Clay and Lime Plaster for Timber Framed Homes in Warwickshire

Short answer. Timber framed and older brick homes in Coventry and Warwickshire need wall finishes that let moisture move in and out, so clay plaster, lime plaster, Marmorino and limewash are the right family of finishes for them. Hard modern plaster and plastic paints can trap damp against old timber and brick. Many of these buildings are listed, so speak to the council's conservation officer before booking any work.

Zavoré lays this for you too. Our own team provides clay plaster installation across the UK, including Venetian plastering in Warwickshire.

Old buildings across the county

Coventry's city centre was largely rebuilt after bombing in the Second World War, so its older houses survive in pockets. Spon Street still has a row of timber framed buildings. Beyond the city, Warwick is a medieval town with its castle, Stratford upon Avon is famous as Shakespeare's birthplace and has many Tudor timber framed houses, and Leamington Spa is known for its Regency terraces with painted stucco fronts. In between are villages of brick and timber cottages, some still thatched.

Why timber frames need breathable walls

In a timber framed house, the oak frame carries the building and the gaps between the timbers are filled with panels. Older panels are often wattle and daub, which is woven sticks covered in a mix of clay, straw and other natural materials. Later panels are usually brick.

The frame moves a little with the seasons as the timber takes in and loses moisture. Hard modern plaster cannot move with it, so it tends to crack along the line of the timber. Worse, it can hold moisture against the wood, which over time can lead to rot. Clay and lime are softer, more flexible and porous, so they allow the wall to dry out naturally.

Choosing between clay and lime

Both are breathable, but they behave differently. Our guide to clay plaster vs lime plaster covers this in full. In short.

• Clay plaster dries rather than sets, so it can be dampened and reworked later. It has soft, earthy colours and a warm feel, and suits bedrooms, living rooms and studies.
• Lime plaster sets slowly by taking in carbon dioxide from the air, a process called carbonation. It ends up harder than clay, so it copes better in hallways and kitchens.
• Marmorino is a lime plaster with crushed marble added. It gives a smoother, more refined finish while staying breathable.
• Limewash can go over lime plaster as a final coat of colour.

Regency rooms in Leamington

The Regency houses of Leamington Spa have a different character from the timber framed cottages. Rooms tend to be taller, with decorative cornice at the top of the walls. Here a lime finish such as Marmorino or Grassello, a polished lime plaster, can sit below the original cornice. Zavoré also fits, matches and restores cornice, coving and ceiling roses where sections are cracked or missing.

Listed buildings

Many of Warwickshire's timber framed houses are listed. Listed building consent can be needed for internal work, including replastering and changes to mouldings. Ask the local council's conservation officer before you book, so the work is agreed before it starts.

To see a finish in your colour, order a sample board, call 07592 929191 or email sales@zavore.co.uk. Our applicators travel from Birmingham, and you can read how that works on the installation page.

Questions we get asked

Can clay plaster go on a timber framed wall?

Yes. Clay plaster is breathable and flexible, which suits timber framed walls. The base must be sound and any damp problem dealt with first.

Is clay plaster suitable for a kitchen?

Clay plaster is better kept away from areas that get splashed often. A lime finish such as Marmorino or Grassello is usually the more practical choice in a kitchen.

Do I need consent to replaster a listed cottage?

Listed building consent can be needed for internal work. Ask your local council's conservation officer before booking.