Heritage Architecture – What Building Materials Should I Use?

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Heritage Architecture What Building
Materials Should I Use?
Building techniques that have endured through the
ages have done so for a reason they produce
dwellings that have an innate affinity for their
surroundings and are also natural, strong, and
visually pleasing. In older homes, damp
prevention requires adopting techniques such as
using lime mortar rather than concrete, and
like-for-like repair is always the best
option. We are surrounded by heritage houses,
with about 25 of UK housing stock constructed
before 1919. It follows that there are over 5
million traditionally built homes in England,
making it likely that you live in one, are
neighbours with one, or pass one every day
without even realising it.
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Old structures are typically constructed of
stone, brick, timber, and earth (cob or wattle
and daub), which are then covered in earth or
lime-based plaster, render, or paint. These
materials are breathable because they allow
moisture to permeate the cloth and then
evaporate away safely when the conditions are
right.
Bricks Bricks from that era were softer, measured
in imperial rather than metric units, and
typically placed with lime mortar. Modern cements
shouldnt ever be used to repoint these softer
bricks because they can harm them. Depending on
their basic ingredients and the processing
method used, their colours vary locally from
yellows to buffs and reds, as do their
qualities. Bricks that are hand-made or
hand-finished have a traditional appearance that
is aesthetically pleasing, but employing them
will increase your costs. It is wise to limit
brick replacements for renovations to those that
have suffered substantial damage. Use fresh ones
that will mature over time instead of recycled
ones. Reclamation yards have a lot of second-hand
bricks available if you decide to take this
option. However, it is prudent to avoid utilising
reclaimed bricks as they may be damaged or unfit
for external usage.
Lime Up until the turn of the 20th century, lime
was a crucial component of construction. It was
used for plastering walls and ceilings as well as
render, limewash, and mortar to bind
bricks. Its primary quality is permeability,
which lets a building breathe rather than
suffocate and it also prevents dampness.
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• Regardless of the historical era or even the
  social position of the structure itself, using
  lime mortar in traditional constructions has
  several advantages.
• Lime is porous and vapour permeable, making it
  breathable.
• Traditionally, lime mortar has been softer than
  the bricks it adheres to, allowing moisture to
  escape through the mortars sacrificial bed.
• Due to its flexibility, lime may accept some
  structural movement and settling.
• Lime wash was used in cellars, laundries, and
  dairies as well as to protect the exterior of
  buildings because it is permeable and
  antimicrobial.
• In order to protect and preserve the oak while
  allowing it to breathe, timber frames were
  frequently lime washed.
• Traditional structures dont need to be damp
  proofed, as doing so would hinder them from
  breathing as they were designed to.

Given that both Hampton Court Palace and any
Victorian estate workers cottage were built
with similar materials, and both require air to
breathe, they should be maintained
similarly. For contemporary usage, lime render
is excellent for re-rendering existing walls (as
long as they havent been painted) and classic
wood frames, particularly green oak. Limewashed
walls have a deep matte surface and a lovely
multi-shaded look, whether they are painted
white naturally or with pigment added. The colour
gently changes depending on how much moisture is
kept in the wall behind it. Lime is available as
a raw material in two forms hydraulic (in powder
form) and non- hydraulic (in the form of thick
lime putty, which is sold either as hydrated or
bag lime or in a tub). The hydrated powder
can also be used to create usable lime putty. The
appropriate mixture for each work takes skilful
mixing, and depending on the use, sand and even
animal hair may be added. Formulations vary based
on use.
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Earths and Clays
Protective equipment is necessary since lime is
extremely caustic and its reaction with water
can be violent, producing a lot of heat. While it
cures, it also needs to be protected from cold.
Cob houses, which are again being utilised by a
select few to construct homes, are typically
found in Devon and are constructed from a mixture
of dirt, straw, dung, and animal hair. The cob
is prepared on site, layered, then lime-washed
after drying. For ages, clay has been used as
render, plaster, and as a paint base. It offers a
porous, permeable finish similar to lime. Clay
exterior renders are generally not advised due
to our humid climate because they could get
saturated and, in severe circumstances, wash
away. However, it is not nearly as hardwearing as
lime and will need further weatherproofing.
Stone Stone has been a crucial component of
construction for a very long time, from flint
through sandstone and limestone. Reconstituted or
imitation stone may be a better option because
the expense of new construction can be
costly. Local quarries have historically
produced a wide range of stone, from the rough
granite of Cornwall to the honey-toned Cotswold
stone that gives the region its enduring
appeal. Flint walls used to be able to be both
structural and aesthetic, but because cavity
walls are now required by building codes, flint
is typically knapped to give it a clean face and
used as cladding that is embedded in render.
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Timber
Timber frame construction predominated until the
introduction of brick, and there are still large
populations of historic structures in places like
Lavenham, Stratford-upon- Avon, and Ludlow. More
than any other traditional building method, it is
seeing a renaissance, with many businesses
specialising in wood frame, green oak, and post-
and-beam construction. These structures naturally
complement other conventional materials, like
lime plaster, because of their nature.
Conclusion There are a variety of different
materials that you can incorporate into your
restoration or refurb of heritage buildings. Old
House Store has a range of Lime Plasters and
Mortars to help you stay in keeping with the
traditional aesthetic of your heritage project.
Speak to us on 0118 946 9146 and we can advise
you on the best products for the job. Source
URL - https//www.oldhousestore.co.uk/heritage-arc
hitecture-what-building- materials-should-i-use/