Lime Plastering & Traditional Renders

Lime plastering involves applying one or more coats of lime-based plaster to internal walls and ceilings. Traditional lime plaster is mixed using lime putty or hydraulic lime combined with aggregates such as sand and sometimes animal hair for reinforcement. The result is a surface that regulates humidity, resists mould growth, and develops a beautiful, slightly textured finish that improves with age. Lime plaster is particularly important in buildings with solid walls, where it allows moisture from the masonry to evaporate safely into the room. Restoration work often involves carefully matching the original plaster's composition and aggregate to achieve an invisible repair.

Lime pointing is the process of filling the joints between bricks or stones with lime mortar. Period properties were built using lime mortars that are softer than the masonry units themselves, allowing the joints to act as sacrificial elements that can be renewed over time. Repointing with modern cement is one of the most damaging things that can happen to an old building, as it traps moisture and causes the brick or stone faces to spall. Professional lime pointing involves carefully raking out old mortar to the appropriate depth, selecting a lime mortar that matches the original in colour, texture, and strength, and applying it with a finish appropriate to the building's period and style.

Lime render is an external coating applied to masonry walls for weather protection and aesthetic purposes. Traditional lime renders are built up in multiple coats, with each layer slightly weaker than the one beneath, creating a durable yet breathable protective finish. Many period properties were originally lime rendered, and neglected or inappropriately patched renders often need professional attention. Lime render can be finished in various textures from smooth to roughcast (harling) and can be limewashed in any colour. Unlike cement render, lime is flexible and will accommodate building movement without cracking, and any fine cracks that do occur tend to self-heal through carbonation.