Bare lime render vs limewash

[ScottC]

Are there any benefits/advantages in applying limewash (as opposed to bare lime render) or is it purely for aesthetics?

I am having my Edwardian property re-rendered in Lime and had always planned to limewash it. The job is nearly complete (much to the relief of my wife) and the top coat is drying out turning a lovely honey/yellow colour, a colour very close to the colour I wanted to limewash it. Consequently I considered not bothering with the limewash, however when I suggested this to my Lime Plasterer the tone in which he said "well you could do that if you wanted to" made me think there was something I was missing.

Are there any consequences in leaving the walls with bare render? or does limewash offer some protective properties?

 

[Keithj]

For internal walls, I wouldn't think it's a major issue - but you will get a better finish if you limewash it. You may find (as we did) that the nice honey colour changes as the render carbonates. Our "honey" went to a very pale chalky white.

Outside: you want to limewash it. Received wisdom here is that the limewash is "sacrificial" and that you need three coats every three years to preserve it in its pristine condition.

 

[Bitstreams]

but don't be put off with having to re-do it, as it goes on so easily - it's not like applying paint at all. You do have to do quite a few coats initially (I've done 5) but they're really quick to do.
It's not like paint, either - our house really glows in the late afternoon sunshine

 

[ScottC]

Thanks for the advice. Looks like limewash it is, although I hope it lasts longer than 3 years as it is costing me a thousand pounds for the scaffolding. Would rather not be paying that every 3 years.