Damp, blown plaster and failing render are common complaints in Penzance's older housing. Because so much of it is built from cob and exposed to the wet, wind-driven rain typical of the South West, the fix is nearly always breathable lime rather than another coat of cement. We deliver that work throughout Cornwall.
Penzance's building stock reflects the history of South West England, and cob, rubble stone and granite make breathability non-negotiable. Applying gypsum or cement to these walls traps moisture; lime lets it evaporate freely, protecting the fabric of the building for decades.
The older parts of Penzance are dominated by cob and thatch cottages, granite farmhouses, Georgian and Regency terraces. These are solid-wall constructions — there is no cavity, no damp-proof membrane and no vapour barrier — so the wall relies on evaporation through the plaster and render to stay dry.
Solid-wall buildings in Penzance were designed to absorb and release moisture. Lime keeps that cycle working; cement seals it in. That single difference explains why so many Cornwall homes develop damp after a modern refurbishment.
You get a single point of contact from survey to final coat. We agree the specification for your Penzance property in writing, prepare and apply the lime in the correct build-up, and advise on breathable decoration once the work has cured.
Every Penzance property is surveyed individually, but these examples show the kind of Cornwall buildings and use-cases we are called to most often.
cob and thatch cottage — Eroding masonry faces on a cob and thatch cottage in Penzance caused by hard cement pointing. We raked out by hand to the correct depth and repointed in a soft lime mortar matched to the original aggregate and colour of the cob.
harbourside fisherman's cottage — Peeling modern masonry paint on a harbourside fisherman's cottage in Cornwall. The impermeable coating was removed, minor render defects were patched in lime, and the elevations were finished in several thin coats of limewash.
Regency terrace — Blown gypsum plaster and tide marks on the ground floor of a Regency terrace in Cornwall. We hacked off the gypsum, applied a haired lime base coat and a lime putty finish, and specified clay paint so the wall could keep drying.
Yes. We regularly work on listed and conservation-area properties across Cornwall and can supply mix specifications and sample panels for Penzance conservation officers where consent is required.
External lime work is best carried out between spring and early autumn so it can carbonate before the first frosts. Internal lime plastering in Penzance can be done year-round with adequate heating and ventilation.
We do. Penzance is one of our core areas and we travel throughout Cornwall and the surrounding parts of South West England for lime plastering, lime render, lime pointing and heritage repair.
Our lime plastering, render and pointing teams also cover these towns and cities close to Penzance in Cornwall and the wider South West England area.
Browse all areas we cover across the UK
Get a lime plastering quote in Penzance