Ashburton is a town that feels carved out of the very history of Dartmoor. As one of the original Stannary towns, its streets are a living museum of Devon’s architectural evolution, featuring everything from medieval timber-framed buildings to elegant slate-hung Georgian facades. For homeowners in the TQ13 area, maintaining these properties is a significant responsibility. These aren’t just buildings; they are part of a protected landscape that requires a specific, expert approach to repair and restoration.
At Quoin & Oak Construction, we have spent nearly 25 years working on the unique structures of Ashburton. We know that in a town this historic, “standard” building practices can often do more harm than good. Here is why heritage expertise is the only way to truly protect an Ashburton period home.
The Complexity of Slate Hanging
One of the most iconic features of Ashburton’s streetscape is the traditional slate hanging. This was originally used as a practical solution to protect porous cob and stone walls from the driving moorland rain. However, slate hanging is a delicate system.
If the battening underneath the slates begins to rot, or if modern non-breathable membranes are installed behind them, the wall behind the slate will begin to “sweat.” This leads to hidden damp and structural decay. We specialize in the repair and replacement of traditional slate hanging, using hand-cut slates and breathable systems that ensure the building remains watertight while allowing the historic fabric underneath to breathe.
Navigating the “Dartmoor Edge” Climate
Ashburton sits in a unique position where the sheltered valley meets the exposed edge of the moor. This means our buildings face higher-than-average humidity and driving rain. Heritage expertise matters here because the materials used must be able to cope with these conditions.
We use specific grades of Natural Hydraulic Lime (NHL) for our repointing and rendering work in Ashburton. A “one-size-fits-all” mortar mix simply won’t work here. We tailor our lime recipes to match the exposure level of your specific property—whether it’s a sheltered cottage in the town centre or a more exposed farmhouse on the outskirts. This ensures the mortar is hard enough to resist the weather but soft enough to protect the historic stone.
The Challenge of Ancient Timber Frames
Many of Ashburton’s older properties hide ancient timber frames behind later facades. These “hidden” structures are often the most vulnerable parts of a restoration. A general builder might suggest replacing a sagging oak beam with a steel RSJ, but this can cause “cold bridging” and condensation issues that didn’t exist before.
Our background in traditional joinery allows us to perform “sensitive surgery” on these timber frames. We use seasoned oak and traditional carpentry joints to repair original beams in situ, preserving the structural history of the building while meeting modern safety standards.
Working with Dartmoor National Park Planning
If your home is in Ashburton, you are likely under the jurisdiction of the Dartmoor National Park Authority. Their planning and conservation standards are among the highest in the country. They require a deep level of detail regarding materials, finishes, and methods.
As your Principal Contractor, Steve handles this relationship. We know what the Dartmoor conservation officers are looking for—from the specific “rubble” finish of a stone wall to the traditional “flush” profile of a timber window. Our expertise in navigating these regulations saves homeowners time and protects them from the stress of potential planning breaches.
Foundations to Decoration: A Coordinated Approach
A heritage restoration in Ashburton often involves a “chain” of specialists. You might need a stonemason for the walls, a leadworker for the valleys, and a decorator for the lime wash. If these trades aren’t coordinated by someone with heritage expertise, the “breathability” of the building can be compromised at any link in the chain.
Quoin & Oak provides a full-service journey. We oversee every trade, ensuring that the plumber isn’t cutting through historic joists and that the decorator isn’t using a “plastic” paint over our fresh lime plaster. This holistic management is the only way to ensure the long-term health and value of your period home.
If you are planning a project in Ashburton and want to ensure your home’s history is in safe hands, call Steve at Quoin & Oak Construction on 07528 095 320 or email quoinandoak@gmail.com.
