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To repair and re-point, or to render (Read 3709 times)
Ben101
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To repair and re-point, or to render
Feb 9th, 2017, 10:34am
 
Hi,

I've recently purchased a worn-down 1860's red brick house, to renovate, extend, and turn into a large family house.

My issue/question is what to do with the exterior. We love the red brick, but it is in a poor state. It will need repairing and re-pointing for sure. It is also a solid brick wall (no cavity). Would it be better to render the outside and add insulation? For the new extension too, if we were to keep the red brick, would we be able to get the same bricks? I don't want the extension to look different from the existing house.

My preference would be to keep it red brick, but I'm not sure if will be realistic.

Any feedback would be very appreciated.

Thanks,

Ben
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woodsmith
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Re: To repair and re-point, or to render
Reply #1 - Feb 10th, 2017, 9:28am
 
I'm wondering if lime mortar was originally used for the bricks and then someone has subsequently pointed them with cement mortar which can cause all sorts of problems. If so the cement mortar would need to be replaced with lime mortar which is a bit of a specialist job as proper lime mortar has no cement in it.

If you want to build an extension that blends in then you could source reclaimed bricks to match.

Adding an external rendered insulation would give a lot of advantages, solid walls are not that compatible with modern living and apart from keeping the house warmer it would prevent some of the damp, condensation and mould problems that I often see in older houses. To do it properly though you may need to replace the windows.

Only you can decide as regards the appearance and brick walls can normally be repaired relatively easily but I would lean toward getting the walls insulated especially of you intent to live there for a long time.

Try getting some quotes for each option before you decide and for the insulation it would be worth seeing if you were eligible for a grant which may make it a more attractive proposition.
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Natedog
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Re: To repair and re-point, or to render
Reply #2 - Feb 12th, 2017, 12:47pm
 
woodsmith wrote on Feb 10th, 2017, 9:28am:
To do it properly though you may need to replace the windows


external insulation is something i'm hoping to do overthe next couple of years.  what about the current windows might make them need replacing?  (or not need replacing for that matter)
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woodsmith
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Re: To repair and re-point, or to render
Reply #3 - Feb 13th, 2017, 8:11am
 
Natedog wrote on Feb 12th, 2017, 12:47pm:
woodsmith wrote on Feb 10th, 2017, 9:28am:
To do it properly though you may need to replace the windows


external insulation is something i'm hoping to do overthe next couple of years.  what about the current windows might make them need replacing?  (or not need replacing for that matter)


When they return the insulation in the window reveal, or just render over the brick face, they can end up part covering the window making it very difficult to remove in the future.

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Natedog
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Re: To repair and re-point, or to render
Reply #4 - Feb 13th, 2017, 8:09pm
 
gotcha  Cheesy  makes sense i suppose.  ideally i'd be swapping the old tatty UPVC at the same time (i hate plastic windows with the passion of a man possessed) but the wallet wouldn't be able to take that sort of hit after paying for the insulation
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londonman
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Re: To repair and re-point, or to render
Reply #5 - Feb 24th, 2017, 9:21pm
 
Don't forget.

As soon as you start messing about rendering an external wall then Building Control may jump in and insist that you insulate it - either externally or internally
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Would all Third Party Apologists kindly mind their own business .....
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