Looking for lime plastering in Truro? We are traditional lime specialists covering Cornwall and the rest of South West England. Our work here ranges from cob and thatch cottages to listed buildings and conservation-area homes, and every mix is chosen for the granite and killas rubble we find behind the existing finish.
Truro'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 Truro 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.
Softness is the point. Traditional Cornwall walling of granite and killas rubble is weaker than modern cement, so a hard mortar concentrates stress and moisture into the masonry face. Lime is deliberately the weaker material, and that is what makes it correct for Truro's older homes.
You get a single point of contact from survey to final coat. We agree the specification for your Truro property in writing, prepare and apply the lime in the correct build-up, and advise on breathable decoration once the work has cured.
Every Truro property is surveyed individually, but these examples show the kind of Cornwall buildings and use-cases we are called to most often.
Regency terrace — Eroding masonry faces on a Regency terrace in Truro 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 — Weather-facing walls of a harbourside fisherman's cottage taking the full force of the wet, wind-driven rain typical of the South West. We specified hot-mixed lime with coarse local aggregate, built up in generous coats, built the render up in generous coats and protected the work while it carbonated to avoid shrinkage cracking.
stone-built chapel conversion — Salt-contaminated plaster around a reopened fireplace in a stone-built chapel conversion in Truro. We removed the affected plaster, applied a salt-tolerant lime build-up and finished flush with the surrounding original work.
It depends on the wall and its exposure. For most Cornwall work we use hot-mixed lime with coarse local aggregate, built up in generous coats, stepping up to a more hydraulic lime only where exposure or the substrate genuinely demands it.
External lime work is best carried out between spring and early autumn so it can carbonate before the first frosts. Internal lime plastering in Truro can be done year-round with adequate heating and ventilation.
Send us the details of your Truro property through the contact form and we will arrange a free survey. You will receive a written specification and quote with no obligation to proceed.
Where damp is caused by trapped moisture in a solid wall — very common in older Truro properties — replacing cement or gypsum with lime allows the wall to dry out. We always identify the source of moisture during the survey before recommending work.
Yes. We regularly work on listed and conservation-area properties across Cornwall and can supply mix specifications and sample panels for Truro conservation officers where consent is required.
Our lime plastering, render and pointing teams also cover these towns and cities close to Truro in Cornwall and the wider South West England area.
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