a second barn to restore, even in worse shape.  The progress so far looks very nice. 



Title: Re: Restoring a Civil War Era barn in Middle Georgia
Post by: danreed76 on January 24, 2017, 09:47:12 PM
That is a really cool project!  It's great to see one of these old barns salvaged and preserved. 

Is that just some rocks on the corners for foundation?
Title: Re: Restoring a Civil War Era barn in Middle Georgia
Post by: fishpharmer on January 24, 2017, 09:59:10 PM
Nice seeing someone putting the time and effort into restoring very old structures.   8)
Title: Re: Restoring a Civil War Era barn in Middle Georgia
Post by: BigZ La on January 24, 2017, 11:28:20 PM
That's truly a job I would love to do. Old barns are just great.
Title: Re: Restoring a Civil War Era barn in Middle Georgia
Post by: WDH on January 25, 2017, 02:05:54 PM
Dan,

Yes, rocks. 
Title: Re: Restoring a Civil War Era barn in Middle Georgia
Post by: Savannahdan on January 25, 2017, 02:51:37 PM
Glad you posted this.  My SIL has a client wanting him to work on an old barn and other outbuildings on an old plantation and wants them to have the aged look.  They have asked me to help.  I've used the vinegar-steel wool technique on a smaller scale.  Thanks and keep the pictures coming.
Title: Re: Restoring a Civil War Era barn in Middle Georgia
Post by: Mooseherder on January 25, 2017, 03:33:09 PM
Barnwood Builders would be proud to know you. :)
Title: Re: Restoring a Civil War Era barn in Middle Georgia
Post by: WDH on January 25, 2017, 03:48:21 PM
The dovetails are not as tight as the Barnwood builders, but they are still very nice.  Sherman could probably do better, but the owners are doing the work themselves, and are very excited about the results. 
Title: Re: Restoring a Civil War Era barn in Middle Georgia
Post by: 123maxbars on March 11, 2017, 09:19:23 AM
thanks for sharing, a great project you have gotten into, love old barns,
Title: Re: Restoring a Civil War Era barn in Middle Georgia
Post by: scsmith42 on March 11, 2017, 01:06:56 PM
Very cool Danny!

Last year we did some work for the State Fairgrounds in NC.  They had some reclaimed chestnut beams that were 24' long and we cleaned them up to serve as sill plates on a new project.

It's fun working with the old stuff.
Title: Re: Restoring a Civil War Era barn in Middle Georgia
Post by: Bruno of NH on March 11, 2017, 01:43:04 PM
Nice work got to love that blue pine :)