Victorian Vandalism

[mondopete]

I've got a late Victorian terrace that was subjected to several acts of vandalism by previous owner(s), the worst of which was, as in image attached, adding 1930's style tiles to the front of the bay. Question is - what am I likely to find if I attempt to take these off? Will it be a wooden frame attached to the original brick, or will they have added layers of render etc to build it up to this shape? Advice from anyone who's had previous experience of these would be most welcome.

http://www.diynot.com/network/mondopete/albums/

 

[TheVictorian]

Originally it would probably have been brick over the original pillars (like the house to the right). However, the UPVC frame wouldnt support that weight very well so it may have been replaced with timber work.

Does it sound hollow or solid when you tap it from the inside.

 

[mondopete]

Thanks! That's interesting. Hadn't thought of that. Although the windows are actually wooden frames. There appear to be two layers of tiles, so it's fairly solid sounding also there's mortar in the gaps which makes it more solid. At the bottom of the "skirt" there's a wooden panel to fill the gap between the bottom of the lowest row of tiles and top of window frames. Several of the houses in this street seem to have had this done, presumably at the same time. I'm not aware of any that have removed the tiles, or none that I've seen in process of doing so.

From inside the room it does sound hollow rather than solid brick which I guess supports the notion that there's a wooden frame under it rather than the original brick.

 

[ree]

The RH neighbour's bay presumably has masonry pillars supporting the stone lintels and upper bay? Your original bay may have been totally removed up to the pediment. Your timber mullions would not support similar masonry.

The skirt effect of the bottom courses of plain tile is a simple construction technique.

What is your purpose in investigating the bay construction? Have you just bought this house?

There are a number of other things that i noticed, if you are interested then come back here.

 

[mondopete]

Thanks. I was just exploring the feasibility of removing the tiles as I don't like them and don't think they add anything to the house. But by the sound of it, there'll be a wooden frame and a big hole underneath them, so maybe not such an easy job.

 

[ree]

The job of removing the tiles is simplicity in itself - the thing is, what then?

FWIW: Carefully removed, the second hand tiles can easily be sold on.

 

[mondopete]

Indeed!

 

[geraldthehamster]

I've got a late Victorian terrace that was subjected to several acts of vandalism by previous owner(s), the worst of which was, as in image attached, adding 1930's style tiles to the front of the bay. Question is - what am I likely to find if I attempt to take these off? Will it be a wooden frame attached to the original brick, or will they have added layers of render etc to build it up to this shape? Advice from anyone who's had previous experience of these would be most welcome.

http://www.diynot.com/network/mondopete/albums/[/QUOTE]

Do you have a budget for this? I'd be tempted to get a quote from a builder to rebuild the bays as original. It might cost less than you think. Get replacement double glazed timber sash windows made up as well. Which will cost more than you think. Likely to add to the value of the house though.

Alternatively, and in the light of what ree says, leave the tiles but replace the windows. In my opinion the windows look worse than the tiles...

Cheers
Richard

 

[mondopete]

Thanks for that. Yes, windows number one on the list.