Plaster & Render

The discovery of remnants of historic plaster or render on buildings or structures dating back as far as Roman times or the Middle Ages is often a cause of wonderment and excitement

Such surfaces are vital to the understanding of a building's history and aesthetics, and as such it is very important to record and conserve them

SSHC has been developing techniques to stabilise, secure and protect often vulnerable fragments of lime plaster and render. An effective method of conservation must take into account the internal mechanisms which cause decay, voids and bulging. Intricate techniques are employed, including grouting, micro-pinning, mortar fillets to vulnerable edges and occasionally sheltercoating.

Historically, plaster and render regularly served not only an aesthetic but also a practical purpose in protecting the internal of external fabric of a building. In certain cases, where historic records and fragments exist, a decision is taken to reinstate the covering. We have successfully re-rendered entire towers, elevations and architectural details to redefine design intent and accentuate ornament.

On behalf of Thomas Ford and Partners we are very pleased to say that it has been a delight working with you, all of your colleagues and the client team on this project. The quality of the completed work is exceptional. And the positive and encouraging spirit brought into the project by everyone has carried us along beautifully.

Barbara Singer, Thomas Ford Partnership - All Saints Church, Snodland

As we approach final few days of our project it gives me enormous pleasure to say that the work has been completed to a very high standard and that as a team it has been a joy to work together.

Cdr R Dean - St John's Church, Yeovil

As Churchwarden, I am therefore writing on behalf of the PCC to congratulate you and to thank you most sincerely for the time and effort you have put into this project. The work done on the Monuments has transformed the Church, the Vestry most of all, and given us a place of worship we can be really proud.

Colonel Andrew Duncan LVO OBE - Fifehead Church, Dorset

I am very impressed with the level of detail provided in the report, both the Word document with the very helpful photographs, and the Excel document which is little short of a masterpiece.

Mark Taylor - Beech Tyldesley

Everyone is delighted with the way you have restored the church and full of praise for your team. It is quite a resurrection and a work of which you can be proud. It is a bonus that we have all so enjoyed working with your team. Many grateful thanks.

All Saints Church - Lullington, Frome

The phasing of the works you undertook was always going to be difficult and I would like to thank you for working with us on finding solutions. Jake Motley and James Routledge were great ambassadors for your business and were a credit to your company. It was a pleasure to see craftsmen taking such pride in the quality of their work.

David Snell - Kier Construction

Your work on the restoration of the Perseus and Andromeda Fountain at Witley Court is exceptional and was recognised by the judging panel as outstanding.

Brian Marsh OBE - Marsh Christian Trust

Thank you for all the efficiency and excellent quality which you have applied to this highly successful project.

Ian Angus, Carden & Godfrey - All Saints Church, Nuneham Courtenay

I feel I must say a very special thank you to you and your team not only from myself, but also on behalf of the PCC, Fabric Committee and the congregation and people of Podimore. The result is far beyond anything we had expected and has resulted in lots of positive comments. The tower is now restored as a local landmark and the focus of the village as it would have been when it was originally built.

J.C.R. Webb - Yeovilton with Podimore Parochial Church Council

Case Studies

Soho St Barnabas

The programme of work for the House of St Barnabas involved careful repairs to areas of the beautiful interior plasterwork in the entrance hall, main stair and the drawing room. It also included the taking down and cleaning of some of the crystal chandeliers.

St Mary's Church, Llanfair Kilgeddin

The secluded church of St Mary hides an extraordinary and rare scheme of sgraffito panels illustrating the Benedicte. The murals were executed in 1888 by the eminent Arts and Crafts artist Heywood Sumner and cover nearly every surface of the interior of the church.

Cannington Court, Somerset

South West Built Environment Awards, 2016: Cannington Court, Somerset received the Heritage Award (Kier Construction). SSHC were a specialist subcontractor and undertook a major cleaning and repair programme to the interior and exterior stonework, and internal plaster repairs to the cupola. Phase 2 has now been completed on the intriguing Grade I listed building at Cannington Court. This programme involved preliminary investigations and survey work alongside the programme of works on the external and internal stonework.