Limecrete floors

[Keithj]

Talk of a limecrete floor prompts a question.

We're planning some major works in the church, and the quotes are coming in way over budget. Some of that is stuff the architect "forgot" but the tenderers knew would be needed (no comment), some is the usual nonsense that needs sorting out. I suspect some "features" of the original designs will have to go.

The architect's original proposal had Altro on the top of the limecrete. We now know that won't work, and were contemplating what sort of stone to use. I doubt we are going to have the money for nice stone in the kitchen etc, so the question is "what to use?" Is there any need for anything on top of the limecrete? Would a nicely smoothed surface on the limecrete be reasonably durable? Any other suggestions?

 

[plasticpigeon]

What about quarries bedded in lime mortar, they can sometimes be picked up cheaply, but at reclamation yard prices it is around £40/square yard. I'm sure they are cheaper than stone. If for a kitchen in an old church it could be rather nice.

 

[Keithj]

That's a good thought. It might also mean that spilled stuff wouldn't make noticeable stains on the floor.

 

[Flyfisher]

Pamments?

Some ecclesiastical, and other, examples here: http://www.pamments.co.uk/images.html

 

[Keithj]

Yes, that was another on the "I wonder" list. Thing is, it's a kitchen and we don't want too much that might harbour little germs or other critters.
There will be pamments outside the kitchen door, and into and around the nave.

 

[Flyfisher]

We've just had our new kitchen floor covered in them, but we try to eat at the table so I'm hoping we'll survive . . . however, if I stop posting you'll know why :wink:

 

[Keithj]

Church kitchen; children; stuff dropped on floors... gaps to trap dirt...

I know nothing of such, but the lady churchwarden has definite opinions and they must be respected.

I could eat my dinner off our kitchen floor here, but I'd get into trouble for making it dirty.

 

[Keith Bowman]

Can you have a powerfloat finish on limecrete?

 

[plasticpigeon]

Is that polishing the surface to make it very flat and smooth? I don't think that sounds good for a kitchen floor, I'm certain it would stain easily if stuff was dropped on it but I'm sure the supplier such as Ty Mawr would be happy to advise. Pamments and quarries (are they the same thing?) have been used in kitchens for hundreds of years! I believe they are the finish of choice for many commercial kitchens too.

 

[Keith Bowman]

But I thought the other Keith was saying that there would not be enough money for floor bricks etc and was wondering if bare limecrete would work? Hence my query about power floating. Our (now ex) CO told me he had simply used crushed, rammed chalk for the floor in his house. I presume a church 'kitchen' would be more for teas etc than a place where greasy foods would be cooked and spilled, even so, slipperiness might be an issue.

 

[Keithj]

No, they won't be cooking full meals in there, but there will be food handling going on. I like the idea of reclaimed quarry tiles (or even new ones, come to that). We'll see when the architect has done his analysis of the tenders and reports to us.