Roundtower Blog
Natural Hydraulic Lime Mortar (NHL)
Natural hydraulic limes (NHL's) differ from non-hydraulic limes in that they have a chemical set as well as the process of carbonation.
Read MoreA Complete Guide to Lime Mortar
Roundtower's guide to Lime Mortar. Covering the usage, types of lime, sand selection & water.
Read MoreLime Pointing
This is the process where new mortar is inserted into prepared joints between brick or masonry.
Read MorePozzolans & Additives
The word pozzolanic is derived from the word Pozzuoli. This is the name of an area on the Italian coast near Vesuvius.
Read MoreGuide to mixing and storage of non-hydraulic lime mortar
Today, non-hydraulic lime mortars are mixed from high calcium non-hydraulic lime putty and aggregates.
Read MoreGuide to mixing natural hydraulic lime mortar
A comprehensive guide to mixing natural hydrualic lime mortar.
Read MoreLimewash
Limewash (or other breathable paint finish) is the final part of the protective envelope for structures coated with a lime render either smooth or rough as in the case of harling.
Read MoreLime Protection, Curing and Aftercare
Lime Protection, Curing and Aftercare is a vital process in the successful use of lime mortars.
Read MoreLime Harling
Harling is a Scottish name for what is often called wet dash or roughcast. This is probably the most traditional finish that is still common today.
Read MoreRaking Out and Pre Pointing Operations
The purpose of this operation is to remove either old and deteriorated pointing/bedding mortar or modern cementious mortars that are causing damage to the building fabric.
Read MoreLimecrete
The use of limecrete is desirable in a historic building as it allows naturally occurring moisture to escape through the floor. The use of modern cement floors has caused some problems as moisture is unable to escape through the floor......
Read MoreWhy Lime?
For the past 150 years modern artificial cements have slowly been replacing traditional lime based mortars and plasters, to such a degree that now virtually all construction is carried out using only modern materials. Whilst many of these materials are perfectly suitable for modern buildings they have been found to be incompatible with the construction of old buildings.
Read MoreSupaSoft Insulation made from Recycled Plastic Bottles
About 8 million tonnes of plastic enter the oceans each year. SupaSoft Insulation is helping to reduce this number by reclycling plastic bottles and turning the plastic into high performing Insulation.
Read MoreThe Restoration of Cor Castle
Cor Castle and the surrounding land has been in my family since the 18th Century. The building was passed down the generations to my grandparents who were living there when it was destroyed by fire in 1921...
Read More