Lime Plaster & Breathable Building Conservation
LIME PLASTER & BREATHABLE BUILDING CONSERVATION
SERVICES
Lime plastering and breathable building conservation
I work mainly with older buildings, using lime plaster and breathable materials that are appropriate for the fabric of the building.
The work ranges from traditional lime plastering and repairs to breathable insulation systems, always with the same aim — to understand what the building needs before deciding how best to approach it.
01
Traditional lime plastering & repair
Lime plaster is well suited to many older buildings, allowing walls to manage moisture rather than trapping it behind impermeable finishes.
I undertake traditional lime plastering and repairs, from small areas of failed plaster through to complete rooms. Where possible, sound original plaster is retained and repaired rather than removed unnecessarily.
02
Breathable internal insulation & separation systems
Older walls sometimes need more than simply a new coat of plaster. Where appropriate, breathable internal insulation can improve the thermal performance of solid external walls, while separation layers can provide a suitable background where plastering directly onto the existing masonry isn’t appropriate.
I work with natural systems including cork and wood-fibre insulation, alongside breathable separation layers such as woodwool boards. The build-up is chosen to suit the condition and construction of the building rather than applying the same solution everywhere.
03
Lime used appropriately
Lime is not a cure for every problem in an old building. Before starting work, I look carefully at the existing background, its condition and the materials that have previously been used.
Sometimes existing plaster can sensibly be retained and worked with. In other situations it is better to remove a complete area and apply new lime plaster.
Breathable boards and other compatible materials can also be introduced where they provide a more suitable background. The aim is not simply to use lime everywhere, but to choose a plaster build-up that suits the building and gives the new work the best chance of performing properly.
04
Formed by hand
Older buildings rarely have perfectly straight walls, square openings or uniform surfaces. New plasterwork doesn’t always need to introduce them.
Where it suits the building, corners, reveals and other details can be formed by hand, allowing the new plaster to follow the character and slight irregularities of the existing structure.
The aim isn’t to make new work look old, but to avoid taking away the character that’s already there.
05
Working with
old buildings
Over the years, repairs and alterations can introduce a variety of materials, and two walls in the same room can sometimes require different approaches.
I look at the existing construction and choose materials and plaster build-ups to suit each area, rather than assuming the whole room needs the same specification.
This might mean retaining sound existing fabric, introducing a breathable board or separation layer, or returning an area to the original masonry.
The aim is to work with the building as it is, rather than trying to make it conform to a standard solution.
Do you have a project you'd like to discuss?
If you're considering having some lime plastering work carried out in an older property, I'd be happy to have an initial conversation about the building and what might be appropriate.