Let’s make this simple. When it comes to any outdoor building work, it’s always best to plan to have it done around Spring and Summer, just because there’s an increased chance of better weather. However, when it comes to lime render, there is another very important factor and that’s the temperature. The only other issue to consider is how busy the specialist firm you’re talking to actually is.

Sensible clients who know us well tend to approach us in the winter months knowing full well that our work schedule has a reasonably long lead time. At Leyden we plan our schedule a good six months to a year in advance. What this means is that when we start that conversation in the winter months, we’re naturally looking at the summertime anyway. 

We appreciate that not all heritage plastering specialists have the same levels of demand, but ask yourself a question, if any building related firm can start a project straight away, then how good are they? 

But coming back to the weather, wet conditions aren’t great for lime rendering, in the same way that they’re not great for any building work. However, there are ways round that including full wrapped scaffolding with temporary tin hats, it’s all possible.

But the biggest, most volatile factor is actually temperature, because that impacts the science of the materials that we use. Temperature can have a dramatic impact on the drying rate of lime render and that can mean the difference between success and failure. Bear in mind that although freezing cold temperatures are tricky to work in, it’s the warmer temperatures that speed up drying time which in turn can result in cracking. 

Here at Leyden, we not only focus on getting the lime render applied properly in the first place, but where necessary we also manage the drying process afterwards with regular damping down of the hessian drapes that cover the finished work. Failing to do this simple bit of aftercare can be disastrous for the project as a whole. 

So, if you are interested in starting a conversation about a potential lime render project then take our advice and start that conversation as early as possible. Also, just because it’s wet outside, don’t be afraid to start that enquiry outside of the summer season. Remember, there’s always going to be a lead time when the firm you’re talking is as good as us.  

Here at Leyden, we’re experts in lime renders as well as hand-crafted pointing, lime plasters and decorative features. Craftsmanship is everything to us and we’re proud of the fact that we’re grounded in our obsession with traditional materials and their ability to help preserve heritage properties. 

If you’d like to know more about how we could with help your heritage property, then get in contact with us at Leyden on hello@leydensw.co.uk, we are after-all, serious about craftsmanship.

Matt & Hannah