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17th-Century Stone Farm House (c. 1600s) - Midtown House - Lake District
Project
Midtown House - 17th-Century Stone Cottage (c. 1600s)
Midtown House is a traditional stone cottage dating back to the 1600s, located in the Lake District and exposed to severe weather conditions. The project focused on removing inappropriate modern materials and reinstating a breathable lime render system suited to the age, construction, and exposure of the building.
Existing failed render was carefully removed in stages. Mechanical tools were used initially to reduce bulk, before switching to hand tools closer to the stonework to ensure no damage was caused to the historic masonry. Failed cementitious mortar was then raked out from the joints, allowing the walls to be properly assessed and prepared.
The masonry was dubbed out using a traditional lime mix to correct levels and provide a suitable base for rendering. A multi-coat lime render system was then applied, with two base coats reinforced using horse hair to improve cohesion and accommodate natural movement within the structure.
Given the building’s exposure, the final coat was a lime-rich wet dash / roughcast (harl) finish, selected specifically to improve weather protection while maintaining breathability and the historical look. Each wall was assessed individually, with the lime mix adjusted where necessary including the careful use of NHL in more exposed areas to suit the level of weathering each wall received.
During the curing phase, hessian was used to protect the render and support a slow, natural carbonation process. The coverings were kept damp and maintained with regular wetting throughout the day, providing protection from direct sunlight during an unusually hot and dry period in the Lake District.
The render was finished with multiple coats of hot-applied limewash, providing a fully breathable, sacrificial finish that will continue to weather naturally over time.
The work was carried out using traditional lime materials and methods appropriate to the age, construction, and exposure of the building, with care taken to respect its character and the craftsmanship that has allowed it to endure for over four centuries.
