What we do

Conservation and repair of historic buildings and structures

Contact us to discuss your project.

The works we carry out are very varied but all involve the repair and conservation of stone. We look at each project holistically to decide the best methodology.

We work closely with conservation officers, architects, surveyors, building contractors and home owners to achieve the best result in a safe working environment.

The majority of works we carry out are on listed and historic properties and structures. We have an in depth understanding and consideration when working on these types of projects.

No two projects are the same and much thought goes in to how to achieve the best result.

We use materials, equipment and methods of work that are recognised as appropriate by relevant bodies within the industry.

Employing trained and qualified stonemasons.

We cover the south west to include North Devon, South Devon, East Devon, West Devon , Somerset, Cornwall, Dorset, Exeter, Plymouth, Bideford, Honiton, Barnstaple, Tiverton, Taunton, Exmoor,Dartmoor, Dulverton, Kingsbridge,

Contact us to discuss your project and scroll down to see what we do.

Carving and letter cutting

With consideration to layout, stone selection and style.

Stone Matching

Many local stones are becoming increasingly difficult to source. Orchard stonemasons take particular interest and care in finding the most suitable stone in both appearance and geological make up. (Of particular interest, sourcing rare stone from farm quarries).

Bespoke pieces

Creating bespoke pieces for the home and garden, to include fire surrounds, seating, lighting, panelling and shelving.

Consultancy and reporting

Producing and supplying reports on the condition, stone selection and mortars.

With 25 years of experience, we are in a position to provide consultancy and detailed reports on all aspects of stone used in historic buildings.

Stone Cleaning

We offer different stone cleaning methods dependent on application.

Covering areas such as paint removal of different compositions, organic staining e.g. algae, and non organic staining e.g. carbon/pollutants.

Specialist cleaning owner/ operators of DOFF and JOS Torc for 10 years also nebulous spray mist and poulticing. We use the stone cleaning equipment as part of the overall job enabling us to complete the whole project, in order to achieve a finish in accordance with good conservation practice.

We have worked on many war memorials the work usually involves DOFF cleaning and any allied repairs including lettering and painting.

Walling

Creating new stone walls to replicate historic or repairing and conserving existiing.

Repointing (mainly due to inappropriate cement mortars having been used and taking care in their removal)

Working stone

Matching tool finishes and joint widths, replicating original work. Possibly signing off with a masons mark.

Can supply only or supply and fix.

Use of lime

Using a variety of lime, designed per application- different stone dusts, aggregates and pozzolans.

Taking care in sand grading, colour match and strengths.

Each mortar mix is designed specifically for the site situation. We blend our own and can provide sample panels and mortar biscuits if reqiuired.

Shelter coats, lime washing, rendering and other lime works.

Rebuilding

Facade rebuild, grouting, stitching.

We can also carry out new build projects.

Stone types

Working a variety of stone. Banker trained stonemasons replicating historic mouldings in many different stones to include Portland, Bath ,Ham, Lias, Pennant, granite, Doulting, carboniferous limestone, sandstone, Beer, marble.