Oxhorn Limeworks Ltd

29/08/2026

Just putting the finishing touches on our latest limewashing project.

Limewash is more than just a traditional finish—it's a breathable protective coating that helps preserve brick, stone, and lime render. By allowing moisture to escape while shielding the surface from the elements, it reduces the risk of trapped damp, frost damage, and premature deterioration.

Traditional materials, protecting traditional buildings.

Oxhorn Limeworks Ltd
Let the past build the future.

21/08/2026

First coat vs final coat of limewash on our current project.

For centuries, limewash has protected masonry while allowing it to breathe. Its naturally high pH also helped keep buildings cleaner by discouraging the growth of bacteria and other microbes.

Traditional methods that still work today.

15/08/2026

Original vs Our Match

📸 Left: The original black ash mortar we've uncovered during this restoration.

📸 Right: Our black ash mortar mix after repointing.

Our aim is never to make masonry look "new"—it's to make repairs that respect the original work. We carefully analyse the existing mortar, adjusting the colour, texture and finish so the new pointing sits naturally alongside the historic brickwork.

Traditional buildings deserve traditional materials and craftsmanship, ensuring repairs are breathable, sympathetic, and built to last.

Let the past build the future.

14/08/2026

Our current project is starting to take shape as the first coat of limewash goes on.

Limewash isn't just the traditional choice—it's one of the most sustainable finishes available.

🌿 Made from natural lime rather than petroleum-based plastics.
♻️ Low embodied carbon and absorbs CO₂ from the atmosphere as it carbonates.
🏡 Fully breathable, allowing moisture to escape instead of trapping it within the wall.
🧱 Protects traditional masonry while maintaining the character of historic buildings.
🔄 Easy to repair and recoat without creating thick layers of plastic that eventually need removing.
🌍 At the end of its life, it returns to the environment with minimal impact compared to modern synthetic coatings.

For centuries we've built with natural, locally sourced materials that worked in harmony with our buildings. Sometimes the best solutions aren't new—they're the ones we've always had.

Oxhorn Limeworks Ltd
Let the past build the future.

02/08/2026

We're currently repointing this property using traditional black ash mortar.

Black ash is a fantastic example of how builders have been recycling for generations. Made using recycled industrial by-products, it gives historic mortar and plaster their distinctive character while putting what would otherwise be waste to good use.

Recycling isn't a new idea—it's something traditional builders have been doing for centuries. Restoring our historic buildings often means looking back at these proven, sustainable methods rather than relying on modern alternatives.

If you have a period property that needs sympathetic repairs, get in touch.

Oxhorn Limeworks Ltd
Let the past build the future.

01/08/2026

The picture below shows the lime cycle—one of the most important concepts to understand when working with traditional fat lime.
Unlike many modern binders that set through a chemical reaction, fat lime hardens by carbonation.

As it cures, it slowly absorbs carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the air and gradually turns back into limestone.
This natural process is what makes lime so unique. It creates a breathable, flexible mortar that is ideal for historic buildings, helping moisture escape while allowing movement without trapping damp.

Understanding the lime cycle is essential if you want to appreciate why traditional lime has been used for centuries—and why we still use it today in heritage restoration.

28/06/2026

Every building tells a story, and the finish of the mortar is an important part of that story.

On this project we're removing the cement render, carrying out lime repointing, replacing damaged brickwork where needed, and finishing the walls with a traditional limewash.

Today's photo shows the difference a tooled finish can make. Unlike a churn brush finish, where the brush is used to compress the mortar, a tooled finish is compressed using a pointing trowel. Neither method is better than the other—they're simply different traditional finishes, each suited to different buildings, periods, and client preferences.

Stay tuned to see the finished project!

Let the past build the future.

26/06/2026

17/06/2026

A great before and after from one of our recent paint removal projects.

Using our DOFF steam cleaning system, we carefully removed layers of modern masonry paint from the brickwork, allowing the original character of the building to be seen again. The system uses high-temperature steam at low pressure, making it ideal for cleaning historic masonry without causing damage.
If you'd like to remove paint from brick, stone, or other masonry surfaces, get in touch for a free quote.

📧 [email protected]
📞 0114 470 1061
🌐 Oxhornlimeworks.co.uk

Let the past build the future.

17/05/2026

We made a video explaining how to think about okd homes when buying materials to fix them.