Lime Render Systems and Finishes

There are a number of pre-mixed lime renders available to meet contemporary site requirements. These can include hydraulic limes which will set in the presence of water, as opposed to a reliance on lime putty carbonation only. There are also insulated renders, which can include hemp or light weight aggregates and wood fibre insulation boards; which can be fitted between panels of traditional timber framed buildings and rendered over with a pre-mix reinforced lime render. In this news letter we will discuss using pre-mixed hydraulic lime renders; one job part finished; and set out to give the appearance of a timbered elevation, replacing plant on decorative timbers which can allow moisture ingress and decay and one full render system on a large detached house which has been finished and decorated.

Both systems are built up in a series of coats: a scratch coat to even out suction with a fibre mesh coat to prevent cracking and float coats with a setting coat to rule in line and provide a finished surface.

Lime renders move with the building and also allow the walls to breath naturally. The limes are also compatible with traditional methods of building and materials, so help to keep the buildings free from dampness, whilst at the same time providing a pleasing aesthetic appearance.

The building below which was rendered to give the appearance of timber panelling was set out first, so rendered bands could be run in to give the appearance of a timbered wall, then the float and setting coats were run in with these bands to produce and even homogenous surface ready to receive decoration. The image shows the upper bands and setting coats completed and ready for decoration, and the lower areas floated and ruled ready to receive the setting coat.