Exterior Refurbishment

In the main, the exterior refurbishment comprises the renovation of all windows, the laying of a new roof, the plastering of facades facing the garden and minor repairs to sandstone features. The renovation of the roof in particular was considerably more comprehensive than originally estimated due to extensive dry rot damage to the roof structure.

Windows

A high priority was given to preserving the original windows, most of which date from the 1700s and 1800s. The quality of windows dating from this era is fantastic. With proper treatment and maintenance, the windows could theoretically last for an unlimited period of time. Newly-made hand-blown glass panes were primarily used to replace worn or cracked panes.

Side wings

The side wings of Amalienborg Castle complex were restored concurrent with the exterior and interior refurbishment of Frederik VIII’s Palace. The side wings were resting on oak piles, and this foundation turned out to be inadequate due the lowering of the water table and other factors, which had weakened the oak piles. The side wings are now resting on concrete piles, pressed into the substrata beneath the side wings’ outer walls and load-bearing partition walls. In continuation of this, facades, windows and roof structure have been re-established. The foundation work caused a certain amount of consequential damage to the buildings. This damage was repaired on an ongoing basis. Certain interior components have also been modernised wherever necessary.

Patio

A new feature is a patio established on top of the existing butler’s kitchen at the east end of the palace.