We are experienced in house restoration techniques for the older period properties.
The property above has been cleaned, repaired and restored. The porch roor has been replaced and the stonework above the window has been replaced or repaired. Two steel lintels have been inserted to replace the undersized timber beam that had allowed the window area to collapse. The face has been re-pointed with lime mortar where necessary and all structural repairs have used the time honored method of lime mortar work.
Damage to the stonework can clearly be seen over the stone arch.
Further obvious damage to the stonework above the window that effectively is the roof of the bay window which of course would allow water penetration to the room interior and damage to the internal timber structures
As you can see the stone stringer around the entire building that acts as a water drip as well as a visual architectural feature has sustained considerable damage. The gutter has been leaking for a long time and has stained the wall and also made iot damp. The new owner of the building wishes to restore this fine house to its former glory. As you can see there has been considerable frost damage to some of the stonework as the picture on the right shows.
Damaged stonework has been replaced, downpipes painted and replaced. The stone arches repaired or replaced as necessary. The stonework above the window has been replaced prior to the replacement of the stonework for the roof above the bay window.
This side of the building needs various repairs, roof replacement above the bay window, stone repairs
and then cleaning and re-pointing.
This damage undermines the window structure and
needs careful repairing. The window mullion had
to be disassembled and then a new piece of stone had to glued into place before the window could be re-built. Corner stringers had to be replaced as with other damaged areas.
Repairs completed, this property now has the glamour and beauty that it deserves.
The transformation is copmplete and is not just a cosmetic success
but will enable this building to breathe properly and retain its true character.
Lime restoration is simple and effective and does not harm the fabric
of the building unlike cement based mortars.
This renovation is for a very neglected old building that used to be a Coopers. It is a chalk Cob structure that had been repaired with the wrong materials, modern paints and cement renders can be detrimental to a cob wall. The traditional materials using lime plasters and renders with a lime-wash paint maintain the fabric of the building more effectively.
Generally the cement cracks and water will get behind the render
and it will ” blow” the render away from the wall surface.
Removing the cement has to be done carefully to minimise damage
to the fabric. Holes have to be repaired.
The completed barn. After numerous coats of lime render
the surface is painted with traditional limewash
Revovations to interiors can have satisfying results
This example is of a simple room enlargement.
This is another example of a badly treated building. Under the render was a coat of bitumen which kept the walls damp.
The process of removing the old render has begun and the the re-render process has commenced. In this case we are adding a porch aswell.
The porch addition is almost complete. Renovation is not just about restoration to the original condition it is often more about up-grading and improving what was there in the first place.
The finished article on the outside. The interiors can be fun check out the interiors button to see some of the work we produce inside.
This is a flint and brick wall half way through construction.
This is the completed wall. The panels will be limewashed.
These items have been included to draw attention to the fact that we are builders that are able to undertake renovation projects and use the restoration techniques using lime renders, mortars, limewashes etc., that are necessary for house restoration and restore other old buildings to the best condition to survive the elements.
Using a lime render with a limewash allows the building to move and flex because it is more flexible than cement renders, it also allows moisture to easily escape the fabric, so the walls can dry out. If they get hairline cracks which they generally do with cob due to the changes in temperature etc the limewash becomes self -repairing. It is also much more eco-friendly, it absorbs carbon dioxide to cure and walls made with lime mortar can be recycled over and over. Cement walls that fail or buildings built with cement that need demolishing cannot be recycled they are just destined for landfill.
We consider ourselves Eco builders because we believe the techniques in building that we employ have a useful contribution in today’s modern world. Both in new construction and old.