When was it built?
When we get a call from a customer looking to have work done on their home one of the first thing we ask is, “When was the building constructed?”. The date of construction gives us a good idea of the materials, principles and methods used by the masons who built it. Typically in older homes you will find lime based mortars and mass masonry walls built using soft clay molded brick and natural stone. It is important to take a sympathetic approach in dealing with older homes.
our methods
We aim to restore using similar materials and methods to ensure longevity to the original fabric. The reason for this is not out of romance for the days gone by. We do it simply because it works. We only take a different approach if it is clear the original materials are not working as they should. 90% of the heritage restoration jobs we show up to quote on involve fixing past repairs completed using inappropriate materials.
Once on site we can begin to assess the areas of concern, come up with a solution and explain our process to you. We strive to match the masonry units we replace with identical units to achieve a seamless blend. We also strive to match mortar colour and joint profile to the existing mortar using natural dye, lime and a blend of masonry sand.
We use traditional methods of restoration and conservation to breath life back into your building.