Except for the massive brick chimney breasts and some walling at lower ground floor level, the house is generally of traditional timber framed construction.  Some of the timbers especially among the floor beams are massive and appear to have been used in earlier buildings.  As frequently happens with this form of construction, the upper floors are cantilevered out in advance of the ground floor.  This occurs in the front south elevation overlooking the High Street and on the east side overlooking the Courtyard.

At first floor level, the wall opposite the staircase projects about two feet.  Before restoration, it was propped up on wooden shoring from courtyard level.  The floor boards were taken up and it was found that one of the beams had rotted through at the junction with one of the wall uprights.  Splices were taken back to the main beam at the head of the stairs and on each side of the main beam, a rolled steel channel was coach-bolted in, and the overhanging plate was firmly supported by hardwood wedges from the end of the cantilever.

Guildford House Gallery
155 High Street
Guildford
Surrey
GU1 3AJ

Tel: 01483 444740
Fax: 01483 444742
Email: guildfordhouse@guildford.gov.uk