Breathable Insulation and Mortars
Who Should Attend
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Historic/Listed Building Consultants
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Architects
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Homeowners
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Damp Specialists
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Building Surveyors
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Students of Architecture & Construction
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Anyone with an interest in sustainable or traditional building methods
Course Overview
This course explores the nature and impact of moisture on solid stone and brick construction and how to manage it effectively. We will examine how to maintain maximum vapour permeability—the ability of liquids and gases to pass through materials—using lime mortars and natural breathable insulation. The aim is to ensure both the longevity and safety of historic building fabric while achieving healthy, sustainable performance in modern use.
Course Agenda
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Moisture in construction – the four key areas
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Traditional masonry and the construction of solid walls
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Traditional mortars – types used in original construction
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Building physics and breathability – the three elements of moisture movement
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External and internal conditions – causes and effects of moisture buildup
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Lime types and the lime cycle
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Breathability – how materials permit moisture movement
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Why mortars fail – vapour permeability, strength, and characteristics
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Moisture damage in traditional buildings
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Mortar types compared – insulating lime mortars, hydraulic vs. non-hydraulic limes
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The insulation layer – potential issues with external and internal systems
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Building health – temperature, ventilation, and moisture buffering
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Wall insulation – breathable insulation boards, pros and cons of internal vs. external options
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Breathable flooring solutions
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Case studies from live projects
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Open Q&A session with presenters
CPD Accreditation
This training course counts as 1 hour of CPD. A certificate of attendance can be provided upon completion.
On the Day
Participants will receive a Zoom link via email on the morning of the course. The session will open with a short introduction from the Roundtower Lime team. This will be followed by the trainer-led presentation. The course concludes with a dedicated Q&A session, where attendees can put questions directly to our guest speaker and Roundtower advisers. If all questions cannot be covered in the live session, the Roundtower team will be available for follow-up discussions afterwards.
