Lime Mortar vs. Portland Cement

Lime Mortar vs. Portland Cement

Last week, I posted these pictures on Instagram of a repointing project at Saint Andrews Church in Roanoke.  Our masonry partner, Dominion Traditional, is doing the work.  The church has not been repointed in over 120 years, and the original lime based pointing is due...
Building Materials in China

Building Materials in China

 Ever since visiting Yunnan province, in China, I keep thinking about all the long lasting materials they were using.  In China, all of the buildings were built with traditional materials: stone, plaster, tile, and wood.  (The modern high rises and mediterranean style...