Preserving your historic home
Expertly Restored
Why Lime Mortar
Lime mortar is the very reason we still have some of our wonderful historic houses. As foundations have moved the soft lime mortar has allowed the bricks to slide rather than break. Walls bend and remain tied together. If we can use a soft lime mortar for our repairs to brickwork we will continue to preserve our heritage. Whether we use a lime putty or NHL lime mortar will depend on the job. Where we need a faster initial set for structural work NHL lime mortar is better.
Cement
Where cement is used instead of lime mortar the consequences can be dire for historic houses. Lime mortar aids evaporation and dries out brickwork whereas cement locks it in. In winter this can start a process where water gets behind cement pointing or render and freezes damaging brick faces and allowing more water ingress and more freezing.
Lime Mortar and wood
I remember once while fitting a new sash window we had to remove a fixing block cut it and reset it. The block had been in the wall surrounded by lime mortar for hundreds of years but when cut the smell of pine was so powerful you would think it had just been felled, the exposed grain shimmering. On the other hand we have come across an oak beam nine inches square that was in a wall rendered with cement. The end in the wall had rotted away. We had to build in a stone corbel to increase the bearing of the beam. When cement locks in the moisture it’s bad for everything.
Our Services
Restoration
Create a fireplace to match existing.
Brickwork
Use of lime mortars and re-claimed bricks to restore historic masonry.
Carpentry
Create a cupboard to Match existing.
Our Core Values
We are committed to preserving the rich heritage of historic buildings through our expert restoration and renovation services. We bring decades of experience, a passion for craftsmanship, and a deep respect for historical preservation to every project.
Contact Us
Reach out today and letʼs bring your historic building back to its former glory.