You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
Dating a cottage
- Thread starter FCB
- Start date
Penners
Member
- Messages
- 17,294
- Location
- Suffolk, England
biffvernon said:Still, I'd love to see a picture.
Must remember
Must remember
Must remember...
...what was it that I had to remember?
Hi all, I have just joined this forum and was interested to see this question as I have an 18th century cob cottage myself, in Dorset.
This cottage was definitely built in 1740 but by the time I bought it (1990s) it would be impossible to date it by the windows as there were examples everywhere from Georgian leaded lights to 1950s Crittal (the cot is not listed!).
I was told that the reason is, windows in cob can rot very quickly if they are not made of good hardwood. Often this wasn't done, for cheapness. Therefore I would say be wary of relying on style of windows to date the cottage.
This cottage was definitely built in 1740 but by the time I bought it (1990s) it would be impossible to date it by the windows as there were examples everywhere from Georgian leaded lights to 1950s Crittal (the cot is not listed!).
I was told that the reason is, windows in cob can rot very quickly if they are not made of good hardwood. Often this wasn't done, for cheapness. Therefore I would say be wary of relying on style of windows to date the cottage.
I think the suggestion was that there might have been an earlier style of window anyway. Window styles help uncover the history of the house, which helps in the search for a date. It's just one of many avenues to look down.
I've never heard of cob being especially bad at rotting window frames. Unless the window was not properly fitted, or not made for the opening?
I've never heard of cob being especially bad at rotting window frames. Unless the window was not properly fitted, or not made for the opening?
Probably both types of problems affected windows in labourers' cottages over the years!
As I understand it also, knowledge and skills in looking after cob and other traditional building materials declined drastically over the last 100 years. Certainly my own cottage was badly affected by damp caused purely by neglect, and all the things like raised outside ground levels, impermeable cement render, that you are told never to allow. When as a result the walls become very wet, the window frames are an inevitable casualty.
As I understand it also, knowledge and skills in looking after cob and other traditional building materials declined drastically over the last 100 years. Certainly my own cottage was badly affected by damp caused purely by neglect, and all the things like raised outside ground levels, impermeable cement render, that you are told never to allow. When as a result the walls become very wet, the window frames are an inevitable casualty.