These "before and after" photos show how the integrity of severely damaged exterior woodwork can be fully restored using ConServ epoxy products.

The damage shown here was typical for all of four front entry columns. Subject to splashback and moisture buildup on the stone beneath, none of the plinths and only two of the bases were restoreable. The column shafts were restored with epoxy patch. Vulnerable areas in the newly fabricated bases and plinths were sealed with epoxy. A hidden membrane was set below each plinth as a break to the masonry and clear polyethylene was installed to keep excess perimeter patch from staining the masonry. The question of fabric restoration versus replication is constant and needs to be addressed for each project. These large voids were treated with borates to kill any remaining wood decay fungi and filled with loosely fitted wood inserts. The whole area was then saturated with epoxy consolidant and filled with 3-4 applications of epoxy patch encapsulating the wood inserts. Once cured, the epoxy patch was tooled to match profiles of the millwork. This technique allowed the adjacent woodwork to be left in place. As this restored dormer window sill shows, epoxy repairs done to appropriate specifications can return even heavily damaged fabric to a sound, durable condition. The brown colored epoxy patch shown here can be readily hidden under an exterior paint or opaque stain.