Abstract

Lime finishes: What’s the point? Pressure difference in storm conditions in a changing climate

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Abstract

The heritage industry acknowledges the significant challenges of conserving and adapting traditional Scottish vernacular buildings to lower thermal conductivity, improve internal comfort, and reduce energy use and running costs. However, it has failed to consider whether we have accurately understood the original design, functionality, and presentation of rubble buildings - buildings once lime-coated. Instead, the default repair method for rubble stone buildings has been pointing, and the style employed is the ‘heritage joint’. This means that the open joint was filled with lime mortar and subsequently pressed back with a stiff brush to recess the joint, clearly defining the shape of the stone and exposing the aggregates included in the mortar giving an ‘aged’ appearance. This paper specifically examines the physical loss and impact of external lime finishes—primarily harl, a coarse mix of sand, aggregate, and calcium oxide/hydroxide—applied to wall faces with a snub-nosed trowel using a deft flick of the wrist.

Keywords: lime, climate change, heritage industry

How to Cite:

Meek, T., North, K., Moore, C. & Subke, D., (2025) “Lime finishes: What’s the point? Pressure difference in storm conditions in a changing climate”, UCL Open Environment 7(S1). doi: https://doi.org/10.14324/111.444/ucloe.icmb25.a11

Rights: Author, [2025]