Hicks Plastering

Hicks Plastering is a well-established business based in North East Scotland, with over 35 years of experience in the field. We specialise in providing a comprehensive range of plastering, rendering, and traditional masonry restoration services. Our team is highly skilled in the use of traditional lime-based renders, plasters, and paints, making us the go-to choice for the restoration of historic, listed, and traditional buildings.

At Hicks Plastering, we are committed to innovation and excellence. We have developed unique methods of applying lime mortars that significantly improve both the quality and efficiency of our services. By combining traditional craftsmanship with modern techniques, we ensure that every project is completed to the highest possible standard. Our services include stone cleaning, lime pointing, lime harling, lime rendering, lime washing, limecrete floors, lime plastering, cornice work, and lath work.

Whether you are looking to preserve the authenticity of a historic structure or enhance the aesthetic appeal of a traditional building, our team has the expertise to deliver exceptional results. We invite you to explore our website to learn more about our projects and services.

Lime Harling

Lime harling is a traditional exterior coating for masonry buildings, and for good reason. It is a mixture of lime and sand which is either hand or spray applied to create a beautiful, textured, and durable wall finish. Technically, the texture of lime harling creates a larger surface area which allows the wind to catch the surface, making it an ideal choice for exposed buildings.

We have successfully applied thousands of square metres of exterior lime based mortars, renders and traditional lime harling throughout Scotland. From Grade A listed buildings and Churches to humble cottages, lime harling has proven to be a popular choice for a variety of building types.

One of our most notable projects was the replication and replacement of the unusual original pigmented mussel shell Lime Harling at Blairs Steading, Altyre Estate for Historic Scotland. The Glasgow School of Art now occupies this grade A listed building, which was designed by the Architect Archibald Simpson around 1840.

Stone Cleaning

At Hicks Plastering, we also offer a complete stone cleaning and repair service. Using careful preparation methods in conjunction with our specialist cleaning and repair techniques, we can restore the appearance of your masonry to its former glory.

One of our most notable stone cleaning projects was the Muckle Cross in Elgin, made from the local Clashach sandstone. The Muckle Cross is one of the oldest monuments in Moray, Scotland, and had been suffering from the effects of carbon sulphation which was damaging the face of the stone. We were able to successfully clean and repair the stone, restoring its appearance and ensuring its longevity.

Traditional Lime Pointing

We also specialise in traditional lime pointing, a technique which uses lime mortar to fill the joints between stones or bricks. This technique has been used for centuries in the construction of traditional buildings, and provides a number of benefits over modern cement-based pointing.

Lime mortar is softer and more flexible than cement, which allows it to move with the building and accommodate any slight movements without cracking. It also allows the building to breathe, which is essential for the preservation of historic and traditional buildings.

Ecological Construction

In addition to our traditional masonry restoration services, we also offer ecological construction services. This includes the use of traditional hot-mixed lime for new builds and ecological construction such as straw bale houses.