Name: Column & Rafter Tail Restoration

Location: Milwaukee – Brown Deer

Problem: Two east facing portico columns and rafter tails on the southern entrance had several areas with deteriorated elements in need of restoration and repair.

Solution Provided: First we inspected all of the rafter tails and columns, and addressed each spot accordingly in a manner that will be longest lasting, and make the most economic sense. Starting on the south end our crew inspected the rafter tails, and began to remove the rotted wood on the columns. As our crew continued to demo the rotted column we braced the roof to be able to fully remove all areas of deterioration. In our shop we had to mill several pieces of Accoya for areas of wood that needed to be fully replaced. Next we replaced the column base with an Accoya, and applied epoxy to repair small areas as needed. Then we installed the spindles and boxes that go between the columns using epoxy to fill the screw holes and seams, sanding to shape.

On the main entrance we began removing the rotted areas on each rafter tail, and applying epoxy to small areas of rot for repair. In our shop we milled accoya for ten of the rafter tail replacements, then installed with epoxy, sanded to shape and finished with a coat of primer.