Rushbury Manor (built circa 1680), a half-timbered manor house in Shropshire, has been restored to its former glory using the modern equivalents of the original breathable materials that have kept the building standing for over three centuries.
Impermeable gypsum and cement-based mortars, plaster and plasterboard – used to restore the property in the 1960s – were replaced with breathable materials. Wood fibre insulation, lime mortar and plaster, which were then lime-washed for a consistent finish, allow water vapour to pass in and out of the building. Breathability aids the house’s fabric, as well as occupant health and comfort, as the 1680s manor house now has thermal performance that rivals that of a modern home.
Products used – Lime Green Solo One Coat Plaster, Lime Green Ultra Insulation Plaster, Lime Green Paint (Motif) fibre boards.