About the event

Lime has been used in buildings for thousands of years and remains an important material in both traditional and modern construction. Made from limestone, it is used in mortars, plasters, renders and limewashes, with different types of lime suited to different conditions and applications.

Lime is valued for more than its heritage. Lime mortars and plasters are generally vapour permeable and can help manage moisture within walls, while also accommodating a degree of movement. In traditional solid-wall buildings, this can help moisture move through and evaporate from the building fabric rather than becoming trapped. Lime can also continue to carbonate over time and, in some circumstances, may help very small cracks to heal naturally.

Growing interest in building conservation, moisture management and lower-impact construction has brought lime back into wider use. Its compatibility with many natural and bio-based materials makes it especially relevant where healthy, durable and moisture-safe construction is the aim.

In this training session, we invite Peter Rollinson and Tom Carruthers of Mike Wye to introduce the history, production, and benefits of lime, addressing frequently asked questions and debunking myths surrounding the general use of building with lime products. 

A video demonstration will showcase the use of natural hydraulic lime (NHL) render with internal wall insulation and highlighting the advantages of using lime with natural fibre insulation to create modern, healthy, low energy buildings. 

The final part of the session will focus upon one of the ways lime can be used as an aesthetically pleasing yet functional finish -  Tadelakt. A traditional Moroccan polished plaster, Tadelakt can be used to create visually stunning, water repellent surfaces, unique to each application. This lime-based plaster technique was discovered over 2,000 years ago, initially adopted by Berber groups as waterproofing for water storage. We’ll find out more about the various uses in buildings today, from exterior walls to wetrooms.   

There’ll be plenty of opportunity for live Q&A during the session, and as always, we welcome your input. 

About the speakers

Peter Rollinson - Sustainable Insultation Specialist, Mike Wye Ltd. 

Peter provides in-depth technical advice for the retrofit of historic buildings and the development of modern structures; focusing on the use of sustainable materials and natural fibre insulation to create robust, reduced carbon homes that are healthy for the environment and the occupants alike.

Tom Carruthers - Senior Technical Advisor and Sustainable Insulation Specialist, Mike Wye Ltd. 

With a background in mechanical engineering and biophilic lighting design, Tom is now a senior technical advisor and Sustainable Insulation Specialist with Mike Wye, advising on the retrofit of historic buildings and the construction of low energy modern homes.