Conserving Buildings: Guide to Techniques and Materials, Revised Edition

I bought this to learn more about building materials--wood, stone, concrete, metals--and was not disappointed. Each chapter begins with a summary that's authoritative but friendly. And interesting. You'll learn, for example, that the trick to making a hydraulic cement is to add some siliceous mineral to the limestone before firing in a kiln. The Romans used volcanic rock; modern Portland cement producers find it in certain clays. You'll realize none of these materials can stand up to water, which eventually returns them to their more chemically stable states, changing concrete into limestone, smelted metals back to ores (rust), and turning wood into food for other living things.What follows the introductory discussion is probably too technical for non-professionals--references to ASTM standards, specifications for water jet delivery in gallons per minute and PSI when cleaning stone, and tips for making your own epoxy using bulk chemicals, complete with Dow Chemical part numbers.I was a little disappointed by the presentation--B/W photos by the author and very basic drawings--but I suppose that's all that's needed for a book like this.

EXCELLENT INFORMATION

All the photos are black and white and many are unclear in viewing the described details.

This book tells you how best to conserve either historic buildings or modern buildings. It shows how insects may be a problem, how pollution can affect buildings, and then goes on to explain how best to approach various restoration issues. The book covers plaster and concrete, architectural metals, and brickwork, to name a few. In a way it is like what you might hear on This Old House or some other renovation television program.There may be a limited target audience for a book like this, but having it on the bookshelf of the Facilities Manager may be a wise investment.

A 'must have' for any library on conservation and deterioration.A great reference for teachers and students alike. The section onmetals is particularly useful.