Limewash - white or pigmented?

[sinead]

We are in the process of removing the dreaded cement render from our 4 storey Georgian house and we need to decide on the lime render due to go on in next few weeks. Our lovely builder would prefer to apply a white limewash; his reasoning is we have a lot of walls and using pigmented render is more challenging, from variation perspective. Our house is big & is a bit of a local landmark as it is perched on a hill. I am struggling to visualise it - I was thinking of a taupe finish with a classic black door, feel white limewash would look quite start on a house our size - but that may as I associate it more with cottages. Would love any suggestions, photos, feedback on white vs pigmented lime renders, colour schemes with white lime etc. Feeling more than slightly overwhelmed as don't know anyone who has done a similar job!

 

[paulc]

To get an even colour across the whole building, all the render needs to be mixed with the pigment as one batch. A big house is going to need way more than one could mix in one go. Depending on the pigment colour, you could get away with minimal variation between batches if you weigh everything very precisely.
One thing I have noticed with lime is it isn't all pure white. Singleton Birch has a creamy tint to it, whilst Ty Mawr is rather grey. Mike Wye's lime is a brilliant white - These are all tubs of lime putty that I've had from a local supplier..

 

[Stevers]

The easy way to colour render is via the aggregate. In this part of Somerset we have choice of silver, yellow and ginger pit sand, and grey and 'pink' stone dust. I've tried to colour NHL mortars using Cementone black dye with indifferent results. Self colour render must be better than having to paint, and a better chance of a natural looking colour if that's what you're after. Something to be aware of is that renders can discolour if the wrong aggregate is chosen, and there's a fairly new estate near here packed tight with 'period style' houses with rusty looking streaks down them.

 

[a twig]

I’ve bought tubs of pre-made off white lime wash from Ty Mawr in the past and their colour is pretty consistent, not perfect but “good enough” for me, obviously more expensive to buy it that way but a closer experience to popping open tins of paint

 

[Zebra]

I mix my own coloured limewash in small batches and it's fine. Done my whole house inside and out. No issues with colour matching. Just use a measuring spoon when mixing.

 

[Zebra]