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Putlog holes or putlock holes are small holes made in the walls of structures to receive the ends of poles (small round logs) or beams, called
File:Aigues-Mortes.jpg, Putlog holes for hoardings are visible running along the top of the
Putlog holes or putlock holes are small holes made in the walls of structures to receive the ends of poles (small round logs) or beams, called putlog
Scaffolding, also called scaffold or staging, is a temporary structure used to support a work crew and materials to aid in the construction, maintenance and repair of buildings, bridges and all other man-made structures. Scaffolds are widely used ...
s or putlocks, to support a scaffolding
Scaffolding, also called scaffold or staging, is a temporary structure used to support a work crew and materials to aid in the construction, maintenance and repair of buildings, bridges and all other man-made structures. Scaffolds are widely use ...
. Putlog holes may extend through a wall to provide staging on both sides of the wall.
A historically common type of scaffolding, putlog holes date from ancient Roman buildings. The term putlock and the newer term putlog date from the 17th century and are still used today. Putlogs may be supported on the outer ends by vertical poles (standards), cantilevered by one end being firmly embedded in the wall, or cantilevered by penetrating the wall to provide scaffolds on both sides. Putlogs may be sawn off flush with the wall if they cannot be removed,Adam, Jean Pierre. ''Roman building: materials and techniques''. Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1994. 151-152. Print. but exterior putlog holes are typically filled in as the scaffold is removed to prevent water from entering the walls. Interior putlog holes may be left open, particularly if not in a finished space.
The inconsequential size and the spacing of the holes meant that they did not affect the solidity of the walls, and in well-preserved castles, like Beaumaris
Beaumaris ( ; cy, Biwmares ) is a town and community on the Isle of Anglesey in Wales, of which it is the former county town of Anglesey. It is located at the eastern entrance to the Menai Strait, the tidal waterway separating Anglesey from th ...
, the ancient putlog holes can be seen to this day.
Gallery
wall
A wall is a structure and a surface that defines an area; carries a load; provides security, shelter, or soundproofing; or, is decorative. There are many kinds of walls, including:
* Walls in buildings that form a fundamental part of the sup ...
at Aigues-Mortes
Aigues-Mortes (; oc, Aigas Mòrtas) is a commune in the Gard department in the Occitania region of southern France. The medieval city walls surrounding the city are well preserved. Situated on the junction of the Canal du Rhône à Sète a ...
, France
France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans. Its metropolitan area ...
.
File:Echafaud.donjon.Coucy.2.png, Cantilevered putlogs support the access ramp scaffold
Scaffolding, also called scaffold or staging, is a temporary structure used to support a work crew and materials to aid in the construction, maintenance and repair of buildings, bridges and all other man-made structures. Scaffolds are widely used ...
in this castle construction.
File:HEBI-Richtfest-5.jpg, Most of the putlogs are still in place in this scaffolding; thus, the holes are visible.
File:Mendel II 054 r.jpg, A German plasterer at work with putlogs going into the half-timbered (fachwerk) walls.
File:Putlock Construction, St Mary Magdalene Great Burstead.jpg, 14th Century West Tower at St Mary Magdalene church, Great Burstead, showing original Putlocks from artisans
See also
*Viga (architecture)
Vigas are wooden beams used in the traditional adobe architecture of the American Southwest, especially New Mexico. In this type of construction, the vigas are the main structural members carrying the weight of the roof to the load-bearing ext ...
References
Castle architecture Medieval architecture Architectural elements Scaffolding {{Hist-stub