Lime Plasters and Renders

External Lime Coatings on Traditional Buildings Compiled by the Scottish Lime Centre Trust
Historic Scotland Technical Advice Note 15. A comprehensive account of the benefits of using lime finishes on the exteriors of traditionally constructed buildings. Illustrated
2001, A4, 92 pages

Conservation of Plasterwork Compiled and edited by Simpson and Brown Architects.
Historic Scotland Technical Advice Note 2. An account of the types of plaster found in Scottish traditional buildings with advice on conservation, repair, restoration methods and specification.
2002, A4, 44 pages, illustrated

Care and Conservation of 17th Century Plasterwork
Historic Scotland Technical Advice Note 26, to be read in conjunction with Conservation of Plasterwork (TAN 2). Covers a range of issues concerned with the care and repair of decorative plasterwork dating from the first three-quarters of the seventeenth century.
2004, A4, 68 pages, illustrated

Decorative Plasterwork in Great Britain By Geoffrey Beard, new introduction by Richard Ireland
A key reference book on 16th to 19th century plasterers and their craft. First published in 1975, republished with new introduction by Richard Ireland
1975, republished 2011, 296 pages, 158 black and white photographs
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Using Natural Finishes By Adam Weismann & Katy Bryce
Step-by-step instructions with illustrations to show working with lime- and clay-based plasters, renders and paints from design, preparation, materials and execution.
2008, 264 pages, Lavishly illustrated.
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Decorative Plasterwork: Repair and Restoration By W.D. Stagg and R. Masters
A textbook for craftsmen and specifiers.
1986, A4, 1 photo, 16 technical drawings

Plastering By J T Sawyer, Introduction by Tim Ratcliffe and Jeff Orton.
Straightforward practical instruction on the tried and tested methods of plastering including the tools, running moulds and geometry for setting out.
1951 (facsimile 2007) 144 pages, hardback.

The Modern Plasterer By W. Verral, Introduction by Tim Ratcliffe and Jeff Orton.
An invaluable source of information, not only for plasterers but also for designers and specifiers who want to understand plastering methods and materials better.
c1930 (facsimile 2000) 456 pages, 342 figures, 16 plates, hardback.

Plastering Plain & Decorative – 4th Edition By William Millar, rewritten and revised by George Bankart. Introduction by Tim Ratcliffe and Jeff Orton.
Millar’s 1897 text revised and four new chapters added (on lime-stucco, modern plasterwork, modelling in relief and exterior plastering and sgraffito).
1927 (facsimile 2009) 496 pages, hardback.
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The Art of the Plasterer By George Bankart
A real attempt to understand the historical development of the craft and a good insight into the ideas and ideals that Arts and Crafts designers were seeking to follow. New introduction by Tim Ratcliffe and Jeff Orton.
1908, republished 2002
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Plastering, Plain and Decorative By William Millar, Introduction by Tim Ratcliffe and Jeff Orton.
Still viewed as the plastering bible. A comprehensive coverage of traditional plasterwork, including everything from plain lime plastering through to hand modelling and cast plasterwork.
1897 (facsimile 2010) 768 pages, 231 plates, hardback

Decorative Plasterwork of Somerset By J and J Penoyre
Decorative Plasterwork in the Houses of Somerset 1500-1700. Sources, style, symbolism, the crastsmen, technique and conservation. Gazetteer and a glossary.
1994, 88 pages, 125 illustrations

The Nearly Non Technical Book on Plasterwork By Leonard Grandison
Available from L Grandison & Sons, Innerleithen Road, Peebles EH45 8BA. Telephone 01721 720212 for availability and price
Leonard Grandison's humorous overview