Call Us: 01189 469 148 | Email Us: info@quatradirect.co.uk
Call Us: 01189 469 148 | Email Us: info@quatradirect.co.uk
For centuries, architects and conservators have searched for building materials sympathetic to traditional construction. Lime is one of the most important elements they found in their search. Lime is an essential building material for any construction project, from repairing old buildings to building new ones. It’s a versatile substance that can be used as a binder for older, more brittle buildings.
Lime is also a great material for reinforcing new structures. It’s an excellent insulator, and it can help prevent moisture from getting into the building. It’s also very easy to work with and lasts a long time, making it an ideal choice for any project.
But why does lime work so well for construction? Let’s take a look at just how this amazing material makes buildings last longer.
Lime mortar is the oldest and most durable of building materials; it also has withstood many challenges over its long history. Lime mortar is a mixture of sand, water and lime, which has been used for centuries. This material was essential to the construction of many famous buildings.
The Great Wall of China is an example of a structure where many sections were built around 518 – 618AD. Its survival has been based on its maintenance. Having been maintained continuously for over 2000 years, the use of lime in its construction was imperative.
Also, the Egyptians used lime as a plaster when they built their pyramids, recognising the durable, flexible and breathable qualities that made it ideal for this purpose. These 4000BC superstructures still stand today.
Today, lime is used in the restoration and maintenance of historic buildings as a flexible material that can improve air quality while also staving off moisture. The use of lime in modern buildings has increased as the ecological and environmental qualities associated with it have become increasingly desirable.
Lime binders are promoted as being the ideal solution for conservation and repairs. This is due to their many advantages. One of which is that lime is vapour-permeable, allowing buildings to breathe and thus reducing the risk of excessive moisture damage. Lime’s ability to breathe allows for the release of moisture from the walls, preventing condensation and mould growth. Lime also contains antibacterial properties which help to reduce any potential risk of decay or internal mould infestations.
Lime plasters are a type of porous and open-textured material that absorbs moisture from the air, stabilising internal temperatures within buildings. This keeps occupants comfortable while reducing condensation on building surfaces and mould growth.
Good workability, which is necessary for good workmanship, helps achieve full joints and strong connections between materials. Lime-based mixes are more workable than cement-based mixtures. Lime-based mixes are also a pleasure to use. With the workability that lime provides, a wide grade of sharp aggregates can be added into the mixture.
The workability of a mortar or plaster is defined as the ability to remain smooth and moldable, even with suction from porous building materials.
These elements make both the performance and appearance of the work better, this is why lime is so aesthetically pleasing.
All buildings move to some extent due to the nature of the earth and weather conditions. Due to these movements, larger cracks will appear on cement-based buildings. However, when lime-based buildings are exposed to movement, they are more likely to withstand these movements due to its flexibility. If any cracks are appearing on your lime building, they will likely be a network of tiny, hard to see cracks.
The beauty of lime is that when exposed to water, the lime will absorb moisture through the cracks. The lime mortar then releases something known as “free lime”, which then travels through its porous structure. Once the process of evaporation begins, the ‘free lime’ is deposited on the surface of any open spaces or cracks. This process-called autogenous or self-healing and helps close gaps in old brickwork.
Non-hydraulic limes can be stored indefinitely if they are kept away from air, usually as putty under water or in sealed containers. The longer the lime is left to cure, the better the overall quality of the product.
Lime mortar is a product that has been used for thousands of years. It has many benefits, but one of the most important is that it is more environmentally friendly than cement. Lime mortar requires less energy and produces less CO2 than cement mortar, making it an excellent choice for people who are concerned about the environment. Additionally, lime absorbs carbon dioxide during the setting process which makes it completely carbon neutral.
Lime mortar is also a good choice for people who are concerned about the health of their building materials and the environment. It’s non-toxic and doesn’t emit any harmful substances into the air during or after curing.
Lime mortar has many benefits and is a great choice for people who are concerned about the environment. It is more environmentally friendly than cement mortar, but it also lasts longer and looks better. If you want to improve your home with a building material that will last for years, then you should consider using lime mortar instead of cement.
In addition to environmental benefits, this material also has some aesthetic benefits. It is smoother and more consistent than cement mortar, which means that it will last longer and look better. Also, it is much easier to work with for those tradespeople looking to use lime in their next project.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.
