About Us
Lime has been used as the principal binder for mortars and plasters for the past 10,000 years. Until the development of Portland cement in the mid-late nineteenth century, lime was the key component of mortars used for the construction of houses, castles, bridges, harbours and other structures and for their internal and external decoration. Nearly all structures made of brick or stone before 1900 were built using lime. And it is important to use lime for their repair; modern materials are too strong and can mar more than they mend. Lime is also eco-friendly, it absorbs carbon dioxide during its curing so new buildings erected with lime have lower carbon foot prints; lime also allows for building materials such as stone and brick to be recycled, the ultimate in green building.
The Building Limes Forum, a charity with no commercial ties, promotes the development of expertise and understanding in the use of lime in building. The Forum holds an annual conference and gathering each year. This informal and friendly three-day event consists of the presentation of papers on the use of lime from users, specifiers, academics and historians and practical demonstrations in the use of lime. Other events, one-day seminars and hands-on lime days, are also held, often in collaboration with other organisations.
The Building Limes Forum is a forum for the exchange of experience, information and opinion amongst its members. Members form a community of lime enthusiasts and practitioners, many of whom are producers, suppliers, specifiers or users of lime. Our members include Lime Producers, Architects, Engineers, Conservators, Surveyors, Builders, Masons, Plasterers, Craftsmen and -women, Academics, Geologists, Archaeologists, Conservation Officers, building owners and others. Membership provides access to this wide body of accumulated experience and expertise and an opportunity to share your own knowledge. Membership of the Building Limes Forum is open to all, no expertise or experience in the use of lime in building is required.