What we do – Pinnacle Conservation Limited

The company is driven by a passion to protect and preserve architectural heritage.

Pinnacle offers expertise in historical conservation, consultation and construction. We work with private and commercial clients to conserve, repair and reconstruct fragile or antiquated buildings. We also attend to new builds within the curtilage of an existing heritage asset. Our method of operation centres on close contact and excellent working relationships with our clients at all times.

Our techniques of conservation consist of a mixture of state of the art, innovative mechanics and age-old and traditionally-learned masonry skills.

Working as principal contractor our specialist team will engage with our client at the earliest possible juncture. We will ensure positive consultations lead to a programme of work that suits the client in every way. Our pre-project appraisals include advice about the future potential of the site.

Our highly skilled team are directly employed and driven by a genuine passion for what they do. In each and every one of our projects Pinnacle strives to preserve the beauty and cultural importance of architectural features in order that they may be admired by future generations.

Conservation

Pinnacle Conservation accepts a comprehensive range of assignments in respect of historical buildings and sites. The success of both simple and complex projects is ultimately determined by the traditional skills, qualifications and know-how of our in-house staff. Our work is always carried out with in mind the need to safeguard the historical significance of buildings and landscapes.

Our conservation services:

• Masonry conservation and repair.

• Cleaning of historic fabrics using chemical treatments, super-heated steam, micro air abrasive techniques and the application of poultices.

• Preserving for the future historic fabrics by means of grouting, filleting and the application of unique resin repair systems.

• Lime mortar conservation and re-application.

• Pinning and micro-pinning of loose or broken elements and mortar repairs to missing areas.

• Pigmented and variegated lime shelter coating.

• Conservation of historic metalwork including bronzes, cast iron and wrought iron; roof-lanterns, domes, windows, canopies and glasshouses.

• Conservation of historic joinery including timber windows, architectural timberwork, greenhouses, cupolas, cornices and spires.

Consultation

Pinnacle Heritage Consultancy team provides industry-focused expertise to clients and stakeholders. Our consultancy service covers a comprehensive range of historical building projects.

To understand the various echelons of significance of a building or its architectural features is essential prior to any work being carried out. The depth of scrutiny of our reports and advice is respected by all agencies involved in the conservation project.

Our authoritative services can be employed to assist with the production of architectural specifications, a schedule of works or grant applications. We may also provide technical support to Quinquennial Reports for Churches.

Our consultancy also aims to assist budgeting and project planning.

We have developed a progressive approach to conservation which we believe helps to ensure that any work carried out in historic environments is of the best value to our client and of the highest quality.

Our consultancy services:

Historic building condition surveys provide analysis of a building’s current construction and condition. A suitable repair approach is achieved by comprehensive condition surveys and photographic and diagrammatic recording.
Detailed analysis of materials determines physical, geological and environmental conditions (such as soluble salt content). Analysis may also include hygroscopicity, lithology, petrology, environmental recording and measurement of moisture levels within stonework.
Conservation appraisals of historic buildings provide an historical context and highlight the significance of a building in its current setting. The appraisal also includes advice about its future potential.
By our supervision of works to historic buildings we provide throughout the build process an impartial, rigorous and detailed inspection of materials and workmanship. In so doing we can maximise client value for money and ensure that our historic assets are suitably maintained for future generations.
Lectures and Continuing Professional Development sessions on a range of conservation topics. We welcome project tours and ‘meet-the-craftspeople’ days.
Assistance with planning and listed building applications. Pinnacle can provide conservation reports and assessments on request.

Consultation

Pinnacle Heritage Consultancy team provides industry-focused expertise to clients and stakeholders. Our consultancy service covers a comprehensive range of historical building projects.

Our consultancy also aims to assist budgeting and project planning.

Our consultancy services:

Historic building condition surveys provide analysis of a building’s current construction and condition. A suitable repair approach is achieved by comprehensive condition surveys and photographic and diagrammatic recording.
Detailed analysis of materials determines physical, geological and environmental conditions (such as soluble salt content). Analysis may also include hygroscopicity, lithology, petrology, environmental recording and measurement of moisture levels within stonework.
Conservation appraisals of historic buildings provide an historical context and highlight the significance of a building in its current setting. The appraisal also includes advice about its future potential.
By our supervision of works to historic buildings we provide throughout the build process an impartial, rigorous and detailed inspection of materials and workmanship. In so doing we can maximise client value for money and ensure that our historic assets are suitably maintained for future generations.
Lectures and Continuing Professional Development sessions on a range of conservation topics. We welcome project tours and ‘meet-the-craftspeople’ days.
Assistance with planning and listed building applications. Pinnacle can provide conservation reports and assessments on request.

Construction

Pinnacle Construction is founded upon traditional ability and forthright know-how. But we also employ state-of-the-art innovative equipment in order to successfully undertake all manner of conservation works.

The resources at our disposal allow us to undertake construction works within an historic prospect with utmost accuracy. Our holistic way of working is sympathetic to the environment as a whole and to the cultural heritage of a place.

Our construction services:

Restoration and adaption of existing heritage assets.
Extensions within the limitations of an existing heritage asset.
New builds within the curtilage of an existing heritage asset.
Traditional groundworks excavation works under an Archaeological Watching Brief.
External surfacing, vegetation and tree stump removal.
Structural underpinning.
Production of new architectural masonry, such as stone carvings and figurative works.

Decorative Art

Pinnacle have had the pleasure of working on the conservation of Decorative Art within some of Yorkshires most prestigious Listed buildings.

Several of the region’s most important listed buildings have examples of fine decorative surfaces, ranging from ornate patterns and figures to the imitation of more expensive materials including the use of gold leaf.

Decorative Art Surveys by Pinnacle Conservation can be instructed, where we can provide in-depth reports of the objects and decorative features within listed buildings. Our report will provide information on earlier decortive schemes, techniques to help conserve the fabric, specifications, and timescales. These reports can be used to help Clients obtain Heritage funding for the require works.

Services Pinnacle can provide:

Paint Analysis – Identify the original decorative skim, identification of dangerous pigments such as lead to inform health & safety. Fresco paintwork analysis. Identification of components such as organic or inorganic pigments and dyes. Analysis of the pigment layers including finish exposure, optical microscopy, fluorescent light microscopy – Undertake conservation works to the paint to reapply and mix to match and preserve the work and re-integrate the scheme.
Mortar Analysis – Find out the materials used to produce the mortar – ratio’s that have been used (Lime / Sand). Offer specifications based on the mortar analysis. Record the age, nature, location of the existing condition. If there have been any previous repairs undertaken, collect appropriate samples of the mortar. Define the extent of the repairs and the proposed materials for the restoration works.
Salt Analysis – What salts are present in stone and fabric of the building and is this causing damage to the building. Provide a solution of how best to prevent and treat the problems, which can include moisture and salt Crystallization movements
Stone and bronze sculptures / Gargoyles and Grotesques – Cleaning, re-integration of missing parts and sections and protective coatings.
Architecture decorative surfaces – Wall painting through to decorative ceiling, historic wallpaper restoration. Accurate match of the wallpaper or coloration of the historic wallpaper – This could result in the requirement of these having to undergo artistic reconstruction by hand or reconstruction of lost part, so it matches together.
Sacred Decorative objects – Including commemorative plaques, sculptural memorials and Coat of arms works.
Wooden sculptures – address cracks and breakages, re-adhering broken areas, fire and smoke damage, cracks and flaking, loss or varnish or polish, dust and debris build up, loss of colour and accidental damage. Finishing works can include reapplying French polish, lacquer, gilding, paintwork, and wax.
Gilded surfaces – Undertake both water and oil gilding – work varying from small repairs, cracks and replacing missing decoration to removing layers of varnish to paint and reveal the original surface.
Memorials – Conserve and repair – Look into the History of the memorial and the previous work carried out
Architectural tile works – Restore and Repair, removing microbiological growth, cleaning, re-bedding and regrouting, protection of existing, replacing, loss of glaze, slats, abrasion, cracking, flaking and crumbling
Historical Mosaics – Reconstruction of lost areas, custom handmade tiles, cleaning, sympathetically conserve and restore existing.
Environmental services – Check the Relative Humidity light and temperature to specify suitable levels required. Check damp levels within buildings. All environmental services – Humidity and light to maintain within a historic building. This can help with locations of historic paintings.

Conservation

Consultation

Consultation

Construction

Decorative Art

York Office

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