Saving wooden structures from failure while preserving their original appearance
Wooden beams are the "silent" elements of a building that do their job for decades without complaint, but when they begin to fail, it rarely happens politely. We offer reliable engineering solutions for the restoration of wooden floors, load-bearing columns, and roof truss systems of any complexity.
How to tell if wooden structures need help?
Don't wait for a collapse! Often, wood deteriorates from the inside out long before the problem becomes visible on the outside. Look for visual and physical indicators:
Dry rot fungus consumes the cellulose in wood, leaving it brittle, crumbly, and structurally compromised. In load-bearing beams, this can lead to catastrophic failure if left untreated. Notice the deep longitudinal cracks and crumbling edges.
Termites eat wood from the inside out, often leaving a thin, intact outer shell that masks the extensive damage within. The hollowed-out honeycomb texture is a classic sign of advanced termite infestation, severely weakening the column's load-bearing capacity.
Repairing a wood beam without understanding the root cause is a waste of money. Without eliminating the underlying conditions, the damage will inevitably return.
Water is wood's greatest enemy. Rot (such as dry rot and wet rot) occurs due to roof leaks, poor ventilation, or condensation. With just a 10% mass loss due to incipient decay, the timber's structural load resistance can drop by 80%.
Termites, powder-post beetles, and carpenter ants can silently consume wood for years. They tunnel along the grain, often leaving only a thin outer shell of intact wood while hollowing out critical structural sections.
Buildings change over time: new HVAC systems, heavier roofing materials, or interior remodels place loads on beams that they were never designed to carry. This leads to bending, microfractures, and the rupture of wood fibers across the grain.
Improper notching, running pipes through load-bearing beams, and undersized cross-sections compromise the structure from day one.
We don't just replace wood. We offer modern solutions that strengthen beams without detracting from the authenticity of the old elements. We utilize advanced structural repair methods approved by experts:
For beams with early to moderate decay, we use high-strength epoxy resins that consolidate weakened wood fibers and restore the monolithic structure without extensive demolition.
A technique for repairing cracks and fractures using composite (carbon or fiberglass) rods sealed inside the timber with resin. This ensures the reliable transfer of tensile forces and makes the repair completely invisible.
To radically increase load capacity, concealed steel plates or channels are inserted into the beam to create a composite of steel and timber. This allows the original beam to remain in place while significantly boosting its strength.
When the end of a beam is completely decayed, we carefully remove the damaged section and recreate it using a colored resin mortar casting (resin concrete), or we splice in a new timber prosthesis using V-shaped scarf joints and anchors.
To balance thrust forces in arches and increase bending strength, we use a system of active metal tie rods or tensioned wire ropes.
We use resistographs and moisture meters to precisely measure wood density from the inside.
We install temporary supports to safely intercept the load and protect the building.
We help find and fix the source of the problem, such as roof leaks or wall dampness.
We apply epoxy injections, carbon fiber rods, or steel plates depending on the severity.
We preserve as much original historical wood as possible, using honest and reversible methods.
Without fixing the underlying issue, such as a roof leak or poor ventilation, the newly repaired beam will simply rot or fail again. Identifying the root cause ensures a permanent solution.
Yes! In many cases, we can restore the beam's load-bearing capacity using epoxy injections, hidden carbon fiber reinforcements, or steel flitch plates. This is often less invasive and preserves the historic structure.
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