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Grade 1 Conservation

Repairing Historic Walls and Ceilings

The earliest use of plaster ceilings and walls dates back to the Tudor Period; those of Royalty and Nobility had ornate patterned ceilings installed to express wealth and status. There are hundreds of historic houses and buildings in the UK which need restoring; sadly, the plaster that has been used on walls and ceilings does not last forever. Plaster on walls and ceilings tends to crack; those cracks may have formed as a building settles over the years. It is possible to repair those cracks and ensure the walls and ceilings are restored; at Grade 1 Conservation, we undertake a wide range of restoration projects, so we have a few tips for you.

Lime Plaster Used in Historic Walls and Ceilings
Lime is a versatile building material in the civilised world; throughout history, the Mayans, Egyptians, Greeks and Romans have all used lime plaster extensively. It holds many benefits for being physically durable, which may seem obvious, but its beauty is often an overlooked factor. Lime plaster is produced from natural sources, but lime plaster generally comes from limestone, it is incombustible, breathable and it promotes healthy indoor air quality. However, like most things, lime plaster walls or ceilings can deteriorate with age; plaster can also be damaged by movement or external factors like dampness. This can cause the plaster to become detached from the surface beneath, causing cracks and further damage to the walls and ceilings.

Lime plaster is a great period characteristic worth repairing and restoring back to its original grandeur. Especially when restoration projects are completed in a sustainable, long-lasting way, the historic houses or buildings are saved for future generations to enjoy.

Why is it Important to Restore Historic Buildings?

Building restoration is crucial to properties that hold significant history; as a country, the UK has a detailed and rich history, many buildings have served a purpose within that history. There are environmental factors that will significantly deteriorate a structure over time, but this does not mean that the building needs to be torn down. In order for historic houses and buildings to be here and survive for the next generation, completing restorations and repairing plaster walls and ceilings is vital because of the following:

● Architectural design – it’s important to preserve a building’s unique traits or architectural elements so its story can be told in the future.
● Value – all buildings hold intrinsic value in some way, either financially or in terms of what they can tell us about history.
● Sustainability – restoring a building is much better for the environment compared to building a new structure with raw materials.
● Cultural Prestige – many historical buildings hold important hold prestige and renovation of buildings has many benefits for cultural tourism.

There are people out there who believe that new buildings offer many advantages over historical ones, but we beg to differ. At Grade 1 Conservation, we have a passion for historic houses and buildings; our restoration projects are high-quality and are made to last; why not get in touch to find out more?