True restoration requires an intimate understanding of the materials the building was born from. We source and utilize historically accurate, local materials to ensure chemical and structural compatibility with pre-1919 masonry.
The bedrock of the county. Killas is a deeply stratified metamorphic rock found extensively throughout Cornwall. Due to its layered sedimentary origins, it is highly susceptible to delamination if bedded incorrectly with rigid modern cements. We source authentic, reclaimed local killas and lay it matching its natural geological bed to ensure seamless, long-lasting structural repairs.
Unlike the layered beds of killas, Cornish granite is an igneous rock—a complex, crystalline structure of quartz, feldspar, and mica forged in ancient magma chambers. It is incredibly dense and handles weathering differently than sedimentary stone. Understanding this geological difference is vital; granite requires entirely different pointing profiles, tamping techniques, and mortar ratios to manage coastal moisture.
Modern Portland cement is the enemy of traditional masonry. It creates an impervious barrier that traps water and forces damp into the home's interior. We use traditional, highly breathable lime putty. By mixing our own hot lime and mature putties, we allow the ancient stone to naturally "breathe" and manage ambient moisture just as the original master builders intended.
Authentic mortar relies just as much on the sand as it does the lime. We meticulously match our aggregates to the original historic mortar. By identifying the correct local river or pit sands, we ensure the shape and mineral content of the grains provide maximum structural strength, vapor permeability, and an exact aesthetic color match to the existing historic fabric.
Cob is an iconic historic building method in the South West. Successful cob restoration requires a precise subsoil matrix—the exact ratio of clay, aggregate, and agricultural straw. We identify and source the correct local earth required to patch and stitch historic cob walls, ensuring the new material bonds perfectly without slumping, shrinking, or cracking over time.
Extracted from the Delabole quarry for over 600 years, this specific slate's natural cleavage planes make it the premier choice for traditional Cornish roofing. We restore complex scantle roofs—where random-sized slates are bedded in a lime 'porridge' and hung with hand-cleft oak pegs—preserving the authentic skyline and weathering capabilities of historic Cornwall.
Ensure your property is restored using the correct historic materials.