M Renovations

Journal

Understanding old buildings.

Costs, materials and methods explained without the mystery — so you can make good decisions about your building.

These guides answer the questions owners of old buildings actually ask us: what work costs, how long lime takes, which materials belong on a solid wall and why the previous 'fix' made the damp worse. Written from site experience, not sales copy.

  • Costs — honest UK price ranges for lime plastering and rendering, and what moves them
  • Materials — lime vs gypsum, cement render damage, breathable paints
  • Repairs — lath and plaster ceilings, damp in solid-wall houses, bathrooms and kitchens

Every guide carries a published date and gets reviewed as prices and best practice move. If your question is not covered, ask — the next guide usually comes from a reader's building.

All guides

Read the guides.

GuideWhy old buildings need breathable materialsGuideLime plaster vs gypsum: which does your building need?GuideWhy cement render damages old buildings (and what to use instead)GuideHow long does lime plaster take to dry?GuideBreathable paint for lime plaster: what actually worksGuideRepairing lath and plaster ceilings: a practical guideGuideCan lime plaster be used in bathrooms and kitchens?

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