Word

Lime Mortar

Variant

Kalkmörtel · Malta di calce

Region

Type

Materials

Definition

Building material made of lime and sand, used to bond stones and reinforce walls. An essential material in historical construction.

Description

Lime mortar was one of the most important building materials in historical European construction. Made from a mixture of lime, sand, and water, it provided flexibility and breathability to masonry walls. At Oxford in 1682, records show that lime mortar was specifically applied to reinforce the inner face of the north wall, demonstrating its structural importance. The material was valued for its ability to accommodate slight movements in buildings without cracking.

Application of lime mortar in wall construction.

Variations

En

Lime MortarEngland, Oxford

"Lime mortar was applied to reinforce the inner face of the north wall."

Bodleian Library, MS "Building Accounts"

fol. 212, line 18

Date: 1682

Source: Building accounts of the college works at Oxford, recording the reinforcement of the north wall

Co-occurrence

Stone

66%

Sand

44%

Plaster

22%

Vault

11%

Timber

De

KalkmörtelGermany, München

"Der Kalkmörtel wurde frisch angerührt für die ausbesserung der südlichen mauer."

Bayerisches Hauptstaatsarchiv, Bauakten 411

linie 52

Date: 1601-1609

Source: Building file on the repair of the southern wall, with the preparation of lime mortar

Co-occurrence

Mauer (Wall)

71%

Putz (Plaster)

47%

Stein (Stone)

33%

Gerüst (Scaffolding)

14%

It

Malta di calceItaly, Roma

"La malta di calce venne stesa in due passate per consolidare il paramento interno."

Archivio del Vicariato

cassa 88, foglio 134, riga 27

Date: 1650-1660

Source: Record of works on the church fabric, with the consolidation of the inner facing in lime mortar

Co-occurrence

Calce (Lime)

82%

Intonaco (Plaster)

53%

Muratura (Masonry)

41%

Sabbia (Sand)

19%

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