Historic Windmill Restoration
Glulam Sail Components
Drinkstone Suffolk
Some projects require more than standard supply. They require accuracy, coordination, and respect for the structure they serve. This project involved supplying machined timber for the sails of a historic windmill in Suffolk, as part of a restoration to return it to working condition.
Drinkstone Windmill Project Overview
Windmill sails are structural, exposed, and constantly in motion.
Each component must be produced with precision and consistency to perform as intended.
We advised on the selection of European larch for its durability and suitability for external exposure. The sections forming the sails were then manufactured by our specialist glulam supplier in Austria, based on detailed drawings and machining specifications produced by us.
Machining and Scale
The sections extended beyond 13 metres in length, requiring careful coordination and control throughout.
All components were:
Detailed and specified to exact profiles
Manufactured to consistent sections across full lengths
Finished to suit both structural and exposed use
At this scale, accuracy is critical.
Small deviations are amplified across the assembly.
Coordination and Delivery
Once manufactured, the sections were prepared and shipped for installation.
Projects of this nature depend on alignment between:
Material selection
Design detailing
Manufacturing accuracy
Site assembly
Each stage must follow the last without compromise.
A Small Detail
An offcut from the larch was returned, cut down, and engraved to create a plaque for Bob and Trish Baker, recognising the care and commitment behind the restoration.
Outcome
The completed sails now form part of a working structure, returning motion to a historic windmill.
A Practical Example of Capability
This project reflects what can be achieved through clear detailing and coordinated supply:
Informed material selection
Production of detailed machining drawings
Control of long-length structural elements
Accurate delivery of components to specification
Considering a Similar Project?
If your project involves detailed timber components, longer sections, or coordinated supply, we’re happy to discuss availability, lead times, and practical considerations.