Lime render, Cowley Terrace

Eleven adjoining houses, one run of render, and not a single expansion joint.

Cowley Terrace is a row of 11 properties in Peel, built in around 1880. The external appearance had dated and the existing render was failing, so a scheme of refurbishment was commissioned that included updating the render system.

The lime based system was chosen to let the sandstone of the buildings breathe, while protecting the substrate from the damaging effects of weather and water ingress. Traditional Natural Hydraulic Lime materials have to be re-wetted to stop them drying out too fast. KEIM Universal Render does not. It retains its flexibility and does not craze while drying, so future thermal expansion and contraction of the buildings will not crack it.

That flexibility is why the job needed no expansion joints at all, despite the render running across eleven adjoining buildings. Some of the alternatives would have forced joints into the run.

The paint

A mineral paint was selected to give a high quality, matt finish. KEIM Soldalit-ME is made with only natural materials and earth oxide pigments, so the colours will never fade and will be far more durable than a conventional finish.

All KEIM mineral paints are inherently resistant to mould and fungal growth. Soldalit-ME goes a step further — it carries a catalyst that actively kills mould and fungal spores.

Between them, the render and the paint will give the terrace many years of protection from weathering and moisture ingress, with a long life decorative finish on top.