Booth and Son Restoration Ltd
Specialists in Every Aspect of Listed Building Restoration
The use of modern materials can, in some cases, have an extremely detrimental affect on an older property. For instance, the use of modern mortars & cement can cause damage to the brickwork of a period property as the modern mortar is much stronger & less flexible so any movement can damage the softer original brick. Remember these properties are designed to allow for settlement & movement caused by temperature & seasonal fluctuations.Also the use of modern plastering & decorating products can effectively 'trap' moisture in the building causing serious damage.At Booth and Son Restoration we are experienced in the use of traditional products and appreciate the need for materials such as Lime Mortars and Lath & Plaster techniques, as well as Venitian Lime Plaster finishes. It is usually a requirement of Local Authorities and English Heritage that these materials are used to maintain the fabric of the building.With our specialist preparation and the use of correct materials we can restore your property to its former glory and create a building that will not only stand the test of time, but will also re-create that period 'feel' that modern houses simply cannot match.
The use of modern materials can, in some cases, have an extremely detrimental affect on an older property. For instance, the use of modern mortars & cement can cause damage to the brickwork of a period property as the modern mortar is much stronger & less flexible so any movement can damage the softer original brick. Remember these properties are designed to allow for settlement & movement caused by temperature & seasonal fluctuations.
Also the use of modern plastering & decorating products can effectively 'trap' moisture in the building causing serious damage.
At Booth and Son Restoration we are experienced in the use of traditional products and appreciate the need for materials such as Lime Mortars and Lath & Plaster techniques, as well as Venitian Lime Plaster finishes. It is usually a requirement of Local Authorities and English Heritage that these materials are used to maintain the fabric of the building.
With our specialist preparation and the use of correct materials we can restore your property to its former glory and create a building that will not only stand the test of time, but will also re-create that period 'feel' that modern houses simply cannot match.
The images above show work in progress to repair a timber framed building that had been subject to incorrect cement rendering methods.The structure of the older part of the building is of timber frame and brick infill with lime mortar. This had been cement rendered in an attempt to repair the structure, but this may well have caused more damage.The timber frame and lime mortar infills are subject to movement from seasonal fluctuations in temperature and moisture. The cement renderwas effectively trapping moisture and movement of the structure would cause the stronger more rigid cement to damage the brickwork.The cement render had to be carefully removed, and several of the brick infill sections had to be completely rebuilt because of the damage the cement had caused. The repaired walls were then lime rendered using an initial 'harl' coat followed by subsequent haired lime render coats and a finish coat. 5 coats of limewash were applied to finish and assist in moisture run off.The structure can now accomodate the movement as it was designed to do without the risk of crumbling away.
The images above show work in progress to repair a timber framed building that had been subject to incorrect cement rendering methods.
The structure of the older part of the building is of timber frame and brick infill with lime mortar. This had been cement rendered in an attempt to repair the structure, but this may well have caused more damage.
The timber frame and lime mortar infills are subject to movement from seasonal fluctuations in temperature and moisture. The cement render
was effectively trapping moisture and movement of the structure would cause the stronger more rigid cement to damage the brickwork.
The cement render had to be carefully removed, and several of the brick infill sections had to be completely rebuilt because of the damage the cement had caused. The repaired walls were then lime rendered using an initial 'harl' coat followed by subsequent haired lime render coats and a finish coat. 5 coats of limewash were applied to finish and assist in moisture run off.
The structure can now accomodate the movement as it was designed to do without the risk of crumbling away.
Lime putty mortars and natural hydraulic limes offer advantages over cement based mortars. They are generally a softer, more porous material allowing moisture to evaporate from the joints in preference to the stone. This will help to lower moisture levels in the wall and reduce the build up of soluble salts in the stone face. As with all lime putty based materials the best outcome requires patience and careful control of drying and suction, the reward being a good looking and long lasting mortar. Occasionally cracks in walls caused by excessive movement require more than pointing to repair. In this case we use a method of 'crack stitching' using a series of specialist stainless steel rods embedded into the mortar to arrest excessive movement whilst maintaining the buildings natural flexibility. Once correctly re-pointed these re-enforcements are invisible.Should the bricks be excessively damaged we can source reclaimed bricks to match, and utilise these in repairs to maintain the appearance of your property.
Lime putty mortars and natural hydraulic limes offer advantages over cement based mortars. They are generally a softer, more porous material allowing moisture to evaporate from the joints in preference to the stone. This will help to lower moisture levels in the wall and reduce the build up of soluble salts in the stone face. As with all lime putty based materials the best outcome requires patience and careful control of drying and suction, the reward being a good looking and long lasting mortar.
Occasionally cracks in walls caused by excessive movement require more than pointing to repair. In this case we use a method of 'crack stitching' using a series of specialist stainless steel rods embedded into the mortar to arrest excessive movement whilst maintaining the buildings natural flexibility. Once correctly re-pointed these re-enforcements are invisible.
Should the bricks be excessively damaged we can source reclaimed bricks to match, and utilise these in repairs to maintain the appearance of your property.
The clip here shows how Booth and Son Restoration Ltd. managed to savea crumbling arch from collapse. Officials feared the delicate detail in the plaster and cornice work would be lost as the arch needed major structural repairs.A series of custom supports were fabricated to support the arch in place whilstthe rotten timbers and brickwork above were replaced to support the roof.The damaged plaster areas were re-lathed and lime plastered, the crumbling ornate cornice was hand moulded to make exact replicated repair sections...Depending on your download speed this clip may take a few seconds to load, please be patient.
The clip here shows how Booth and Son Restoration Ltd. managed to save
a crumbling arch from collapse. Officials feared the delicate detail in the plaster and cornice work would be lost as the arch needed major structural repairs.
A series of custom supports were fabricated to support the arch in place whilst
the rotten timbers and brickwork above were replaced to support the roof.
The damaged plaster areas were re-lathed and lime plastered, the crumbling ornate cornice was hand moulded to make exact replicated repair sections...
Depending on your download speed this clip may take a few seconds to load, please be patient.
Lime Applications
