Lime Mortar Vs Gypsum Plaster

Key benefits

• Moisture control: Lime’s porosity allows walls to absorb and release moisture vapor, preventing trapped damp and reducing condensation. This breathable system moves moisture away from the masonry, lowering the risk of salt buildup and freeze-thaw damage.

• Flexibility and compatibility: Lime renders accommodate small movements in old structures without cracking or delaminating, protecting masonry and preserving structural integrity.

• Salt tolerance and evaporation: Lime mortars allow soluble salts to migrate and evaporate rather than forcing salts into the fabric of the wall, reducing long-term deterioration.

• Improved indoor air quality: By regulating moisture and discouraging mold growth, lime finishes contribute to healthier internal environments.

• Aesthetic authenticity: Lime renders can be matched to historic textures, colors, and finishes for sympathetic restoration of period properties.

Restoring period homes’ health

For older buildings, inappropriate cement repairs are a common cause of ongoing deterioration. Replacing or overlaying cement with breathable lime plaster and render reverses that damage: it restores moisture balance, allows trapped salts to exit, and reduces progressive decay of bricks, stone, and lime mortar joints. Proper lime repair work preserves original materials, prolongs the life of masonry, and maintains historic character while improving thermal performance and internal comfort.

Our approach

• Assess the building fabric and moisture patterns to tailor lime mixes and application techniques.

• Use compatible, historically appropriate mortars and finishes, hand-applied where required.

• Combine repointing and re-rendering with targeted repairs to cornices, sills, and joinery interfaces to ensure a continuous breathable envelope.

• Offer aftercare guidance to maintain the moisture balance and longevity of lime systems.