How to repair and replace timber in an old Gillies & Mackay building

Gillies & Mackay have been around the block, busy manufacturing sheds for you lovely lot for over 30 years. 

And over those years we’ve experienced and learned that the harsh Scottish climate, coupled with the volatile nature of timber, is not alway a match made in heaven. 

You might find it difficult to understand why a specific area of your Shed has become problematic with blackening, mould or decay and that is something we wholeheartedly sympathise with. 

It has taken us years to master our technique and craftsmanship to ensure the longevity of your Timber Building. But even with all that experience, there are still many external factors out with our control that will contribute to the timber rotting over time. 

Consistent, vigilant aftercare that begins as soon as your timber building is delivered is the number one way you can ensure it lasts a lifetime.

• Download our Aftercare Guide

All very well saying that now, but not much use if your building is 15-20 years old and now you’re sitting here with a rotting roof strip and blackening under the window… 

Don’t worry too much, the good news is that timber structures are very forgiving. There are many ways in which you can undo damage, repair existing timbers and replace ‘past it’ timbers.

In this article, I will explain everything you need to know about how to repair and replace rotten timbers on your G&M building. 

What can go wrong with your timber building?

There are a couple of common things that you’ll want to keep an eye out for on your timber building:

1. Rotting roof strips, corner strips or skirting
2. Rotting weatherboard

If either of these happen, don’t panic, just follow the steps below to repair or replace them. 

This will get your building back to looking good as new. And ensure the longevity of it going forward (assuming you keep taking care of it as per the aftercare guide).

1. Rotting roof strips, corner strips and skirting on a shed…

At Gillies & Mackay we are pretty clever about how we construct your building (if we do say so ourselves). We build it in sections, with a number of finishing strips. 

However, the external timbers that finish the roof, the corners and the floor are often the first areas to go. 

What causes rotting roof strips, corner strips or skirting on a shed?

These are the timbers that protect the building.

This means that they also get hit the hardest by the lovely Scottish weather that we all know and love, resulting in damage and rotting.

How to fix rotting roof strips, corner strips or skirting on my shed?

Because of the clever way we construct your building, the fix for these rotting strips is pretty easy. 

The quickest and most simplest way to deal with it is to replace them. 

Gillies and Mackay can supply you with the correct pieces to do this. We may need specific measurements, depending on the age of the building, so it would be really helpful if you know the rough age of your building before you enquire.

Gillies and Mackay will charge for replacement timbers that are collected from the site. This is usually in the form of a charity donation.

2. Rotting weather board on a shed…

The weatherboard that makes up your G&M building might have seen better days and need replaced.

What causes rotting weatherboard on a shed?

Rotting weatherboard is an extreme case of moisture trapping that’s been left too long and has taken hold of the timber completely. 

It could be a persistent drip from the roof splashing back up onto the panel, a minuscule leak from the roof, window or door. It’s not necessarily noticeable to the naked eye. 

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However the rot has developed, it’s here now and we need to do something about it.

How do I fix rotting weatherboard on a shed?

Replacing lengths of weatherboard in a panel isn’t a hugely laborious task. However if you’re looking to replace more than 5 boards in one section it might be worth considering a replacement panel. 

Gillies and Mackay will not supply the weatherboard. However the sawmill we use is called Direct Line Timber in Dundee and they can provide you with the same profile we use on our Sheds today. 

If your building is really old it might be worth taking in an offcut so Direct Line can make sure they get a match for you. 

Other Timber Suppliers that can help you out:

Rembrand Timber: https://www.rembrand.co/

Jewson: https://www.jewson.co.uk/

Thornbridge: https://www.jewson.co.uk/

Rowan Timber: https://www.rowan-timber.co.uk/

Who will repair my timber building for me?

Back in the day we tried to offer a repair and maintenance service for old Gillies and Mackay buildings. 

But, what tends to happen is we get really busy and you get forgotten. Tradies get a bad enough rep as it is. We don’t want to be ‘that guy’. 

It’s sad I know, but given the size of our family business it’s not something we can offer now. 

That’s why we say, we can help you, support you and give you the advice you need, but when it comes to actually completing the work, you either need to do that yourself or hire a joiner to do it for you. 

How to keep my shed timber in good condition…

We know replacing strips and weatherboards wasn’t in your grand shed owning plans.

It’s frustrating! But it can sometimes be the reality of owning a timber building in a country like Scotland. 

The good news is, we’ve done everything we can to build you a braw building that will stand the test of time. Sometimes, you’ve just got to put in a little effort to make sure it stays looking as good as new, for as long as possible. 

Download our aftercare guide to find out what steps you need to take to keep your G&M building looking brand new.