Ralph is correct about end grain and painting.  Don't know about
mahogany.  You might want to detail a metal covering over the
blantantly horizontal surfaces.  But there is no way around it...if you
are going to use wood, use the best wood you can find, with the
tightest grain, fit it tight, prime everything, paint everything and
paint it again...and again...and again.  Hire someone ona  forever
contract to come and paint it every two years or so whether it needs it
or not.

You might try a wood preservative.  There's a lot of expertise on that
stuff on the list.

Sure is a pretty building.


-jc

On Thursday, July 24, 2003, at 12:55  PM, Becker, Dan wrote:

> Pinheads:
>
> Your replacement material recommendations, please.
>
> Our parks department has management responsibility for a historic
> landmark that  is used as a community center, the Tucker House. It is a
> neo-Classical Revival house with a monumental semi-circular two-story
> front porch surmounted by a balustrade completely exposed to the
> weather.
>
> It rots out a lot. The current railing is a replacement about
> ten-fifteen years old, and it is rotting away from a poor choice of
> wood. I think it was your standard untreated yellow pine, maybe douglas
> fir. But it was modern farm-grown stuff, obviously.
>
> What material/species of wood would you replace this with that would
> yield a more durable result? We have some ideas but would welcome your
> considered advice based upon your considerable experience. PVC and
> fiberglass are not recommended choices.
>
> I have posted pictures at PigHabit-L. Follow this link:
>
> http://photos.groups.yahoo.com/group/PigHabit-L/lst
>
> Thank you and many kindnesses.
>
> __________________________________________________
> Dan Becker,  Exec. Dir.    "Oh joy!  Rapture!  Now
> Raleigh Historic            I have a brain!"
> Districts Commission                   - Scarecrow
> [log in to unmask]
> 919/807-8480
>
> --
> To terminate puerile preservation prattling among pals and the
> uncoffee-ed, or to change your settings, go to:
> <http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/bullamanka-pinheads.html>
>

--
To terminate puerile preservation prattling among pals and the
uncoffee-ed, or to change your settings, go to:
<http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/bullamanka-pinheads.html>