Lime-rendered running moulds - a comparative study of two different methods described in building crafts literature

During the 19th century, architects decorated their buildings extensively, especially the facades. Mouldings of render and plaster rather then stone where being produced in a large scale. This was probably due to the increasing prices of materials and the low costs of labour. By still giving the same aesthetic look as “ real mouldings” carved out of stone, the work could be done cheaper and faster. The craft blossomed and the techniques where perfected by the excellent craftsmen of the time. But as times change, so did the aesthetic preferences, and by the 1930s and the introduction of modernism, the craft slowly started to wither. Due to low demands the natural order of passing secrets and techniques of the trade from master to pprentice was eventually almost cut. Today we see a great number of buildings with plastered mouldings in need of restoration, with many more to come in the near future. Since non of the old craftsmen are alive, we have look to the written litterateur for answers. When studying the litterature two different methods have been lifted, both argued to be the method to use. The aim of this study is to compare the two different methods described in the litterature to see if the final result differs. Focus is to see if the time from start to finish varies when given the same aesthetic result since time is of great importance in the building industry today. Other factors that are interesting to compare is workability, waterabsorption and ability to withstand cracks. The study is done through practical experiments where the different methods are tested in situ inside one of the training facilities of the University of Gothenburg in Mariestad. In the end, neither method was better. In fact the same results were obtained.Uppsats för avläggande av filosofie kandidatexamen i Kulturvård, Bygghantverk, 22,5 hp 201