External finishing

[vicky whitworth]

Hello, I'm wondering if I could have your views and opinions on something - two things really.

We have had the random rubble stone walls of our cottage re-pointed in lime and they look gorgeous. The plan was to then have the whole lot lime washed over but the builder has put doubt in my mind saying don't we want to expose the stone and pointing as it's so nice. I'm wavering. Please get me back on the straight and narrow - random rubble on a low status cottage would always have been limewashed, wouldn't it? You wouldn't expose it, would you?

Second question - we have a horrid 1990s brick extension which we have had lime rendered to soften the hard lines. The plan was to have this roughcast in large-ish pebbles - like an aero bar - and again limewashed over to match the finish on the adjacent rubble stone. But I quite like it not rough cast. I'm now in a right dilemma and the builder needs instructions so he can carry on tomorrow. To roughcast or not to roughcast? Also I'm slightly concerned that I'm not sure the builder knows how to roughcast. Either way we would have this end lime washed over the render/roughcast.

I have tried to add some pics. Thank you.

 

[MatthewC]

Personal view:

1. My house on coursed limestone rubble might have been limewashed once, but it was ages ago and has all gone; it looks very nice as it is. NB Of course, my house might not have been "low status" - have you been watching Time Team?

2. What else is in the locality? Having left the rubble, I'd leave the roughcast as it is, unless other houses nearby have limewashed exterior walls as well, in which case I'd tend to do it.

HTH

Matthew
http://houseintheenchantedforest.blogspot.com/

 

[MdB]

What do you want? A historically accurate museum or one that has a finish you like? My view is that every owner has the right to put their own stamp on the building as long as it isn't against the long term survival of the building and as such making a change to having unlimewashed walls is perfectly fine. If a future owner wants to limewash them then fine also but there is nothing to say that you have to.

All of this is of course for an unlisted building that has stone that won't deteriorate unlimewashed. The CO should have an input if listed and some stone doesn't like being exposed.

I did a poll a while back on exposed stone and it ended up 50:50 for and against with many people having strong views either way.

 

[Penners]

I'm with MdB. Unless there are technical or listed building constraints, your house should look the way you want it to look.

So I can only tell you what I would do - not what you should do!

I would limewash the stone. According to my vague impressions of Devonshire, this will look right for the area. It will also look lovely! On a technical point, it should also help to maintain the stability of any lower grade stone in your random rubble.

I wouldn't pebbledash. Why? Because I dislike pebbledash!

 

[vicky whitworth]

Thank you for your prompt replies. I have a night to think about it. Top stress day today what with that and the new chickens arriving! Never had chickens before - anyway the cat took them on and the chickens won.
Vicky

 

[AMc]

If you're in doubt about the limewash then I wouldn't do it, at least not now.
Looking at your picture it looks like you could do it later without needing the scaffolding so you can always change your mind if you decide you don't like the way the house looks.

The roughcasting I wouldn't do - for the same reasons as Penners - I'd limewash that render and spend the money saved on something else.

 

[michael]

Certainly looks great as it is. A bit Tuscan farmhouse-ish, except for the roof tiles. Whatever your decision, I guess you will have to be sympathetic to your surroundings. So if it were in Tuscany, you wouldn’t limewash it and you would let the lime rendered extension weather in for about 50 years to gain a nice patina i.e. do nothing.
Seeing that you’re in Devon though, maybe you will have to apply the limewash. Frankly I don’t know but I think I prefer the ‘do nothing’ option.

Just a thought for the 1990’s extension. If you have to do something with it, (and if you can afford it) would shiplap weather boarding look out of place in your area? And for the architectural purists would weather board look right next to random rubble? and if yes, should the boarding be white or black?

 

[michael]

P.S. I think the photo shows a bit of weather boarding over the extension’s dormer window

 

[vicky whitworth]

Thanks again for your views. I have made my decisions, which are really to stick with Plan A. The rendered bit is going to be harled in rough, roughcast. Builder and I have spent most of the day looking at other cottages in the village to try to replicate the roughcast they have which has very large pebbles in it. We're on test patch three and I think it's about right. Then the roughcast will be limewashed. And the rubble walls will be lime washed as originally planned. I have watched them make up the lime wash this afternoon but was disappointed to see that they strained the wash through an old pair of tights. I was led to believe they would be wearing the tights in some strange lime wash making ritual.
Very, very happy with them as builders.

 

[Penners]

I was led to believe they would be wearing the tights in some strange lime wash making ritual.

I suspect that wearing limey tights might bring a flush to the cheek and a tear to the eye...

...not to mention the effect it would have - er - below the waist.

 

[LadyArowana]

I have watched them make up the lime wash this afternoon but was disappointed to see that they strained the wash through an old pair of tights. I was led to believe they would be wearing the tights in some strange lime wash making ritual.
Very, very happy with them as builders.

You must not have been paying close enough attention, the ritual involves wearing the tights before making the lime wash. A shame you missed it IRL, but luckily I managed to find a picture. Very good to know that you are impressed with their other skills too.

 

[Flyfisher]

You have an interesting photograph collection Milady. :wink:

 

[LadyArowana]

You have an interesting photograph collection Milady. :wink:

Of course these were all taken before people started taking out super injunctions. :lol:

 

[Penners]

I only agreed to those photos on the strict condition that you would never make them public, Yer Ladyship. :evil:

 

[LadyArowana]

I only agreed to those photos on the strict condition that you would never make them public, Yer Ladyship. :evil:

Don't worry I won't show them the other ones.

 

[vicky whitworth]

Throw away the limewash. Throw away the tights. Keep the builder. Funnily enough I have a strange inclination to have the rest of the place lime washed now but, in an attempt at delayed gratification, I may wait a year or two.

 

[Penners]

Ah - is that what they call Tantric Limewashing?