Service · Taunton & Somerset
Lime rendering in Taunton, on walls that need to breathe.
Lime render is the only sensible finish for cob, rubble stone, soft brick and any wall built before the twentieth century. It is breathable, slightly flexible, and capable of being worked in coats so thin and slow that it becomes part of the wall rather than a coating over it. We render across Taunton, Somerset and the South West using hot-mixed lime and natural hydraulic lime to specifications matched to each building.
Every job begins with the wall, not the render. We strip back any cementitious or gypsum coatings that are doing harm, allow the underlying fabric to dry, and only then begin the first coat. Two- or three-coat work is the norm, with each coat thinner than the last, cured slowly, and shaded from sun and wind while it sets. Done properly a lime render finish will outlast its owner.
For more on the materials we choose and why, read our journal post on what to expect when re-rendering a cob cottage.
What we offer
- External lime renders on cob, stone and historic brick
- Internal lime plasters and finishing coats
- Removal of failed cement or gypsum renders
- Limewash and pigmented shelter-coat finishes
- Wattle and daub repair on timber-framed buildings
Where we work
We render most often within an hour of Taunton — Wellington, Wiveliscombe, Bridgwater, Glastonbury, Yeovil, Tiverton — and travel into Devon, Dorset, Wiltshire and Herefordshire for larger or listed projects. See the full list on our areas we cover page.
Common questions
Can I render over a cement-rendered wall with lime?
No — and it is one of the most common mistakes we are called in to undo. Lime over cement looks fine for a year or two but cracks and parts company as soon as the building moves. Cement renders on historic walls should be carefully stripped back to the masonry before any new lime work is applied.
How many coats of lime render do you apply?
Two or three, depending on the substrate. Cob and soft rubble usually get a haired scratch coat, a floated second coat and a finer top coat. Stone and brick can often be finished in two. Each coat is thinner than the last and cured slowly under hessian.
What finish can I have on a lime render?
Wood-floated, sponge-floated, bagged, roughcast or limewashed in earth pigments — all traditional Somerset finishes. We will match the surrounding fabric or, on a stripped elevation, talk through the options against samples on site.
How long does lime render take to dry?
Each coat needs at least a week between applications and should be protected from rain, sun and frost throughout. A full render run is typically a six- to ten-week job on site. This is why lime rendering is best scheduled for spring or early autumn.
Do you work on listed cob and stone cottages?
Yes — this is most of our work. We provide method statements suitable for listed building consent and coordinate with conservation officers and historic-building surveyors.
Related work
Other things we do nearby
Lime Pointing
Hot-mixed lime mortar repointing for historic walls.
Read more →Cob Repair
Earth wall repair, rebuilding and breathable finishes.
Read more →Listed Building Repairs
Whole-building conservation for Grade I and II buildings.
Read more →Stone Wall Building
Hand-built walls in matched local stone.
Read more →
Render coming away? Send a photograph and we'll tell you what's behind it.
Request a survey