Concern 1: The Visible Gap Around the Stone Bay Window Cill
We discovered a 12cm high gap that varies between 3-5cm in depth, where the original stone cill is exposed. The demo work revealed some thin tiles that had been placed here, but unfortunately, these crumbled away when the render was stripped (only two timber battens remained in place). Now, we’re looking at options to fill this gap before applying our lime-based render.
photos:


I’m considering a few possible solutions for the gap:
Concern 2: Slots Along the Window Sides
There are additional, more regular slots along the sides of the windows. My initial thought is to pack these up with sheep wool as well. The main concern here is how well the lime render will adhere to the wool. The gaps are quite thin but deep (2cm wide x 12cm deep).
To prevent direct contact with the lime basecoat, I’m considering tucking a piece of timber in between the wool and the basecoat to ensure the integrity of the render and avoid any issues with adhesion.
photos:


Could Paper Work?
While not as common these days, using paper could be a nod to the original materials ... less durable, but it could be useful in areas where you’re not expecting too much movement or stress?
Would love to hear if anyone else has worked on similar issues or has experience with any of these materials. Any tips or insights - I would really appreciate it!



We discovered a 12cm high gap that varies between 3-5cm in depth, where the original stone cill is exposed. The demo work revealed some thin tiles that had been placed here, but unfortunately, these crumbled away when the render was stripped (only two timber battens remained in place). Now, we’re looking at options to fill this gap before applying our lime-based render.
photos:


I’m considering a few possible solutions for the gap:
- Timber Frame with Sheep Wool & Mesh – A timber frame could be constructed to fit the gap, with sheep wool inside and mesh to hold it in place. I thought of mesh because we want to use the lime basecoat (x2 layers) and lime plaster for breathability, but not sure how basecoat will react with sheepwool.
- Timber or Thin Bricks – Another option could be to simply pack the gap with timber or thin bricks, which would give a solid base for the lime render to bond to. However, I’m concerned about the long-term performance of the timber in terms of stability and moisture control.
- Wood Wool – I’ve also come across wood wool, which could be an interesting option for filling the gap. It’s breathable and offers some insulation properties, so I’m curious if someone used it?
Concern 2: Slots Along the Window Sides
There are additional, more regular slots along the sides of the windows. My initial thought is to pack these up with sheep wool as well. The main concern here is how well the lime render will adhere to the wool. The gaps are quite thin but deep (2cm wide x 12cm deep).
To prevent direct contact with the lime basecoat, I’m considering tucking a piece of timber in between the wool and the basecoat to ensure the integrity of the render and avoid any issues with adhesion.
photos:


Could Paper Work?
While not as common these days, using paper could be a nod to the original materials ... less durable, but it could be useful in areas where you’re not expecting too much movement or stress?
Would love to hear if anyone else has worked on similar issues or has experience with any of these materials. Any tips or insights - I would really appreciate it!



