HIGH QUALITY STONEWORK IN BEDFORD
Keeping an old stone building in good condition is a bit of a challenge especially around here where the weather likes to get into every little crack. At Astrum Construction we see a lot of people who have bought a beautiful period property only to find the previous owners used the wrong materials for repairs. It is a common mistake but using hard cement on soft local stone is a recipe for disaster because the moisture gets trapped and the stone starts to crumble away. We take a much slower approach to stonework Bedford because you just can't rush quality when you are dealing with natural materials.
If you have a garden wall that is looking a bit worse for wear or a cottage that needs a full repoint we are the people to talk to. Stone work is as much about the mortar as it is about the rocks themselves. We use traditional lime mixes that stay flexible and let the house breathe which is how these buildings were designed to work in the first place. It is satisfying to see a wall go from looking tired and damp to solid and dry again.
Why our approach to stonework Bedford is different
Most builders today want to get in and out as fast as they can but stone doesn't work like that. You have to pick the right piece for the right spot and sometimes that means spending a lot of time just shaping the material so it fits the run of the wall. We keep our team small and focused so that the person you talk to about the quote is often the one actually getting their hands dirty on site. You can see our completed work on the project sections on our website.
We are also very particular about where we get our stone from. Matching the colour of a wall built two hundred years ago isn't easy but we have some great contacts in local quarries. Whether it is ironstone or limestone we make sure the new bits don't stick out like a sore thumb. It is all about the finish and making sure the texture looks natural. If you want to know more about us and how we work as a company check out our about page.
Working with the grain of the local area
If you walk around the villages near the Great Ouse you can see how much the stone defines the character of the place. We have done a lot of work in Biddenham where the stone is quite distinctive and needs a very specific touch to get the pointing right. The planning officers in Bedford are quite rightly protective of these areas so we make sure everything we do meets their standards. It helps that we live and work locally so we have a stake in keeping the town looking its best.
Further out in places like Turvey or Harrold the stone can be a bit more rugged. We have handled everything from small structural repairs on barn conversions to building brand new gate pillars that look like they have been there forever. We also find that a lot of people in newer parts of Bedford want to add a bit of stone as a feature to their garden or a porch. It is a great way to add a bit of class to a standard brick house and it definitely helps with the resale value later on.
The ground around here can be a bit tricky with clay which often causes old stone walls to shift and crack. We don't just patch up the gaps, we look at why it happened in the first place. Sometimes you need to go a bit deeper with the foundations or sort out the drainage before you start the stonework bedford project properly. Being thorough at the start saves you a lot of money and hassle in the long run.
We also spend a lot of time working on chimneys and gables where the wind and rain do the most damage. It is a long way up and you don't want to be doing it twice. We make sure the leadwork and the stone are all tied in perfectly so you stay dry inside. It is the kind of work that doesn't always get noticed from the street but it is the most important part of keeping an old house healthy.
Sorting out your stone project
One of the things we hear most is that people struggle to find a builder who actually understands how to dress stone. It is a bit of a lost art but we have kept it going because we think it matters. We are happy to come out and have a look at your property and give you some honest advice. If a wall is fine and just needs a bit of a clean we will tell you. We aren't interested in making work for the sake of it.
If you are thinking about an extension that needs to match an existing stone building we can help with that too. You can find examples of how we blend new builds with old structures on our extensions page. It takes a bit more planning than a standard brick job but the results are always worth the extra effort. There is nothing quite like the look of natural stone when it is done right.
Contact Us Today
The best way to get things moving is to just give us a call. We can talk through your ideas and see what is possible within your budget. Stone is never going to be the cheapest option but it is almost always the best one if you care about the history and the look of your home. Complete our online contact form or give us a call on 01908 850 678. At Astrum Construction we are always up for a chat about a new project.