A
Anonymous
Guest
The finish on sonework joints is an interesting subject.
I can only speak of Devon buildings because thats what I work on.
Old farm buildings usually remain largely unaltered and are a fascinating insight into how things were done.
The usual random rubble walls or pinning for the cob above are pointed very crudely. The area between the stones being 'semi plastered' so that the surface is as even as it could be without actually giving it a proper plaster finish. I have seen this on the exterior of cottages and farmhouses as well. The mortar is almost always mud perhaps with some lime.
I think we all forget how utilitarian these buidings were. Also, almost everthing was slashed over with limewash every year or two and as such these pointing joints were far quicker to do and more practical when limewashing.
I was once given an architect's specification to 'finish the joints back behind the face of the stone in the traditional manner' - total rubbish.
The current advise on finishing pointing may be scientifically better but it sure as hell is not traditional!
Don't forget that the modern conception of what is right for the inside of such buildings is also inaccurate. Almost everthing was crudely painted over with limewash - beams the lot! And so would you have done if all you had was a rush lamp or a candle!
Clearly this was not necessarily the case with buildings of any status.
I hope this will be a subject for some interesting debate. Mike.
I can only speak of Devon buildings because thats what I work on.
Old farm buildings usually remain largely unaltered and are a fascinating insight into how things were done.
The usual random rubble walls or pinning for the cob above are pointed very crudely. The area between the stones being 'semi plastered' so that the surface is as even as it could be without actually giving it a proper plaster finish. I have seen this on the exterior of cottages and farmhouses as well. The mortar is almost always mud perhaps with some lime.
I think we all forget how utilitarian these buidings were. Also, almost everthing was slashed over with limewash every year or two and as such these pointing joints were far quicker to do and more practical when limewashing.
I was once given an architect's specification to 'finish the joints back behind the face of the stone in the traditional manner' - total rubbish.
The current advise on finishing pointing may be scientifically better but it sure as hell is not traditional!
Don't forget that the modern conception of what is right for the inside of such buildings is also inaccurate. Almost everthing was crudely painted over with limewash - beams the lot! And so would you have done if all you had was a rush lamp or a candle!
Clearly this was not necessarily the case with buildings of any status.
I hope this will be a subject for some interesting debate. Mike.