Bit of info on Rendering?

[hock]

we are renovating a barn and have come to the rendering. Its approx early 1700's and had the garage extension piece added in the 50-60's.

I am presuming this would be a lime render rather than cement, any ideas on whether it is?

If so what would be best (products/mix etc) to cover/re-render/patch areas?
would it also need a breathable paint?

pics below:

 

[thatbloke]

I would say it is lime, and if it isnt it's probably best to replace it with lime anyway because if the building was originally rendered it would have been lime.
There seems to have been a buzz during the later half of the last century where people would render old buildings in cement and as we are now finding out this practice has done more damage to old buildings than good.

Do you have any damp issues where the render has blown? What is the pointing like underneath (cement?) and more importantly what is your conservation officer advising, if you have taken them on board.

A good place to look around for advice on older buildings is here,

http://www.periodproperty.co.uk/forum/index.php

Not that the advice you find on here wont be sound though, I'm sure it will.

 

[jrplastering]

is that the original stone work under neith thier if it is are you not a little bit tempted to uncover it and clean it up it looks like its really nice.
im goin to have a punt that the render is not lime and its sand and cement the only reason i say this is because of the nice looking stone work underneith, i reckon the renders been added at a later time.
if you do render then yeah use lime but if the rest of the building has sand and cement then i cnt really see it doin its job unless you have the lot off and re do it.
think about takeing it all of though and cleanin the stone work up

 

[thatbloke]

is that the original stone work under neith thier if it is are you not a little bit tempted to uncover it and clean it up it looks like its really nice.
im goin to have a punt that the render is not lime and its sand and cement the only reason i say this is because of the nice looking stone work underneith, i reckon the renders been added at a later time.
if you do render then yeah use lime but if the rest of the building has sand and cement then i cnt really see it doin its job unless you have the lot off and re do it.
think about takeing it all of though and cleanin the stone work up

The stonework around the windows doesn't look too clever? If it wasnt originally rendered it's been done for a reason, but even old stone houses were originally rendered sometimes.

I would be more concerned about the guttering.