TRADITIONAL LIME MORTAR WORK
Limeway Renovation and Conservation for Old and Listed Buildings
At Limeway Wiltshire, we are traditional lime mortar specialists offering services including lime mortar repointing, brick, chalk, and flint replacement, lime rendering, lime plastering, and Limecrete flooring. We have a specialist skill set and an excellent reputation for traditional lime renovation and the conservation of old and listed buildings. Our reputation in the industry is unrivalled, and we have a strong, growing presence in Swindon and Wiltshire as the company to call for all specialist and traditional lime mortar work.
Our expert team is dedicated to preserving the heritage and character of historic buildings. We use only the highest-quality materials and traditional methods to ensure the integrity and longevity of our work. Whether restoring a crumbling wall or applying a new lime render, we approach each project with care and precision. Trust Limeway Wiltshire for all your traditional lime mortar needs and experience the difference of working with true specialists in the field.
Why Use Lime for Old Buildings?
Lime plaster is a traditional building material that, unlike concrete and gypsum, is breathable (vapour permeable). This allows the masonry to ‘breathe’, meaning that moisture is not retained within the masonry and can evaporate naturally.
Gypsum plaster is used in modern houses and works well with modern cavity walls; however, most old buildings do not have cavity walls, and unfortunately, many have been incorrectly restored and plastered with gypsum or modern cement, which is not vapour-permeable and thus traps moisture in the masonry. Therefore, the use of modern materials (cement and gypsum) on old buildings often leads to dampness and mould growth and can cause long-term damage to the masonry.
Lime Render is breathable (vapour-permeable) and has a degree of elasticity, allowing the masonry to breathe and flex with the building (old buildings naturally flex with the seasons). However, cement is often used as a low-cost alternative to lime render. Unfortunately, this is a false economy that often leads to long-term problems.
Cement is impermeable to vapour and hard. It will eventually crack because it will not move with the building. Once the cement on the exterior of a building cracks, water ingress occurs. Water ingress leads to cement coming away from the wall, and the wall itself becomes ‘friable’ (easily crumbled). Should a wall reach the stage of being friable, sections of the wall may need to be replaced to maintain its integrity.
Environmentally Friendly Option
Lime is an environmentally friendly option with a lower carbon footprint than Portland cement during manufacturing. In addition, Lime absorbs carbon dioxide, further reducing its carbon footprint.
If you want to learn more about the various types of lime used, or request a quote, please call us on 01793 378 078 or 07727 687 535, or email us at james@limewaywiltshire.co.uk.