France Property Renovation

One of the most attractive features of many of the old houses in France is their exposed beams. If they are dry, they can last for hundreds of years with no particular care and attention. To ensure the continue to be both beautiful and strong, renovation projects usually include a review of the condition of the exposed beams, then some sanding or sandblasting, and removal of decayed wood. This is then followed by wood treatment, to protect against wood-boring insects.

Even if old beams look to be in a bad condition they are usually still very solid on the inside.

It has often been said to me that woodworm and other wood-boring creatures can not eat into the hard centre of the wood, so no real harm will be done. Although this is usually the case it is not a fixed rule. As an example, some old beams are made from a softer wood – poplar, for example, instead of oak. This softer wood is more vulnerable to being eaten right through. Even with old oak beams, I have had cause to cut through a few and on at least one occasion there was certainly some damage right to the centre of the wood. It is very unusual though – possibly because the wood has been damp at some point.
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