Traditional & Modern Lime Render · Plymouth, Devon & Cornwall

Lime Render Contractors in Devon & Cornwall

Lime render for period properties, listed buildings, and new builds where breathability matters. External and internal. Correctly specified, correctly applied.

Lime Render: The Right Material for the Right Building

Lime render has been used on British buildings for centuries, and for good reason. It is flexible enough to accommodate the natural movement of old masonry without cracking. It is breathable, allowing moisture to pass through the wall and evaporate rather than becoming trapped. And it is the only render material appropriate for the vast majority of Devon and Cornwall's pre-1920 building stock.

Riley's Pro Trowel supplies and applies lime render across Plymouth, Devon, and Cornwall. Every job starts with understanding the building: the substrate type, its age and condition, existing moisture levels, and any conservation or listed building requirements. From that assessment, we specify the right lime render system, not a compromise, the correct one.

External Lime Render

External lime rendering is applied in multiple coats: a scratch coat keyed to the substrate, a float coat building up the level, and a finish coat brought to the specified texture. Aggregates are selected to match the regional character of the building. Local sands vary across Devon and Cornwall and the mix must reflect that. Hair reinforcement in the base coats adds tensile strength and controls shrinkage cracking.

Finish options include sand float, smooth, roughcast, harling, and through-coloured hydraulic lime. Where lime wash or breathable silicate paint is required, we advise on the correct product and application timing. Lime render must be fully cured before decoration.

Internal Lime Render & Plastering

Internal lime render is used on solid masonry, stone, cob, and lath and plaster substrates. It is the correct internal finish for any solid-wall building where gypsum plaster would trap moisture and cause long-term damp problems. Applied in two or three coats, it produces a smooth, paintable surface that manages condensation and moisture naturally.

Devon & Cornwall Specific

The building stock of Devon and Cornwall is unusually varied: granite in West Cornwall, slate in parts of Cornwall and Devon, sandstone around Exeter and East Devon, cob almost everywhere in rural Devon and parts of Cornwall, and brick in the urban areas. Each substrate requires a different lime specification. A mix appropriate for granite will behave differently on cob. Riley's understands these distinctions and specifies accordingly.

Lime render application — Riley's Pro Trowel Devon Cornwall

How We Work

Our Process

01

Survey & Specification

We visit the site, assess the substrate, check moisture levels, and review any planning or listed building constraints. We produce a written specification before any work begins.

02

Substrate Preparation

Failed or inappropriate render is removed. The wall is inspected and any repairs to the underlying masonry made. The surface is dampened before each coat application. Dry substrate pulls moisture from the lime too quickly and causes failure.

03

Scratch Coat

The first coat is scratched (keyed) while still green to provide a mechanical key for the subsequent coat. Allowed to cure fully, typically 3 to 7 days depending on conditions.

04

Float Coat

The float coat builds up the render to the correct level and provides the base for the finish. Rule-straightened, left with a textured surface to receive the finish coat.

05

Finish Coat & Completion

The finish coat is applied to the specified texture. Arises, reveals, and details are finished. Curing is managed and the render protected from frost, direct sun, and drying winds throughout.

Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Lime render does not "dry" in the conventional sense. It cures through a chemical process. Each coat typically requires a minimum of 3 to 7 days before the next coat is applied, depending on temperature, humidity, and the specific lime product. Full carbonation of a lime putty render can take months. Natural hydraulic lime (NHL) cures more quickly through hydraulic reaction. The total programme for a full external lime render system is typically several weeks, not days. Anyone quoting a shorter programme is cutting curing time, which causes render failure.
Yes, but only with breathable paints, specifically lime wash or silicate mineral paint. Standard exterior masonry paint is not appropriate for lime render as it reduces vapour permeability, trapping moisture and causing the same problems as cement render. Lime render must also be fully cured before decoration, typically 3 to 6 months after completion. Riley's advises on correct decoration specification as part of every lime render project.
External lime render is applied in a minimum of three coats: scratch coat, float coat, and finish coat. On uneven or damaged substrates a dubbing-out coat may be required first. Internal lime plaster is typically applied in two coats on solid masonry. The number of coats affects the programme and cost. Any single-coat lime render system is a compromise and will not perform as well.
The sand specification is as important as the lime specification. For NHL render, a sharp sand or grit sand of the correct grade is used for scratch and float coats; a finer sand for the finish. The sand must be clean, well-graded, and free from clay content. In Devon and Cornwall, locally sourced sands can add to the regional character of the render. Riley's sources appropriate aggregates for each project.
Lime render is relatively low-maintenance compared to cement renders. The main requirement is periodic inspection and prompt repair of any cracks or areas of failure before water ingress becomes established. Lime wash or silicate paint should be reapplied every 5 to 10 years depending on exposure. Keep vegetation clear of the render surface. Address any defects in gutters and downpipes promptly. Prolonged water running over lime render will erode the surface over time.
Lime render can be used on modern properties where breathability is preferred, where ecological considerations are important (lime is a natural, low-carbon material), or where a traditional aesthetic is desired. However, for most modern cavity-wall or insulated frame construction, a polymer-modified or silicone render system is technically more appropriate. Riley's will advise on the correct system for your specific building. We do not apply lime render where it is not the right choice.

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