Dolmen Building Conservation - Vernacular Building Materials

Product List

Mature Lime Putty - 25 Litre Tubs

Lime is calcium carbonate and obtained from either limestone or chalk. When burnt and slaked by the addition of water it forms putty. This versatile material has a wide range of uses in the repair of historic buildings. Dolmen will only sell lime putty that has been produced in this manner and recommended its use to all existing and future customers. (The reason for this recommendation is that) lime mortars and renders have stood the test of time and subsequently are again being used for new buildings and extensions in addition to historic building repair.

Ready Mixed Mortars

Ready mix mortars, plasters and renders are supplied in easy to use 25kg bags. All mortars consist of carefully selected sand in addition to mature lime putty. Each mix is thoroughly inspected to ensure the correct standard of mortar is consistently achieved. Variations to these standard mixes are supplied on demand.

	3-1 Ready Mixed Pointing Mortar Bags
	This popular, traditional pointing mortar is ideal for stonework or brickwork and can be tailored to a fine or coarse specification on request. The standard mix consists of three-part quality washed sand to one part mature lime putty.

	3-1 Ready Mixed Plastering Mortar + Hair
	This mortar has the same versatile characteristics of the basic 3-1 ready mixed mortar. However, the difference is the addition of horsehair, which is carefully selected and teased into the mortar. This creates a superb plastering mortar that is suitable for both 1st and 2nd coats.

	4-1 Ready Mixed Mortar
	This mortar mix consists of larger aggregate 5mm down coarse sand, which allows the easy repair of stone and brick gaps that exceed 10mm. The mix contains a ratio of 4-part sand to 1-part mature lime putty. However, the change in the ratio does not affect the strength of the mix, as extra strength and lower shrinkage is achieved by the use of the larger aggregate.

	Finishing Plastering Mix
	The ratio of this mix (1.5 part silver sand - 1 mature lime putty) creates a smooth mortar that remains user friendly whilst being ideal as a final plastering coat. The silver sand used is carefully selected to ensure the correct mortar texture is achieved for every individual bag.

Lime Wash

This is expertly produced by diluting mature lime putty with limewater to produce a lime wash that can be applied both internally and externally to buildings. The internal use of lime was is primarily aesthetic and will create a stylish, authentic decorative finish. In contrast the external use of lime was has a slightly different advantage. Due to the breathable nature of the product it can be applied to the exterior of buildings, acting as sacrificial protective coating that restricts the deterioration of the materials beneath. For this reason it has remained an essential product for those involved in the protection of historic buildings.

Lime was is supplied in either plain form or with the addition of linseed oil. Pigments are also available on request.

Traditional Daub

This product has become popular with all those who have wrestled with the reality of mixing their own daub. Dolmen supplies ready to use bagged daub consisting of 4-part soil, 2-part chopped straw and 1-part mature lime putty. The mix can be tailored to the requirements of our customers on demand.

If you need any more information or wish to order any of these products, then click here to see the ways in which you can contact Dolmen Building Conservation.