Specialists in Period, Listed and Historic Buildings
Lime render
Renders were always originally lime based, keeping the stone, cob and timber dry
beneath and allowing the walls to 'breathe. Unfortunately, in recent years it has
become common practice to use impervious cement rich renders. Because such renders
are inflexible and non-
For these reasons never apply a cement rich render to old walls.
Lime Plaster
Similarly to the exterior of your old property, the interior of it also needs to be able to breathe for the same reasons, and again, with the emergence of gypsum plaster many properties are now found to have modern day plasters and emulsion paints used to decorate.
These plasters cause the same problems as the exterior render and can often be spotted by areas of damp, cracking or where the emulsion will just flake and fall off.
The proper method of repair for such buildings, most importantly on the ground and
exterior walls is to use lime plaster. This is normally applied in a 3 coat method
(although it does vary depending on the background (wether it is wooden lathes,
cob, or stone construction) but commonly the first coat is a haired coat of lime
mortar which has horse hair in the mix, this helps to bond the background together,
then there is a second coat of unhaired mortar followed by a fine finish coat which
can be trowelled or floated to the required finish.
This should then be limewashed,
distempered or an earth paint used to finish.
Sublime Renovations Main Office: 9 Dolphin Court, High Street, Honiton, Devon EX14 1HT
Telephone: 01404 549065. Mobile 07710 057954. Email: kevmiles1@aol.com