Repairing a Traditional Welsh Barn

We are pleased to share this photo journal detailing the process of reinstating a severely damaged traditional barn. Over past decade Llechen Lân has progressed from being a roofing company primarily, to providing specialist slating skills such as decorative cladding, structural timber work, internal renovations and project management.

This project in Garreg, Llanfrothen is next door to our Osprey cladding. The barn, which is used as a storage space by the Brondanw Estate - famous for its quirky heritage architecture - was severely damaged in a storm two years ago. The roof had been completely destroyed and there was extensive damage to the stone work. We have been working a lot recently with our friends at Gwaith Cerrig O. Morris, who have the rare skill of professionally repairing traditional stone work whilst retaining its original vernacular character. Osian and co. came over from Dolgellau to repair the walls of the damaged barn and the adjacent barn, which had also been compromised by the tree fall.

After finishing the walls and wall plates, it was back to the workshop to make the trusses and purlins, using locally sourced timber from Gwynedd Mobile Milling. Then we were delighted to have the help of a farming friend and his tele-handler to lay the Douglas fir trusses in place - it is incredibly special to be part of a small Gwynedd community that still thrives on pulling together in this way.

We then laid down the rafters and battens and it was time for the final covering: new Cwt y Bugail slate from Blaenau Ffestiniog - as local as they come. By this time, things had started hotting up - with the temperature of the slates getting as high as 61 degrees Celsius! Hats off to the whole team for staying safe, well hydrated and efficient in environmentally challenging conditions.

It has been a real pleasure to be part of giving one of Snowdonia’s traditional barns the treatment these old stone buildings deserve. Many thanks to the Brondanw Estate for the opportunity.