Why You Need to Use Breathable Materials in Historic Buildings
Table of Contents
Breathability: Old vs. New
As an architectural practice deeply rooted in Cornwall’s rich building heritage, our team at Rowett Architecture often encounters the challenge of integrating modern materials into older structures. Older buildings, particularly those built before the 1940s, were designed with water permeability in mind. These buildings rely on breathable materials that allow moisture to evaporate naturally. In contrast, modern construction techniques focus on creating watertight buildings using non-permeable materials, including various plastics.
This fundamental difference in approach can lead to significant issues when newer, non-breathable materials are applied to older buildings. The consequences can be severe, often resulting in rapid decay of the original fabric. Therefore, a delicate balance is vital for preserving the character of our beloved Cornish buildings while ensuring they meet contemporary needs and standards.
- Why Non-Breathable Materials Cause Problems
- Moisture Trapping: Older walls naturally contain moisture from various sources, including ground moisture (such as rising damp) and air humidity (such as rain and sea air). Non-breathable materials can trap this moisture within the walls.
- Salt Accumulation: Over time, older buildings can accumulate salts from various sources. Rising damp is the most common, but sea spray, water ingress through leaks, or pollution from chimneys also contribute. When combined with trapped moisture, these salts can cause significant damage.
- Irreversible Damage: Modern materials act as moisture barriers, trapping moisture within buildings and leading to accumulation inside the wall fabric. The combination of trapped moisture and accumulated salts can lead to irreversible degradation of the original building fabric.
You can read our article about salt damage and its treatment here.
The Importance of Breathability
Restoring breathability to an old building can significantly improve its condition by reducing moisture content. However, it’s important to note that removing non-breathable materials doesn’t reverse the damage—especially when it comes to salt-related issues. If damage is already present, you must both fix the problem at its root by improving the breathability of the building, and address the damage already done with careful repair and renovations.
Our Approach at Rowett Architecture
As a local architectural practice, our mission is to preserve Cornwall’s heritage while building a resilient and sustainable future for our communities. We understand that spaces need to adapt and are more than just functional—they inspire, nurture, and support our future generations. Our work shapes the environment in which people live, work, and play, and we take great pride in the lasting impact our architecture has on our communities.
As part of that mission, we advocate for using traditional, breathable materials when renovating or working with older buildings. This typically means:
- Avoiding cement and plastic membranes
- Opting for breathable lime alternatives for re-plastering and re-rendering works
- Carefully considering each project’s unique needs and the building’s historical context
By respecting the original construction methods and materials, we can help ensure that Cornwall’s beautiful old buildings continue to stand strong for generations to come, while still meeting modern living standards.
Remember, when it comes to older buildings, breathability is key. It’s not about preserving the past in situ—it’s about ensuring a sustainable future for our architectural heritage.
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