ok so if I decide to lime render over it, what sort of “lath” system would be most appropriate to fix over it? Does it need anything at all? It’s a fairly rough-sawn piece of wood.It's fine to leave timber exposed so long as it isn't painted with anything waterproof and there isn't water directed at it. Chances of achieving that in the long term when you aren't looking after the building would be pretty slim. Lime render with some sort of drip edge would probably give it a better chance in the longer term.
Depending how deep you’re rendering - hack away as they used to with the tell tale pock marks, and / or pepper with SS screws for a key.ok so if I decide to lime render over it, what sort of “lath” system would be most appropriate to fix over it? Does it need anything at all? It’s a fairly rough-sawn piece of wood.
Absolutely fine, assuming the timber is adequately protected from water run off / pooling. And of course that it’s a nice piece of oak.Hey what are everyone’s thoughts on leaving a timber lintel exposed on the external face of a wall? The other obvious option is to lime render over it (after fixing some kind of lath) along with the rest of the building.
Do you have pics of these pock-marks? I must say I’m loathe to start hacking into my structural lintel..,Depending how deep you’re rendering - hack away as they used to with the tell tale pock marks, and / or pepper with SS screws for a key.
The wood species is a mystery as I’ve repurposed an old beam off a Dutch barn we took down.I suppose it depends on what type of wood the lintel is made of and how long you want it to last. I have exposed oak that is over 400 years old and is still rock-hard, albeit a bit gnarly. I've also replaced rotten lintels with new oak and have done nothing except limewash over them. I'm not expecting them to need any other maintenance while I'm still on the planet.