Hemp-lime is a natural material consisting of hemp mixed in with mortar to produce light weight insulating mortars. It has a density of between 110 and 150 kg. per m3. The strands are between 5 and 25mm long. Originally developed in France to repair historic properties to replace deteriorating wattle and daub (a Lime, mud, horse hair and...
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Textured wall coatings or even smooth painted areas don’t usually become infested with moss but normally either an algae or lichen. The colour and type of growth of the algae or lichen depends upon what area of the country it occurs. However, regardless of what type of micro-organism is infesting the textured wall, the treatment...
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The rendering system is determined by the background material, anticipated stress and aesthetics. The number of coats in the rendering varies. The simplest is just one coat, and normally the maximum is three. A basic principle in building up the rendering is that the strength of each layer is less as one moves outwards. The thickness of the rendering is determined...
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There are organisms i.e. algae that can survive extreme and constantly changing environments such as externally rendered surfaces/ façades. The most important factors that control the growth of such organisms on a façade are the relative humidity and the temperature. Fig.1: Microscopic view of an algae micro-organism             Every biological organism has different...
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The original Mediterranean villas in Europe were externally rendered and painted white to help reflect heat from the Sun during the Summer season, the white pigment of the paint being due to  titanium dioxide A rendered finish is generally guaranteed to provide protection of the duration 15-20 years if properly applied while the addition of paint...
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Lime putty based render is known to be less flexible than hydraulic lime render and has the longest time duration to cure/ dry, requiring a minimum of three months. Lime putty based render requires a long time to cure because it slowly absorbs carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere, undergoing a chemical change from calcium...
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Tyrolean rendering is a cement based render containing silicone which gives the render its waterproof properties. It is a finish used on masonry or concrete wall surfaces, suitable in an environment where there water is nearby and/ or high humidity e.g. coastal, suburban and rural environments. Tyrolean is usually applied using a hand operated or open-hopper spraying machine...
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Although rendering is used on property because of its durability and stylish appearance, it is able to sustain damage if it is subjected to sudden and great changes within the property structure e.g. if the house foundation sinks unevenly to the ground due to a faulty ground foundation. Any cracks noticed regardless of how small...
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