Conservation & Heritage Issue 50 Winter 2025/Spring 2026 - Flipbook - Page 45
Think About
with the advent of modern paints. Today linseed acreage is
on the increase and high quality raw cold-pressed linseed oil
is being produced in northern Europe, Canada and in the
United States. Furthermore, a combination of traditional
European skill, ancient wisdom, modern production
techniques and cooperation with farmers, has enabled the
development of a new generation of linseed oil paints. These
contain no solvents or poisonous pigments. They do however
last a very long time……and they can be green.
As they say in Sweden ’we have to look back if we are to
see the future’ and we must therefore ‘rediscover the ancient
wisdom.’
Never forget if it’s your property ultimately, it’s your choice. If
you are in a hurry and cost is the primary determinant, then
linseed oil paint may not be for you. If you are aware of the
impacts, benefits and limitations of your choice then at least
you have taken a considered choice.
Consider why and when to paint
What is it that you want to achieve? Protection, decoration…
It is very rare for external joinery to have decayed and
deteriorated to such an extent that they are beyond repair.
By far and the most common problem areas are low down on
the jambs, the cills and the horizontal glazing bars and putty.
These are the elements that take most of the weather and water
can sit on horizontal/ flat surfaces. Cutting out and splicing
in new timber, preferably of a similar quality, requires some
skill and finding a true craftsperson is essential. Arguments
for replacement normally focus on speed, cost and thermal
improvement. It is frustrating to observe how workers today
seem to rely so much on power tools (which create noise &
dust whilst consuming electricity) and products pumped
from a plastic tube made with solvents, so they dry quickly
and harden so much. True craftspeople have knowledge of
and use hand tools as well as plan in time to create strong
timber joints, dowels etc.
Kevin Davies is a chartered architect registered with the RIBA &
ARB. He lives in Devon and specialises in work to listed buildings
and sustainable development projects in the UK and the developing
world. He provides expert advice to conservation specialists,
craftsman and artisans alike.
Tel: + 44 (0) 1769 581765
info@swedishlinseedpaint.co.uk
www.swedishlinseedpaint.co.uk
Allbäck Linseed Oil Products Distributed in the UK by
Assessing condition – replacement or repair & restoration?
Part of the joy (and pain) of undertaking restoration work
is uncovering the history of a building. There’s often no
certainty what is hidden or behind a plastered wall or
ceiling, buildings reveal their alterations and changes that
have occurred over time. Concealed openings can be found,
different construction techniques used, old newspapers or
early wall papers and decorative paint uncovered. The same
applies for your windows and doors. You can literally strip
back layers of history (often thick paint) to find a beautiful
quality soft, or hardwood frame protected from the elements
for centuries. You may of course uncover very rotten, damp
and decaying timber as well.
AS USED BY:
CHÂTEAU DE VERSAILLES
AMALIENBORG PALACE
HOLKHAM ESTATE
Should this be the case it is imperative to understand the
cause of the problem. It is very possible the existing surface
coating has trapped moisture beneath it, water can enter
through cracks in the surface (paint/ putty failure) or may be
caused by water tracking from above through render cracks
(cementitious render is more likely to crack), failed pointing
in masonry or in some instances rising damp. All causes
of water/ damp ingress need rectifying and whilst natural
materials can breathe, absorbing and releasing moisture,
there are limits to how much the fabric can ‘cope’ with. Old
properties were built and used with significant amounts of
uncontrolled ventilation and a lot of ‘air changes’ which
kept moisture levels acceptable…when the fire was burning
brightly!
NORWICH CASTLE
INTERIOR & EXTERIOR paints │ WAXEs
OILS │ SOAP │ PUTTY │ tools & ADVICE
01769 581765 │ info@swedishlinseedpaint.co.uk
Closing Remarks
www.swedishlinseedpaint.co.uk
We are fortunate that, although in decline since the 1960’s,
the linseed oil pressing industry did not completely vanish
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Conservation & Heritage Journal
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