Lime Plastering and Lime Plaster Conservation
Lime plastering provides an attractive and durable internal finish that will stand the test of time - you only need to look at examples of Roman plasterwork which have survived for over 2,000 years.
The lime plaster was originally applied on to rubble masonry ‘on the hard’, forming a protective and decorative coating that complemented the ‘breathability’ of the solid masonry construction. Timber lath was introduced into Scotland in the late 16th century, allowing plasterwork to be applied to both walls and ceilings with ease.
New techniques of application and finishing details developed over time. The rudimentary flatwork of vernacular buildings made way for sophisticated decorative craftwork of the 17th and 18th century. Lime plastering ranges from the functional application of a flat wall surface, to the flamboyant ornament, illustrating the transformation of a vernacular tradition into an art form.
LTM plasterers can undertake the full range of plastering services, from wholesale reinstatement of an ornamental plasterwork scheme to small scale patch repairs or careful consolidation of friable, but historically significant plasters. Such localised repair works can often prevent wholesale and unnecessary replacement, thereby maintaining the historic integrity of the plasterwork and ensuring cost effective conservation.