Initially this project required making a Grade II Listed former restaurant watertight after being stood vacant for years. Due to the scale of the building, once safe access became available sampling and survey works uncovered larger issues than repairs initially intended. To owners of listed buildings, the series of casestudies upon this particular building could reveal guidance and understanding to heritage properties.
The reasoning for this is commonly due to unsolicited ‘making good’ with modern materials rather than have works correctly undertaken by Craftspeople. Within our projects it is unfortunate that once works are discussed and granted, we can open up areas only to find that heritage techniques had not been present as a basis from which to make our repairs. In these circumstances we must advise to strip back in order to restore sections with traditional materials. This can be time consuming and costly for clients.
It was apparent that the render to the gable has failed in areas and that repairs would be required along with a clean of the aged surface and renew the paint finish. The scaffolding would be complex due to another building below. This had been converted from the former Stables for visitors to the Restaurant.
With the Scaffolding in place the project team could assess, sample and propose solutions when it became apparent that repairs were not a long-term solution for the wellbeing of the building. The cementitious render was in a poor condition and as such was affecting the brickwork behind from trapped moisture.
A new finish to ensure breathability, durability and longevity was required once the aesthetic of a repointed and limewashed face was deemed too different than the heritage of the property and town. Keim render provided a ready to use renovation and thin layer made with hydrated lime and pozzolanic additives. Offering flexibility accommodation a high degree of movement preventing cracking and crazing.
Once the old render had been carefully removed, we found that the brickwork beneath still contained lime mortar pointing. This is important because we had to reasonably remove the non-porous cement and repointing the brickwork would affect budget and timescale.
Our skilled team began rebuilding the wall heads which were in poor condition and patch pointing in lime. We then commence rendering with a base coat, embedding strengthening mesh within the initial layer. This was then levelled out followed by a final sponge coat.
The render upon other elevations of the property was lined. This practice intends to replicate impressive stonework. Our Skilled team therefore undertook lining with small tools to complete the finish. Two coats of Keim paint were then applied as specified by their representative.
Partially damaged due to the cement render, the rotten timber windows required replacement. The two high level sash windows were replaced along with the fabulous arched window. This was recreated with rose tinted glazing which once adorned the original. A rendered surround created now highlights the arched rose-coloured feature window. Its beauty shining in the light once more in this regenerated market town.
