RESTORATION OF WOOD BALUSTRADE AT THE BELFRY OF THE CLOCK TOWER

The diagonal design of the "Chippendale" balustrade fretwork permitted accelerated washing and penetration by the elements.  Working from photographs (the original had long since deteriorated so that it had to be removed), we produced a single mold so that the entire set of diagonal "baluster" fretwork was cast in one piece of composite, instead of multiple pieces with multiple joints, all vulnerable to water entry.  This made the assembly more stable, more waterproof and easier to install.  Each of the four pieces of "Chippendale" fretwork was set between two conventional wood rails and run between two conventional wood posts.  The composite material accepts and hold paint well.