Tŷ-Mawr Limewash
Limewash is the traditional paint used to finish lime work both internally and externally. Tŷ-Mawr's high-quality limewash is the ideal paint to use on lime plaster/render or masonry/brick pointed with lime mortar as it is the most vapour permeable paint. This is an extremely cost-effective paint and has good coverage, 3-4sqm per litre (- 20 litres will cover 60-80sqm per coat). It is now available in a beautiful range of tints and full colours to suit all tastes and budgets.
Disclaimer: Please note that whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the colours on this chart, due to the limitations of digital & printing processes, variations will occur. They are therefore produced purely to give an indication of our range for you to be able to select samples. Samples should be purchased and applied in situ. We cannot be held responsible for any loss, damage or costs incurred as a result of choosing and using a colour based solely on the colour chart or digital media.
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Limewash is the traditional paint used to finish lime work both internally and externally. Tŷ-Mawr's high-quality limewash is the ideal paint to use on lime plaster/render or masonry/brick pointed with lime mortar as it is the most vapour permeable paint.
This is an extremely cost-effective paint and has good coverage, 3-4sqm per litre (- 20 litres will cover 60-80sqm per coat). It is now available in a beautiful range of tints and full colours to suit all tastes and budgets.
It has a matt finish and a 'depth' which most modern paints lack. It reflects light and appears to 'glow' in sunlight. The Tŷ-Mawr Limewash is a creamy off-white to which pigments can be added or premixed colours are available.
External Limewash
Other additions to limewash
As well as adding fine aggregate to make a shelter coat or pigments to produce a colour, it is possible to add other ingredients to limewash, some of the most popular
are:
• casein, to help it adhere to the background. Only add 500g casein powder (mixed into a paste), to a 20-litre bucket of limewash. We would recommend that this is used internally where a limewash aesthetic is required but where e.g. residues on the wall mean that a pure limewash will struggle to adhere.
• raw linseed oil can also be used, usually externally at a ratio of a 100ml per 20-litre bucket.
• tallow - again this helps the limewash to bind and weather, as it is a ‘fat’, it is best added when the quicklime is ‘slaked’ (so that it dissolves when the limewash is ‘hot’), it is possible to buy pre-made ‘tallowed limewash’ which avoids having to deal with quicklime yourself.
It should be noted, that additives can compromise the vapour permeability of the wall and so should be used with caution. Many limewash ‘paints’ on the market may have acrylics or other additives that may not be desirable technically for the building or environmentally.
To see an example of this product in use, please see our case studies of The Essex Business School, The University of Essex, Maesgwyn Cottage, Carmarthenshire and Clifton Place, Newport.
It is vitally important to apply limewash correctly to avoid e.g excessive dusting, you should also ensure that you order enough of your chosen colour to complete the project to avoid variations particularly on same elevation. See technical sheet for further information.
Properties - the adhesion of limewash relies on suction from the surface to which it is applied. It sticks well to lime plasters and renders, stone, brick and similar materials, but does not adhere so well to modern materials and finishes.
In some circumstances, it may be necessary to help limewash bind (eg very exposed conditions). Casein, tallow or raw linseed oil can be added for this purpose, but remember that any additive may compromise the 'breathability' of limewash to some extent.
Limewash is caustic and it is therefore important to protect your eyes and skin. For the limewash to be successful, it is vitally important to apply it correctly and in the right weather conditions to avoid e.g excessive dusting.
Suitable For
- Internal & External Painting onto lime plasters/renders or stone/brick work
Coverage Rate
- 3-4m² per litre in a single coat
- One bucket (20l) will cover 60-80m² in a single coat
- Has been used as a decorative and protective finish for 1000s of years
- Is extremely "breathable" (water vapour permeable) enabling any moisture that has entered the building to evaporate which results in healthier, drier buildings.
- Contains no VOC's, this makes it safe for you and your familiy to live with (N.B. it is caustic, so skin and eyes should be protected during application but it does not off-gas or pollute the room in anyway).
- Is mildly antiseptic so is still used in agricultural buildings prior to e.g. lambing, to help 'cleanse' the internal environment
- Gives a beautiful matt aesthetic which no modern paint can match and is just perfect for old buildings
- Powder pigments can be added to create a limitless range of beautiful colours!
- Other components can be added to help it adhere to more backgrounds and to improve it's weatherability, please see The Lime Handbook or contact us for advice - tymawr@lime.org.uk
Available in 10l or 20l buckets
Please note when sending these buckets with a parcel courrier they are often transported in jerry cans to reduce damage in transit
Customer Questions
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