• Restoration
In professional circles there is often debate about the correct terminology when describing specialist repair work to historic ironwork.
Dictionary definitions in modern usage may throw some light:
Renovation:- to restore to a better state e.g. by cleaning, repairing or rebuilding.
Restoration:- to bring back to a former or original state e.g. by repairing damage.
– Source Penguin Pocket English Dictionary
It is true to say that modern techniques that can be used to ‘renovate’ may not be ‘restoration’ to the purist. However we have to also consider the concept of Value Engineering. At the beginning of a project it is important that someone who has a good track record and is impartial draws up a specification that details the level of work and important key features. e.g riveted joints verses concealed welding.
If historic Ironwork has pre-existing repairs which used modern methods and materials this may mean that Restoration may not strictly speaking be possible, we may then be involved in a Renovation project!
