'Correct' shutters for a watermill?

[guyd]

Hi,

first post - be gentle

I have an old watermill in Somerset, which has been considerably mucked about with - the top storey was removed in 1910, and new floors put in at new heights - along with new windows (as in new holes, not new glass)

The windows that are still here (as opposed to replaced with 1980's bad double glazing) are leaded 4 x 4 or 3 x 4 rectangular, with black iron, slightly crude, locks.

The reveals are quite deep and some are angled out.

As is the custom round here, it is painted black.

Being a watermill, it never would have had shutters originally, (or a chimney for that matter....) - but we want to sympathetically add some sort of insulation / draughtproofing.

What do the members on here think we should do? I was thinking 'crude' board and batten style shutters, as this would be in keeping with a lower status house (the millars house itself would have been higher status).

The building originates from either 1722 or 1840 depending on who you listen to. Sadly all the records have been lost, and there is little to date accurately (the wheel is 1870+ with no makers name for example).

 

[Gareth Hughes]

Photos, as always, would help.

Have you tried

http://www.millsarchivetrust.org/index.php/ ?

 

[Feltwell]

Thread drift again, but I stumbled across this windmill the other day, complete with Barbie pink modern masonry paint over what I'd say is almost certainly cement render (as it was apparently "restored" in the 70's) and hideous chunky UPVC windows. It looks much worse in the flesh than it does in this picture

http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2122324

For the OP - I think you reach a point where a building has been bashed about so much that something like fitting shutters becomes purely a "what will look right" exercise, especially as it is an easily reversible alteration. But as Gareth says, pictures will help you get some opinions.

 

[guyd]

Thanks - theres a couple of pics on http://www.gotopia.co.uk under 'piccy's' :roll: (webby wife is dyslexic)....

As I said - the mill wouldnt have shutters - and it got converted from a mill to groom's quaters and stables in 1910 (ish) and to a house in 1980(ish).....

so do I want edwardian shutters as the windows themselves are Edwardian?

 

[Penners]

Gareth is your man on this topic. He is Lord High Panjandrum Of The Mills, so his guidance should be your number one resource.

For what my thoughts are worth (which isn't much), I would suggest:

1. Researching as many other mills as you can, to see what you can see - and decide whether they look right.

2. If the mill is listed, talking to your Conservation Officer (whose approval you'll probably need anyway).

3. If your intention is primarily insulation and draughtproofing, should you perhaps consider secondary glazing instead of shutters? I reckon this would be considerably more effective.

 

[Penners]

As I said - the mill wouldnt have shutters

I'm not sure where you said that. However, if the shutters are for an adjacent house (which is not listed(?)) then I think they should be whatever you like. It's your house, after all!

But I stand by what I said about secondary glazing.

 

[TheForge]

It might be worth speaking to the Wessex Mills Group for advice, http://www.wessexmillsgroup.org.uk if you haven't already.

I think Patrick Stow is still the secretary. I'm guessing from the photo that you're somewhere in West Somerset?

 

[guyd]

None of the adjacent houses have shutters - they are:-

Converted Maltings - again an industrial building so no shutters
Newbuild (1910 ) part converted polebarn house - 1910 windows like mine
Newbuild 'big' house - 1910 again
Old - 14th C cross passage farmhouse - grade II - no shutters
Old - 15c? Thatched farmhouse with ?geogian? windows
Old 11C? farmhouse
Medieval church.....

grass. trees. Hills.

TheForge, Yes - Im near Porlock.

Ill take a picture of the windows and see what you lot reckon would look right.