Castle Quest - Reply to Topic

Forum:	Building And Renovating Your Own Castle
Topic:	coastal castle

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T O P I C R E V I E W
sailorman Been looking for a site like this. OK, been working on my coastal retirement castle design for quite a while - my wife says it looks like a church so far. Plan to use a combination of oversize distressed brick, the split concrete block and synthetic stone (castle). Stage 1 is an oval tower of the split block. Coastal NC gets HOT in the summer so I need some suggestions for interior insulation that would blend in well. Stage 2 is the house proper and I want a portico (carport) between the house and tower on which I will add a crenulated wall. For the appox. 15' span, I was thinking precast contrete sections. Looking for suggestions on how to make the underside look like they fit the decor. I also want a portcullis that I can open with a garage door opener. I haven't come up with a plan to integrate this with the precast yet. last question, would like to have precast concrete spiral steps up the tower. Has anyone tried something like this? Will post my design onto my site soon.
Erik Schmidt When you say 'oval', do you mean as in a deformend circle or two half circles seperated by a straight section of wall? If the former, then no way, I've never come across that in a castle. If you mean the latter, then it's ok, but not a common shape in a stand alone tower. Such shaped towers were usually part of a gate.
I guess it depends on the level of authenticity you want.
I don't understand this question "...how to make the underside look like they fit the decor" Underside of what fit which decor?
Your portcullis would need to be light, otherwise it would be a safety issue. To be romote controlled might need some custom gear rigged to a duel direction motor with cut off switches and such.
Spiral steps would be easy provided you have a supporting 'tube' of sufficient strength. Spiral stairs were usually incorporated into a smaller tower or in the thickness of the wall. Each step was often cut from a single stone(so precasting is fine) and they were stacked on top of eachother but offset the depth of the step. The thin inner ends were lined up so they formed a vertical column in the centre and the wider outer end was incorporated into the wall as it was built. The only difference between the many spiral stairs of this design already built in the middle ages and yours will be the material, stone versus concrete. So look to the real thing as your guide.
Erik
sailorman Thanks Erik,
By oval, I mean the latter and it will end up as part of the entrance. By decor, I mean that I do not want to see the underside of the precast. I could spray stucco on it but that is probably not authentic either. I need some other thoughts on how to make it appear authentic.
I have been working on my portcullis plan and think I may have to have it fold like a garage door otherwise it will protrude up past the wall in the up position. To drive in and out, i want 10' of clearance which would require at least 20; of wall ht, too much for my modest plan. If I fold it, it would have to fit under the precast and further complicate my issue. My other thought is covering the underside with wood.
I thinkg the concrete steps will work fine, just atke some extra planning.
levanne One covering that scottish castles had which protected the stone work ( and would therefore cover your blocks u) is harling. I must admit Im not sure what harling consists of though in the case of Castle Levan part of its mix is stone from Dunblane. I believe its a mix of stone and something else.Unlike modern coverings it allows the building to breath. Someone else may have more details.
Erik Schmidt It was common in period to use various lime mixes to coat the inner walls of important rooms(as well as a waterproofing in cisterns), to form an even finish. You could do the same over the concrete with plaster or similar.
sailorman Erik,
Is there a good free spot to post images that I can link to with a post? I have some great photos I took of a modern manor house under construction as well as some concept diagrams.
thanks
Erik Schmidt You can put your text in this thread and add the photos to the Photo Archive on this site. The link is at the bottom of the page.