Renovating a wooden cornice is a job well known to owners of Brussels houses and Belgian townhouses. The timber cornice, with its mouldings and brackets, gives the facade its charm. But it is also permanently exposed to rain, sun and frost, and it often carries a box gutter that, as it ages, rots the cornice from the inside. Here is how to know when to act, and which solution to choose.
The role of a wooden cornice
A cornice crowns the facade. Its overhang keeps water away from the wall; it protects the top of the walls and the roof timbers, carries the gutter and gives the house its style. When it deteriorates, the facade, the inside walls of the top floor and sometimes the roof structure all suffer.
Signs that your cornice needs renovating
- Flaking paint leaving the wood bare: protection is no longer assured.
- Timber that splits, crumbles or gives way under the pressure of a screwdriver.
- Traces of water, moss or efflorescence on the facade, just below the cornice.
- A gutter that overflows or leaks inside the box.
- Mouldings or brackets coming loose.
- A cornice that leans or an overhang that sags.
- Damp stains on the ceiling or at the top of the walls on the top floor, on the street side.
The earlier you act, the more of the original timber can be kept. Simply repainting every eight to twelve years avoids many heavy restorations.
Three ways to renovate a wooden cornice
1. Restoration
When the structure is largely sound, it is restored. Old paint is stripped, damaged parts are replaced with inserts of new timber, mouldings are rebuilt, and the cornice is then repainted with a multi-coat microporous system. This is the solution that best respects the heritage, and often the most economical when the damage is limited.
2. Like-for-like replacement
If the timber is too badly damaged, the cornice is rebuilt, faithfully reproducing the original profiles, brackets and ornaments. This is the preferred solution for visible facades, and often the only one accepted in a conservation area or on a listed building.
3. Cladding
When the cornice has no particular heritage value, it can be clad with composite panels, aluminium or PVC. Maintenance becomes minimal, but the appearance of the facade changes. This solution may require planning permission and must be combined with treatment of the timber underneath, so as not to trap moisture.
| Solution | When to choose it | Advantages | Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Restoration | Timber mostly sound | Heritage preserved, controlled cost | Paintwork to maintain |
| Like-for-like replacement | Timber badly damaged | New and faithful to the original | Higher budget |
| Cladding | No heritage value | Little maintenance | Altered look, permit possible |
The heart of the problem: the box gutter
In most Belgian cornices, the gutter is built into a timber box lined with zinc. Over time, the zinc becomes perforated, the soldered joints fail, the fall distorts and water stands. The water then seeps straight into the timber, invisible from outside, until the cornice rots. Renovating a wooden cornice without renewing the box gutter means risking having to redo the work a few years later.
A proper renewal includes new boxing, a soldered zinc lining with a steady fall, correctly sized outlets, expansion joints and a careful connection to the roof covering. Our article on zinc gutters explains why zinc remains the benchmark.
The stages of a renovation
- Survey from a cherry picker or scaffolding, probing the timber.
- Detailed quote and, if necessary, applications for planning permission and road occupation.
- Putting up scaffolding and protection.
- Removing the gutter and the damaged parts.
- Repairing or rebuilding the timber, checking the feet of the roof structure.
- Fitting the new zinc and connecting it to the roof.
- Painting in several coats.
- Handover and photos.
Permits and neighbours
A restoration or like-for-like replacement does not usually require planning permission. A change of material, colour or shape may. On a shared facade, let your neighbours know: the scaffolding may affect them, and the gutter is sometimes shared. A joint project with a neighbour often allows the cost of scaffolding to be split.
How much does it cost to renovate a wooden cornice?
The price is calculated per linear metre and depends on the condition of the timber, the richness of the mouldings, the height and the scaffolding. As a guide, excluding VAT: €40 to €80 per linear metre to repaint a sound cornice, €150 to €300 for a restoration with new zinc, €250 to €450 for a like-for-like replacement, plus scaffolding. For a home more than ten years old, reduced VAT at 6% in principle applies.
Combining the work
Scaffolding accounts for a large part of the budget. Take the opportunity to combine the cornice renovation with renovating the roof, repointing the facade or painting the window frames. Our article on when a roof needs replacing helps you assess the condition of your roof.
Maintaining a wooden cornice
After renovation, a simple routine keeps your wooden cornice in good condition: clean the box gutter every autumn, check the paintwork visually every two to three years and touch up small damage straight away. This prevents water from getting back into the timber and makes the paintwork last much longer.
Frequently asked questions
How often should a cornice be repainted?
Every eight to twelve years on average, depending on exposure and paint quality. A south-facing facade or one very exposed to the weather needs more frequent maintenance.
Can a cornice be renovated in winter?
Timber and zinc work are possible, but painting requires suitable temperatures and humidity. Spring and summer remain the best seasons.
How long does the work take?
For a townhouse, allow one to two weeks in general, depending on the extent of the repairs and drying times.
In summary
Renovating a wooden cornice protects the facade and the top of the house, and preserves its character. Acting early often makes it possible to restore rather than replace, provided the box gutter is renewed. Our teams work in Brussels, Walloon Brabant, Hainaut and Flanders: discover our cornice renovation service.
