SPAB Technical Note. The Need for Old Buildings to 'Breathe'
The Need for Old Buildings to ‘Breathe’ is the title of a Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB) Technical Advice Note and was written by Philip Hughes BSc, MRICS (Chartered Building Surveyor) and SPAB Scholar.
This document gives an excellent explanation of the differences between historical construction methods and materials and modern methods and materials. It describes extremely well the concept of 'breathing' materials, in the context of traditional construction and how their characteristics help prolong the life of historical buildings. It further describes issues relating to the introduction modern or impervious materials in the context of historical buildings and the issues this can cause.
It describes different applications from external render and pointing to internal plaster and paints as well as the nuances and gradations in the breathability of construction materials. It is not only a brief but invaluable resource for homeowners, designers and contractors dealing with historical buildings but also those looking to create modern buildings from natural or breathable materials.
Follow the link for further information about The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB) and here to download the Technical Advice Note 'The Need for Old Buildings to ‘Breathe’'.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Conservation officer.
- Conservation.
- Defects in stonework.
- Dry hydrate lime mortar.
- Finding stone to conserve historic buildings.
- Hemp lime construction: A guide to building with hemp lime composites.
- High lime low alkali glass.
- Hot-mixed mortars: the new lime revival.
- Hydraulic lime.
- Hydrated lime.
- IHBC articles.
- Lime concrete.
- Lime mortar.
- Lime plaster.
- Lime putty mortar.
- Lime run-off.
- Masonry.
- Mortar.
- Mortar analysis for specifiers.
- Non hydraulic lime.
- Portland cement.
- Putty lime.
- Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings.
- Soda-lime glass.
- Sourcing stone to repair Exeter Cathedral.
- The Institute of Historic Building Conservation.
- The use of lime mortar in building conservation.
- Types of mortar.
Featured articles and news
CIOB Art of Building photo contest 2024
International showcase for the very best photography of the built environment.
Celebrating architecture's eloquent champions.
Unusual perspectives on 1960s’ thinking.
AI and the challenges to intellectual property
The legal landscape of adopting AI now and in the future.
Worrying landscape for Welsh construction SMEs revealed.
In recent risk factor analysis report completed by CIOB.
Construction Sport survey highlights risks of dehydration
Supporting construction workers to avoid dangers.
Can your business afford to ignore mental well-being?
£70 - 100 billion annually in UK construction sector.
Mental health in the construction industry
World Mental Health Day 10 October.
Construction awards provide relief in wake of ISG collapse
Spike in major infrastructure awards, housing up but short of targets, are ISG collapse impacts yet to come.
Biodiversity net gain with related updates and terms
Only 0.5% of applications subject to BNG in the context significant proposed changes to planning.
As political power has shifted from blue to red
Has planning now moved from brown to green?
The role of construction in tackling the biodiversity crisis
New CIOB Nature of Building digital series available now.
The Nature Towns and Cities initiative
Grants of up to 1 million for local councils and partners.
The continued ISG fall out October updates
Where to look for answers to frequently asked questions.
Building safety remediation programme for Wales
With 2024 October progress updates.
In major support package for small businesses.
Conservation and transformation
Reading Ruskin’s cultural heritage. Book review.