SPAB Technical Note. The Need for Old Buildings to 'Breathe'
The Need for Old Buildings to ‘Breathe’ is the title of a Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB) Technical Advice Note and was written by Philip Hughes BSc, MRICS (Chartered Building Surveyor) and SPAB Scholar.
This document gives an excellent explanation of the differences between historical construction methods and materials and modern methods and materials. It describes extremely well the concept of 'breathing' materials, in the context of traditional construction and how their characteristics help prolong the life of historical buildings. It further describes issues relating to the introduction modern or impervious materials in the context of historical buildings and the issues this can cause.
It describes different applications from external render and pointing to internal plaster and paints as well as the nuances and gradations in the breathability of construction materials. It is not only a brief but invaluable resource for homeowners, designers and contractors dealing with historical buildings but also those looking to create modern buildings from natural or breathable materials.
Follow the link for further information about The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB) and here to download the Technical Advice Note 'The Need for Old Buildings to ‘Breathe’'.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Conservation officer.
- Conservation.
- Defects in stonework.
- Dry hydrate lime mortar.
- Finding stone to conserve historic buildings.
- Hemp lime construction: A guide to building with hemp lime composites.
- High lime low alkali glass.
- Hot-mixed mortars: the new lime revival.
- Hydraulic lime.
- Hydrated lime.
- IHBC articles.
- Lime concrete.
- Lime mortar.
- Lime plaster.
- Lime putty mortar.
- Lime run-off.
- Masonry.
- Mortar.
- Mortar analysis for specifiers.
- Non hydraulic lime.
- Portland cement.
- Putty lime.
- Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings.
- Soda-lime glass.
- Sourcing stone to repair Exeter Cathedral.
- The Institute of Historic Building Conservation.
- The use of lime mortar in building conservation.
- Types of mortar.
Featured articles and news
Timber in Construction Roadmap
Ambitious plans from the Government to increase the use of timber in construction.
ECA digital series unveils road to net-zero.
Retrofit and Decarbonisation framework N9 launched
Aligned with LHCPG social value strategy and the Gold Standard.
Competence framework for sustainability
In the built environment launched by CIC and the Edge.
Institute of Roofing members welcomed into CIOB
IoR members transition to CIOB membership based on individual expertise and qualifications.
Join the Building Safety Linkedin group to stay up-to-date and join the debate.
Government responds to the final Grenfell Inquiry report
A with a brief summary with reactions to their response.
A brief description and background to this new February law.
Everything you need to know about building conservation and the historic environment.
NFCC publishes Industry White Paper on Remediation
Calling for a coordinated approach and cross-departmental Construction Skills Strategy to manage workforce development.
'who blames whom and for what, and there are three reasons for doing that: legal , cultural and moral"
How the Home Energy Model will be different from SAP
Comparing different building energy models.
Mapping approaches for standardisation.
UK Construction contract spending up at the start of 2025
New construction orders increase by 69 percent on December.
Preparing for the future: how specifiers can lead the way
As the construction industry prepares for the updated home and building efficiency standards.
Embodied Carbon in the Built Environment
A practical guide for built environment professionals.
Updating the minimum energy efficiency standards
Background and key points to the current consultation.
Heritage building skills and live-site training.