We are based in the midlands in county Longford therefore we are well placed to cover projects across the whole of Ireland and have carried out several projects in the London and Hertfordshire area in the UK. We offer free consultation and advice and subject to location we can arrange a free on site visit. We carry all trades in house and are well equipped to complete the most complex projects As well as refurbishments of all types of buildings old and new we also have built many new homes through the counties in Ireland.

Telephone :   043 84392 Email :   info@kevinmcloughlinltd.com

WHY USE LIME PLASTER TECHNIQUES ?

Virtually all old buildings were constructed using lime. It was used in conjunction with many materials according to regional differences. Brick, stone, earth and timber-framed buildings all relied on lime as a vital ingredient in mortar, render, plaster and decoration before the widespread use of cement and gypsum became more common from the mid 19th century onwards.

Lime was slower to build with and required skill and patience from the builder, but produced durable, attractive and healthy results. Damp was allowed to evaporate away harmlessly, and the 'soft but tough' materials worked in harmony with seasonal changes in humidity and temperature.

There are very few old buildings without some problems in the form of damp, peeling paint, crumbling plaster or flaking render. Repairing lime-based buildings with lime-based materials can often solve many of these problems, and will invariably prevent more from developing. Sometimes simply removing impervious plastic paint and replacing it with limewash can alleviate problem damp and condensation providing the original lime plaster is in reasonable condition.

ENVIRONMENTALLY, TECHNIQUES

Most standard new materials are unsuitable for using on old buildings, there are other very valid reasons that traditional materials should be considered, even for use in new buildings. Cement, gypsum and plastics (and the stronger of the hydraulic limes) are generally 'one way' materials. Once used they cannot be converted back into their basic raw ingredients, and many are not readily biodegradable.

A building made of timber, earth and lime has caused less pollution to build and will eventually degrade in an environmentally less damaging way. Stone, timber and earth are also reusable, as is old lime mortar rubble which can become an ingredient in a new mix. Non-hydraulic lime in a building eventually reverts to the same chemical as when it was quarried, though obviously in a different location. In the long term, the elements of a traditional building can reproduce themselves.