Mortars, Renders and Plasters provides a broad perspective of contemporary conservation theory and practice not otherwise found in one publication, describing the history, physical properties, and deterioration of these important materials.

The contents reflect the work of the Building Conservation and Research Team, their colleagues at Historic England, and their consultants and researchers, who together have many decades of accumulated experience in dealing with deteriorating building materials and systems of all types. This multi-disciplinary team of architects, surveyors, conservators and scientists are responsible for standard setting and research across a wide range of Historic England activities. The team specialises in dealing with the practical, technical and scientific aspects of building materials decay and their treatment. The aim has been to provide practical advice by advocating a common approach of firstly understanding the material or building element and why it is deteriorating, and then dealing with the causes. The books concentrate on those aspects which are significant in conservation terms, and reflect the requests for information received by Historic England.

About This Book Using These Books Part 1: Materials and History of Use: Introduction Mortars, Renders and Plasters: A Historical Perspective Historic Mortars: Materials Historic Mortars: Preparation Part 2: Deterioration and Damage: Inherent Causes of Deterioration Environmental Causes of Deterioration Inappropriate Intervention and Use Part 3: Assessment: Understanding Buildings and Their Condition Surveying Mortars, Renders and Plasters Symptoms and Diagnosis of Causes of Deterioration Part 4: Treatment and Repair: Project Planning and development Mortars for Conservation Mortar Design and Specification Preparation of Mortars for Conservation Using Lime Mortar: Good Practice Desalination Repointing Conservation of Render and Plaster on Solid Background Conservation of Render and Plaster on Flexible Support Conservation of Decorative Plaster and Render Other Treatments Part 5: Care and Maintenance: Building MaintenancePart 6: Special Topics: Paints for Plaster and Render Decorative Painting on Plaster and Render Natural Cements Mortar Floors Ruins Appendices Glossary Bibliography Index