Limewashing at Lavenham Guildhall

A contractor applying limewash by hand on the gable end at Lavenham Guildhall, Suffolk. — Limewashing the gable end of Lavenham Guildhall | © National Trust Images/Richard Scott

Every five years we work with local contractors to protect the timbers and plaster of Lavenham Guildhall by applying several coats of limewash. Find out more about the process, why it’s so important for timber-framed buildings like the Guildhall and how we carry out the work.

Limewashing at Lavenham Guildhall

East Anglia has a wealth of timber-framed buildings, many of which, like the Guildhall, were built with exuberant carvings to display the carpenter’s skills as well as the owner’s wealth. These carved timbers were intended to be seen and some were covered by a skin of lime render.

As part of our conservation of the Guildhall and to protect its intricate 16th-century carvings, every five years we coat the entire Guildhall building with several coats of limewash.

What is limewashing?

Limewashing is a traditional preservative. Exposed timber frames are painted with a ‘wash’ of lime that acts as a preservative against pollutants and other destructive elements in the atmosphere.

The lime becomes ingrained in the beams, preventing moisture from penetrating while allowing the wood to breathe. It also prevents bug infestations. Two or three coats are applied, after which any excess is brushed off.

Detail of the medieval timbers of Lavenham Guildhall, Suffolk — Detail of the timbers of Lavenham Guildhall | © National Trust Images/John Millar

Aren’t the timbers supposed to be black?

The timbers of the Guildhall would have originally looked as they do today, with a limewash finish. It was only during Victorian times that it became more fashionable to use oil-based paints, or to darken the timbers with black emulsion.

Unfortunately, this can cause more harm to the timber frames as it seals in the moisture. This makes woodworm and death watch beetle infestations more likely to develop as the treatment isn't breathable.

In keeping with the Guildhall’s history, we take great care to preserve the building’s original nature by using authentic and original quality coatings and products – in this case, limewash. Over time the weather removes the lime, showing the weathered oak as a silver-grey colour.

How we carry out the work

A project on a grand scale like this takes a lot of planning and managing and, as it’s an exterior job, progress can be affected by the weather. We work with local producers and contractors for both the limewash itself and the application and execution of the project.

The work takes between eight and 10 weeks, and we usually apply three coats of the limewash. We don’t need to limewash both the plaster and the timbers every time; in 2012 we did both but in 2017 only the plaster required work.

Scaffolding on the Market Place facade of Lavenham Guildhall, Suffolk, in preparation for limewashing. — Scaffolding on Lavenham Guildhall in preparation for limewashing | © National Trust Images/Richard Scott

Erecting scaffolding

Scaffolding is unsightly on a building such as the Guildhall, but it’s the safest and most efficient way to get up close to the surfaces for the initial inspection and to apply the limewash thoroughly.

Painting by hand

You might imagine we spray the limewash onto the building but in fact it’s all done by hand. This is the only way can we ensure the limewash is thoroughly ingrained into the fabric of the building and therefore protected from the weather and pollutants for the next five years.

A dangerous material

Limewash is a hazardous material which can cause irritation and damage to the eyes and skin, so we must be very careful when we are applying it. We protect nearby plants and wildlife, both on our site and on neighbouring properties.