Historic Scotland Scholarship recipient: Conservation Masonry NPA
At McLean Historic Timber and Lime Conservation, we perform, conservation, restoration, renovation of traditional stone and lime mortar.Building walls using traditional masonry techniques using lime mortars allow a building to breathe.
Unlike modern, inflexible, impermeable cement mortar, Natural hydraulic and non-hydraulic limes are the traditional products that craftsmen have used for generations. The fact that we have buildings still standing today after centuries is a testament to traditional building methods and materials.
Masonry work carried out by us tends to fall into one of the following categories:
Repointing of Lime Mortar
One of the most common type of repair to traditional buildings. Lime mortar is not only flexible, but is also breathable and therefore allows any moisture to evaporate from within the walls. Cement based mortars are neither breathable, nor flexible. This causes 'micro-cracks' to form, allowing moisture into the wall, but not allowing it to evaporate readily.
When mortar deteriorates, the following is likely to happen:
- Rainwater will find it's way into the walls
- In winter, trapped water will be hardened and cause 'spalling' of the face of the brick or stone
- Once wet, the thermal qualities of the building are affected. Trapped air is vital to good insulation. We mortar is not
- Wet is attracted to dry. Moisture in walls will be attracted the warm dry interior of the building. This will manifest itself as mould
- Eventually structural will cause expensive damage the building
Stone Wall Repair
Over time it is normal, even expected that the natural movement of earth and buildings may cause pointing, mortar and therefore, stones to require maintenance, Causes of this are often settlement, nearby roadworks, construction or alterations to the building.
Inappropriate materials, such as cement based mortar or harling/render will increase dampness in the walls of a home. Mortar laden with moisture - that may have previously evaporated harmlessly - will move slightly, upsetting the properties within the wall.
As a professional contractor, stones will be reset and mortared in place in a manner that will leave the wall both structurally sound and aesthetically pleasing.
New Stone Walls
There are various reasons to build a new wall in a traditional manner; discerning building owners, local authorities and those after individuality.
Well made stone walls are not only beautiful and historically sympathetic to the built history of the country, but are also environmentally friendly when compared to manufactured block, brick or artificial stone.
Other
Replacement of stone features; window cills etc
Call us:
0777 614 9787 - 01698 826 941
