If your house or building was built before 1900, chances are it was constructed with lime mortar. Lime has a long and proven history. We are not really sure of its origins, however, we know the Greeks, Romans, and the Far East all used lime mortar extensively.

Lime is made by heating a calcium carbonate to approximately 900 degrees. This drives off the carbon dioxide, leaving lump lime after the burn. By exposing the lump lime to water, this produces the lime putty. This process is called slaking. The best limes are aged for many months, or even years, until they are ready to use.

This entire process remained completely unchanged until the 1860’s, with the advent of Portland cement. Portland cement was not produced in the United States until the 1870’s. Premixed mortars were available in the 1930’s, making modern mortar easy to use and available to everyone. Therefore, basically in 65 years, 4000 years of proven technology was lost.

The lime mortar renaissance began in the 1970’s in the United Kingdom, moved to Canada in the 1980’s, and drifted down to the United States in the 1990’s. Cochran’s Stone Masonry & Timberframing has always been devoted to respectful rehabilitation. As soon as workshops were available, Cochran’s Stone Masonry & Timberframing was involved. Books, seminars, and expert advice are all tools Cochran’s Stone Masonry & Timberframing has used to advance our knowledge of lime mortar. Cochran’s Stone Masonry & Timberframing has recently constructed a lime kiln and now produces its own high calcium lime putty. We use our lime on all of our restoration projects, and in the very near future, will have lime for purchase.