A key part of restoring old and historic buildings is maintaining their physical appearance. The materials and colours used on many of our most iconic landmarks help to tell its story. And when it comes to repairing damaged or entirely renovating properties such as these, getting the key elements right is imperative. This is why we have a range of Lime Paints available on the Limebase website, designed specifically for this purpose. Our guide will help you understand the exact possibilities of these traditional products and how they can help your individual project.
What are lime paints?
If we start with the basics, let’s look at what lime paints actually are. These custom-mixed paints are commonly used to decorate and offer protection to a wide variety of porous stones and lime-rendered surfaces. They are made from a mix of pure calcium hydrated lime with added mineral and earth oxide pigments to bring to life a chosen colour. This unique mix contains small crystals which, when exposed to different light or weather conditions, ensures they don’t look flat or dull. In fact, some surfaces are said to ‘glow’ when finished with limewash and certain lime paints.
Why are lime paints so suited to historical renovations?
The reason why this type of paint is so popular is largely due to its versatility. Lime paints can be used on cement, lime plaster, bricks, blocks, untreated timber and lining paper. They are also suitable for use on modern-day gypsum plaster and other porous backgrounds. As the paint hardens, it absorbs the carbon dioxide found in the atmosphere which also makes them highly protective to the chosen surface.
Another key bonus is the fact that lime paints are water-based and allow a building to breathe. This means that excess moisture will be absorbed, rather than locked within the walls to potentially cause decay or rot. By using it, you reduce the risk of condensation while also benefiting from a longer-lasting surface. Limewash Paint itself is regularly used in agricultural buildings due to its alkaline composition. This makes it antibacterial and insecticidal while also providing some fireproofing properties too. In fact, many buildings originally damaged by the Great Fire of Southwark in 1212 were rebuilt and repainted with limewash as a precautionary measure.
Limewash is also noted as being one of the most environmentally-friendly options out there due to it being:
- Cracking and flaking
- Rotting timber below
- Exacerbate existing damp problems
What makes St Astier Lime Paints so good?
The range of lime paints released by St Astier has long been the option of choice for historic building renovators. Unlike other alternatives on the market, they include additional acrylic within their blends. This means each paint can be used on more surfaces, including those that won’t accept pure limewash due to porosity. Additionally, this tailored blend means they are an ideal choice for use on modern gypsum plaster which is sometimes the only choice.
Supplied as a powder, they are easy to transport and can be blended on-site to suit the surface in question. An average dilution is 1 volume of powder to 2 volumes of clean water. However, more dilution may be needed and is achievable, when dealing with more porous surfaces. This flexibility means you’ll be able to utilise the same colour across an entire building, regardless of the material used. These paints are designed to offer a suitable finish with just 2 coats, ensuring 48 hours is left between coats for suitable drying.
What colours do St Astier paints come in?
Using a blend of different mineral and earth oxide pigments, St Astier is able to manufacture a wide range of colours for use on classical buildings. These include:
- Creams (338, 344)
- Pinks (340, 422, 429, 430, 431)
- Greys (346)
- Yellows (347, 421, 423, 424)
This ensures that no matter the project, there is a suitable colour option available
Here at Limebase, we specialise in a wide range of lime-based products for use on historical and traditional buildings. St Astier Limewash Paints fit within our portfolio easily, offering customers a high-quality and well-blended colour option for all walls. Suitable for external and internal use, these traditional products work with the aesthetical look of many buildings and allow them to hold on to their individual story.
We also have an experienced team on hand to answer any queries or questions you may have. So, no matter whether you’re a classical property homeowner, a craftsman or an architect working on a unique project, we can support you throughout the entire renovation. Get in contact today so we can hold on to the true beauty of classical buildings for many generations to come.