This course on masonry shows how to install doors and windows in a non-damaging fashion with old stone buildings and how to prepare and use traditional lime mixture.  A great amount of damages have been caused to old buildings in the past mainly be two very destructive techniques and it is a goal of this publication to show alternative approaches.

• Using metallic parts and anchors to mount on limestone of window and door ledges.  These parts which were jammed into holes will corrode and by forming rust grow in volume and crack the stones.
• Using Portland cement or non-natural limes for masonry.  Such  binders contain a high  concentration of salts and these salts will over the years be transported into the bound stones (blooming).  The salts will re-crystallize in the pores of the stones and grow in volume and by doing this explode the stones from within similar to the effect of ice formation inside a stone.

A relatively great distance of 9 driving hours from his home to the castle is a particular challenge for the owner of the castle of Epanvilliers.  He also finds little local support in his efforts and thus has to organize all construction work at distance.  In spring 2000 for instance 10 doors and 8 door frames had to be moved along with a 4 meter screen, 16 lamps, 2 staircase ramps, metal parts for ceiling mountings, about 50 pieces of metal ceiling panes, cables and much more.

• I use a VW Passat for moving the material and take the following safety measures.  Always stay within the weight limits both for total load and for roof loads. Rain protecting foils must be used were water could increase the weight.
• I reinforced the gallery using wooden blocks which can not be detached from the gallery.  I also use wooden bars on the gallery to distribute the weight prevent bending.
• Professional quality straps are used for both fixing the loads to the gallery and for fixing the gallery to the car.  
• Loads inside the car must also be strapped to prevent moving.  Good sight clearances must be left.  
• Special care must be given when transporting steel rods - forward gliding must be prevented under all circumstances.  I pull wires across their mounting holes and fix these wires to the gallery.  
• I normaly use normal streets and not free-ways as lower speeds are tolerated.  The official speed limits are respected under all circumstances - even when driving 90km/h and below does not always make you friends in France.
• But I do like the French food and often visit my neighbors at Panievre