Publication on Limes Bookstall

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Building Limes Technical Reference
Lime for Conservation
Lime Mortars
Lime Plasters and Renders
Lime Burning and Production
Masonry Construction
Earth Construction
Research and Conference Proceedings
Historical Reference
Directories

Building Limes Technical Reference

Building with Lime by Stafford Holmes and Michael Wingate
A starting point and general reference book to the broad range of uses for lime in construction.
1997, revised 2002, 309 pages, many photos and drawings. Read our Review

Lime Works by Pat McAfee
A guide to the many uses of lime in building, aimed at building owners, practitioners and specifiers. Highly illustrated and cross-referenced, previous technical knowledge is not necessary.
2009, Commissioned by BLF Ireland. Normal price: €30, price to BLF and BLFI Members: €25.

Lime in Building – a Practical Guide by Jane Schofield
Written in the clearest terms for absolute beginners and with dozens of line drawings.
1998, A5, 32 pages

How Hydraulic Lime Binders Work by Alan Forster and Pat Gibbons
Hydraulicity for beginners and the hydraulic lime family. Scientific yet readable account of the differences and similarities of hydraulic lime and cement. Read our Review
2005

Conosci il Grassello di Calce? by Andrea Ratazzi
Origine, produzione, impiego del grassello di calce in architettura, nell’arte e nel restauro.
2007, 224 pages, in Italian

Lime for Conservation

Old House Handbook: A Practical Guide to Care and Repair by Roger Hunt & Marianne Suhr
An authoritative guide on how to look after your old house using the conservation approach of the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings. Repair or maintenance from the foundations to the roof.
2008, 208 pages, many colour illustrations, hardback. Read our Review

Precious Inheritance – The Conservation of Welsh Vernacular Buildings by Cliff Blundell
Written for the general reader and without detailed technical explanations, the benefits of ‘breathability’ achieved through lime magic: the technical benefits, the emotional and economic benefits, preservative powers, green credentials, etc. With useful case studies.
2008, 110 pages, many colour illustrations. Available from Cliff Blundell, Dolaumaen, Mynachlogddu, Clynderwen, Pembrokeshire, SA66 7SB for £10 plus £2 P+P (cheques to be made out to Cliff Blundell).

Lime Mortars

Preparation and Use of Lime Mortars by Pat Gibbons
Historic Scotland Technical Advice Note 1. A guide to the principles underlying the use of lime mortars in re-pointing and masonry consolidation, including advice on materials, specification and site practice.
2003, A4, 76 pages, illustrated

Lime and Lime Mortars by A.D. Cowper
Provides a classification of lime and a state of the art review of its various uses in building construction and repair, of substantial interest and practical value since the methods, terminology and practices detailed by Cowper are still valid today.
1927 (facsimile 1998), 96 pages

Hydraulic Lime Mortar for Stone, Brick and Block Masonry by Geoffrey Allen, Jim Allen, Nick Elton, Michael Farey, Stafford Holmes, Paul Livesey and Mileva Radonjic
Best Practice guide to using hydraulic lime mortar invaluable for all building practitioners, contractors and tradesmen specifying or handling hydraulic lime on site.
2003, 104 pages

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, PB

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: Repair and Restoration by W.D. Stagg and R. Masters
A textbook for craftsmen and specifiers.
1986, A4, 1 photo, 16 technical drawings

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

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

Plastering, Plain and Decorative – 4th Edition by William Millar, rewritten and revised by George Bankart. Introduction by Tim Ratcliffe and Jeff Orton.
Millar’s 1987 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. Read our Review

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

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. Read our Review

Lime Burning and Production

Small-scale Lime-burning by Michael Wingate, Jonathan Sakula and Neville Hill.
A guide to the selection, design and operation of lime-burning plants for small-scale operations presented in the philosophy of small is beautiful.
1985, 144 pages

The Small-scale Vertical Shaft Lime Kiln by Kelvin Mason
A practical guide to design, construction and use.
1999, A4, 70 pages, several photos and figures

Masonry Construction

Practical Stone Masonry by P R Hill and J C E David
Covers the basic methods of working stone, the making of specialized tools, and, for the first time, a full analysis of the procedures for setting-out for repairs.
1995, 288 pages

Modern Practical Masonry by Edmund George Warland
An essential reference for stone masons and conservation practitioners working with historic buildings.
1929 (facsimile 2006) 368 pages

Irish Stone Walls by Patrick McAfee
A practical look at all the regional varieties and how to build each type. The only number one bestseller on the BLF bookstall.
1997, 24cm, 175 pages, heavily illustrated, hardback

Brickwork: History Technology and Practice
Gerard Lynch
An in depth guide to all aspects of brickwork and bricklaying practice.
1994, 456 pages in two hardback vols.

Gauged Brickwork: A Technical Handbook by Gerard Lynch
This practical handbook for superior brickwork combines simple diagrams and photographs to describe each stage of the process, from rubbing, cutting and shaping the bricks to laying and carving them.
2006, 25cm, 224 pages, many illustrations, hardback.

The History of Gauged Brickwork by Gerard Lynch
The history and use of cut, rubbed and gauged brickwork, the use of tools and equipment and the differences between historic and contemporary bricks with a view to inform conservation and restoration decisions.
2007, 464 pages, many illustrations, hardback. Read our Review

Brickwork Repair and Restoration by W.G. Nash
A text book for craftsmen.
1989 (2nd ed.), A4, 66 pages, 70 figures

Conservation of Brick by John Warren
Technique, science and philosophy for specifiers and conservers.
1999, 25cm, 294 pages, many illustrations, hardback.

Earth Construction

Building with Earth: A Handbook by John Norton
Very practical and inspiring. This is what you do.
1997 (2nd ed.) 24.5cm, 78 pages, fully illustrated.

Earth Construction: A Comprehensive Guide by Hugo Houben and Hubert Guillaud
1989, 25cm, 362 pages, countless illustrations.

Building with Cob: A Step-by-step Guide by Adam Weismann & Katy Bryce
A step-by-step guide to the ancient method of cob building using a simple mixture of clay sub-soil, aggregate, straw and water to create solid structural walls built without shuttering or forms.
2006, 256 pages, fully illustrated.

Earth Structures and Construction in Scotland by Bruce Walker, Christopher McGregor and Rebecca Little
Historic Scotland Technical Advice Note 6. A wide ranging study of all aspects relating to earth structures, their recognition and conservation.
1996, A4, 128 pages, densely illustrated.

Scottish Turf Construction
Historic Scotland Technical Advice Note 30.
All aspects of turf construction in Scotland from the material itself, methods of building and tools used, maintenance and conservation, case studies.
2006, A4, 92 pages, illustrated.

Research and Conference Proceedings

Lime Conference Proceedings
Proceedings of the Scotland International Lime Conference, Edinburgh, 1995. The state (in 1995) of understanding of lime of interest to those using traditional lime mortars, renders, decorative and protective treatments in building and conservation work. Also available to BLF members as Lime News Vol 4.1
1995, A4, 89 pages, illustrated.

Traditional Building Materials
Proceedings of the Traditional Building Materials Conference held in Stirling in September 1997. It covers a wide range of issues relating to the history, use, and repair of traditional building materials, including earth, clay, brick, slate and stone.
1997, A4, 136 pages, illustrated.

Lime and Other Alternative Cements by Neville Hill, Stafford Holmes and David Mather ed.
Includes papers from Ray Smith, John Fidler, John Bucknall, and Jim Allen.
1992, 23cm, 317 pages.

Historical Reference

Observations on Lime, Cements, Mortars, Stuccos and Concrete by Sir Charles Pasley
“Observations on Limes, Calcareous Cements, Mortars, Puzzolanas, Natural and Artificial, together with Rules deduced from Numerous Experiments for Making an Artificial Water Cement Equal in Efficiency to the best Natural Cements of England.”
1847 (facsimile 2010), 228 pages, hardback

Observations on Limes by Sir Charles Pasley, Introduction by Michael Wingate
A fascinating insight into the developments using lime during the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. Michael Wingate’s excellent introduction to this edition offers a helpful present day perspective of the work undertaken on lime in that period, and shows how relevant such research is to conservation practitioners and others currently specifying or directly working with lime.
1838 (facsimile 1997) 160 pages, hardback

Mortars and Cements by L J Vicat, Translated by Capt. J.T. Smith
The classification which Vicat prepared is still valid today and enables the best use to be made of lime, particularly for hydraulic works. Smith’s enthusiastic notes are as exciting as Vicat’s text on how to choose and use the right limes.
1837 (facsimile 1997) 22cm, 352 pages, hardback

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 1998) 768 pages, 231 plates, hardback

Plastering, Plain and Decorative – 4th Edition by William Millar, rewritten and revised by George Bankart. Introduction by Tim Ratcliffe and Jeff Orton.
Millar’s 1987 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. Read our Review

Lime and Lime Mortars by A.D. Cowper
Provides a classification of lime and a state of the art review of its various uses in building construction and repair, of substantial interest and practical value since the methods, terminology and practices detailed by Cowper are still valid today.
1927 (facsimile 1998), 96 pages

Directories

Building Stone Resources of the United Kingdom. British Geological Survey in conjunction with Historic Scotland, and other principal heritage and industry bodies.
A map showing major building stone types and building stone quarries with images of buildings and the stone from which they are constructed. A useful classroom resource and a source of information for anyone seeking to learn more about the United Kingdom’s natural resources.
2001, 28.8 × 18.4 × 0.6 cm

Scottish Aggregates for Building Conservation by Alick Leslie and Pat Gibbons
Historic Scotland Technical Advice Note 19. A guide to the availability and suitability of aggregates for use in mortars to match those used in historic buildings in Scotland.
1999, A4, 60 pages, 19 figures

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