Roof structure renovation in the Briançonnais

Breathing new life into the historic roof structures of the Briançonnais

The built heritage of the Hautes-Alpes is remarkably rich: century-old alpine barns, traditional farmsteads in the Guisane valley, summer chalets in Serre-Chevalier, stone-built houses of the upper Durance. These buildings bear witness to ancestral craftsmanship and deserve restoration worthy of their history. At Wood & Roof, we approach the renovation of old roof structures with absolute respect for the original fabric, because we do not restore an eighteenth-century barn in the same way that we build a garage.

Our approach always begins with a thorough survey of the existing structure. We assess the condition of every timber member (purlins, rafters, tie beams, principal rafters, king posts) to determine what can be retained, treated or replaced. This visual and structural survey allows us to establish a precise intervention plan and a transparent quote, with no unpleasant surprises during the works.

Structural repair and replacement of roof structure members

When an old roof structure contains timber weakened by moisture, wood-boring insects or simply the wear of time, we carry out structural repair. This operation involves replacing the damaged members while preserving the original assembly. We cut the new members in our workshop from timber of the same species and the same cross-section as the existing elements, most commonly Larch or Spruce for alpine roof structures.

Traditional joints (mortise and tenon, halving, scarf joints) are reproduced identically to guarantee the structural integrity of the whole. We avoid modern metal connectors in heritage roof structures wherever possible, not out of purism, but because timber-to-timber joints offer better load distribution and greater flexibility in response to building movement — a critical point in a seismic zone such as the Hautes-Alpes.

Barn restoration: conversion and preservation

The conversion of agricultural barns into dwellings is a significant challenge in the Briançonnais. These characterful buildings, with their generous volumes and exposed roof structures, attract many buyers. Their transformation requires specific expertise: reinforcing the roof structure to carry insulation and the final covering, creating intermediate floors without altering the volume, integrating roof windows and joinery into existing openings.

We have restored and converted several barns between Briançon, Villeneuve-la-Salle and Saint-Chaffrey. Every project is unique: some barns retain partial agricultural use (storage, garage) while housing accommodation on the upper floor; others are fully transformed into a main residence or a mountain holiday letting. In all cases, we work closely with architects and the planning authorities to respect the local planning rules and, where applicable, the requirements of the Heritage Building Architects.

Treatment and protection of roof timber

Timber treatment is an essential step in any roof structure renovation. In the mountains, timbers are exposed to harsh conditions: residual moisture, freeze-thaw cycles, attack by woodworm and longhorn beetles. We apply curative and preventive treatments by injection or spray, using CTB-P+ certified products that are safe for indoor environments. When timbers show significant damage (cubic rot, deep insect galleries), we carry out selective cutting back followed by consolidation using timber grafts or prosthetic inserts.

Old larch shingle roofs and the heritage of the Briançonnais

The built heritage of the Briançonnais — Vauban fortifications, high-altitude hamlets, stone farmhouses — calls for specific expertise when restoring roofs. We replace, like for like, the old coverings of split larch shingle still found on the traditional barns and chalets of the upper Durance valley. Our work respects the original materials, proportions and techniques. Contact us for a free quote — we travel throughout the Briançonnais, from Briançon to Guillestre, via Vallouise, L'Argentière-la-Bessée and the Clarée valley.