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Fixing cracks in wooden "quoins" (corner blocks) in Italianate house...

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Fixing cracks in wooden "quoins" (corner blocks) in Italianate house... blueman 10-29-2006
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Posted by blueman on October 29, 2006, 9:24 pm


Our 140yr old Italianate house has beautiful wooden quoins forming the
corners of the house. Each side of the corner looks like a series of
blocks with raised panel centers.

Unfortunately, many of the quoins now have horizontal cracks in the
wood up to 1/8" or so wide. I would like to repair rather than replace
them since matching the detail and quality of wood would be very
expensive.

I could obviously just have a field day with caulk, but I was
wondering whether there was a better way of restoring the wood. I
considered using a wood epoxy but wondered whether the gaps are too
narrow and how it will behave under seasonal contraction/expansion.

So any suggestions on how to patch up these cracks?

Thanks!!!

Posted by RicodJour on October 29, 2006, 9:34 pm



blueman wrote:
> Our 140yr old Italianate house has beautiful wooden quoins forming the
> corners of the house. Each side of the corner looks like a series of
> blocks with raised panel centers.
>
> Unfortunately, many of the quoins now have horizontal cracks in the
> wood up to 1/8" or so wide. I would like to repair rather than replace
> them since matching the detail and quality of wood would be very
> expensive.
>
> I could obviously just have a field day with caulk, but I was
> wondering whether there was a better way of restoring the wood. I
> considered using a wood epoxy but wondered whether the gaps are too
> narrow and how it will behave under seasonal contraction/expansion.
>
> So any suggestions on how to patch up these cracks?

Epoxy would work as would Bondo. If you keep up on the maintenance and
make sure the quoins are painted and caulked where necessary that will
keep the contraction and expansion to a minimum, and you won't have to
worry about the epoxy or Bondo falling out.

And thanks for using the correct spelling of quoins!

R


Posted by blueman on October 30, 2006, 12:42 pm


> blueman wrote:
> > Our 140yr old Italianate house has beautiful wooden quoins forming the
> > corners of the house. Each side of the corner looks like a series of
> > blocks with raised panel centers.
> >
> > Unfortunately, many of the quoins now have horizontal cracks in the
> > wood up to 1/8" or so wide. I would like to repair rather than replace
> > them since matching the detail and quality of wood would be very
> > expensive.
> >
> > I could obviously just have a field day with caulk, but I was
> > wondering whether there was a better way of restoring the wood. I
> > considered using a wood epoxy but wondered whether the gaps are too
> > narrow and how it will behave under seasonal contraction/expansion.
> >
> > So any suggestions on how to patch up these cracks?
>
> Epoxy would work as would Bondo. If you keep up on the maintenance and
> make sure the quoins are painted and caulked where necessary that will
> keep the contraction and expansion to a minimum, and you won't have to
> worry about the epoxy or Bondo falling out.

Just to clarify, are you suggesting that wood epoxy or bondo are
BETTER than caulk or that they would work too. The reason I am asking
is that caulk would be easier but I want to do it right.

> And thanks for using the correct spelling of quoins!
>
Your welcome. In fact, it took me a while to even remember what they
were properly called, let alone spelled!

Posted by RicodJour on October 30, 2006, 12:52 pm


blueman wrote:
>
> Just to clarify, are you suggesting that wood epoxy or bondo are
> BETTER than caulk or that they would work too. The reason I am asking
> is that caulk would be easier but I want to do it right.

Depends on the caulk. Latex shrinks too much, but it's the easiest to
apply. A low modulus polyurethane would probably be my first choice.
Something like Sikaflex 15LM.

R


Posted by Lew Hodgett on October 30, 2006, 2:17 pm


blueman wrote:

> Just to clarify, are you suggesting that wood epoxy or bondo are
> BETTER than caulk or that they would work too. The reason I am asking
> is that caulk would be easier but I want to do it right.

A couple of points of clarification.

First of all, I don't have a clue about what is the best way to make
these repairs.

As far as caulk is concerned, SikaFlex has an excellent tech service
group in Detroit and have an 800#.

I'd start with them.

Second, there is a world of difference between thickened epoxy and Bondo.

Bondo is polyester resin loaded with talc to thicken it.

Polyester is NOT an adhesive, does not add strength, but rather dead
weight, which is probably not a major concern for this application.

Epoxy thickened with micro-balloons is an adhesive and adds structural
strength.

Have fun.

Lew

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