Lancaster Lime Works

Lancaster Lime Works Manufacturer and Distributor of lime mortar, lime stucco/plaster, lime wash and lime for historic ho Lime putty is the binder for all of our products.

Located in Lancaster, Pa., Lancaster Lime Works is a manufacturer of lime putty and lime putty mortars for repointing and historic masonry preservation of all types. Lime putty can be made into mortar, stucco, plaster, and limewash (whitewash), and is also a key ingredient in historic paints. Lancaster Lime Works is also a reliable source of information and training related to the installation of

lime putty, lime mortar, limewash, and all questions relating to historic masonry restoration and historic preservation in general. Lime putty mortar is very different from hydraulic lime mortar and Portland cement mortar, mainly because it is made from pure calcium carbonate with no clays, silica, or other impurities that give them the ability to “set” under water. Lime putty mortar is much more flexible and long lasting than hydraulic lime mortar or Portland cement. It is the ideal choice for repointing brick and stone because it is softer than the masonry units that it is bedding. Therefore it can flex with building movement, and can even heal itself (called “autogenous healing”). Because of the flexibility and breathability, Lancaster Lime Works highly recommends its products for stucco applications. Lime putty stucco can be direct applied to brick or masonry substrates, as well as wood lath and straw bales. It can also be used successfully in interior applications, especially where moisture may be present in small amounts. It is breathable, so it does not trap moisture in walls and other structures, eliminating mold and mildew problems that are often associated with modern repointing and modern plasters/drywall. Lancaster Lime Works takes pride in producing and selling truly historic products for masonry restoration nationwide, and providing training in the proper installation methods for all of our products. Installation of lime putty products is not difficult; rather it is a very workable and forgiving material. Lime putty installation is very different in every way from conventional masonry materials, and knowing how to install it is critical to a successful installation. Lancaster Lime Works is the source for retail and wholesale lime putty and lime putty mortar, stucco, plaster, limewash, and historic paints. Lancaster Lime Works can assist specifiers with specifications for historic building and restoration projects.

💧 WATER 💧 Specifically- Carbonic Acid (which is created from water and carbon dioxide), is the destroyer of all things m...
06/08/2026

💧 WATER 💧
Specifically- Carbonic Acid (which is created from water and carbon dioxide), is the destroyer of all things masonry related - modern masonry as well as historic masonry.

The building in this picture isn’t that old. But due to a leaking downspout connection (as shown in the zoomed in picture) we have a lot of damage.

Basically the water (carbonic acid), is dissolving this Portland cement mortar and creating an environment for an entire ecosystem of moss and algae.

Water is not a respecter of mortars. Water will eventually destroy:
💥Portland Cement Mortars Type S, N and O etc.
💥NHL Mortars of all sorts
💥Carbonating Non-hydraulic Air Lime Mortars

Keep your building dry as much as possible.

The Organic Mulch ProblemOrganic mulch (wood chips, bark, etc.) decomposes through microbial activity, releasing signifi...
06/02/2026

The Organic Mulch Problem

Organic mulch (wood chips, bark, etc.) decomposes through microbial activity, releasing significant amounts
of CO₂. Rainwater percolating through the mulch absorbs this extra CO₂, forming additional carbonic acid that can slowly dissolve lime mortar.

More importantly, organic mulch holds moisture like a sponge when placed directly against the foundation. This leads to high moisture levels at the foundation level, the moisture is absorbed into the porous lime mortar - which dramatically accelerates acid dissolution, salt crystallization, and biological growth. The result is the same pattern of interior salt deposits and structural mortar failure seen with prolonged w**d killer use.

Signup with for this Saturday morning class where we will have an in depth discussion about water and historic masonry





🔥Before and after pics! 💥 Combining skill and our amazing lime plaster is a recipe for timeless beauty!Lancaster Lime Wo...
06/02/2026

🔥Before and after pics! 💥

Combining skill and our amazing lime plaster is a recipe for timeless beauty!

Lancaster Lime Works naturally healthy lime plaster contains nothing but lime, sand and water. It takes real skill for this level of work- but with practice comes beauty!

Our website is a wealth of knowledge and information offered for free to the world of people who demand natural products. We hope you are taking advantage of it!!!

Throwback to a historic restoration project 🏠🔨🧱🧱 Chimneys need a good hat!Properly capping a historic chimney isn’t just...
05/31/2026

Throwback to a historic restoration project 🏠🔨🧱🧱 Chimneys need a good hat!

Properly capping a historic chimney isn’t just about looks — it’s essential for protection and longevity. In these pictures we installed a custom-cut stone cap on this beautiful old brick chimney.

Don’t rely on a mortar crown - they won’t last

The stone cap:
✅ Provides an adequate drip edge on all four sides to ensure water drips free from the chimney
✅ Seals the top against rain, snow, and moisture that can crack mortar and damage the flue
✅ It’s the freeze/thaw cycle that destroys the masonry.
✅ Heavy enough that the wind won’t blow it off
✅ Keep it dry

Historic homes deserve detailed historic-level care. Never skip the cap — your chimney will thank you!

RoofingLife PreservationMatters

Let’s talk real structural masonry 🪨The mortar between stones and bricks isn’t “glue” holding everything together. It’s ...
05/28/2026

Let’s talk real structural masonry 🪨
The mortar between stones and bricks isn’t “glue” holding everything together. It’s a cushion — it spreads the load evenly across the stones.
The real strength of the wall comes from the mason’s skill: carefully fitting and interlocking each piece so the weight transfers properly through the entire structure.
When done right, there are no weak pressure points. No cracking under the building’s weight. Just solid, timeless integrity.
That’s why you can even build dry-laid stone walls (no mortar at all) that stand for centuries — as long as every stone is perfectly placed and the load is distributed across the full face of each piece.
The Romans proved it. Some of their dry-laid structures are still standing today.
This principle is everything when it comes to proper historical masonry restoration.
Here’s a dry-laid stone wall we built years ago. No mortar. Just skill, patience, and beautiful stonework. Still looking strong and stunning.
What do you think — would you trust a dry-laid wall like this on your property?

Our premixed lime putty finish plaster is super white and makes a absolutely beautiful plastered wall.  This is a snippe...
05/26/2026

Our premixed lime putty finish plaster is super white and makes a absolutely beautiful plastered wall.

This is a snippet from a workshop with the Master Richard Barrow explaining and demonstrating in detail how to apply it.

Does your foundation wall look like these pictures?  Has the moisture monster attacked your home?Saturday morning 11 AM ...
05/22/2026

Does your foundation wall look like these pictures? Has the moisture monster attacked your home?

Saturday morning 11 AM June 6th Jon Owens from Lancaster Lime Works will be teaching another 4 hour in-depth workshop about how water affects historical masonry. And providing practical steps to stop these moisture issues.

DM Emily to sign up for an affordable class

As one of the workshop attendees said after a recent class “Water is a bugger”!

Water (and salt) is the culprit for almost all historic masonry failure- therefore we must focus on water before talking about or making any repairs.

Our July four day workshop only has one space left and the August workshop is half filled.  While our primary focus in t...
05/20/2026

Our July four day workshop only has one space left and the August workshop is half filled.

While our primary focus in the workshops is plastering with carbonating lime putty, we will cover the basics of pointing with lots of time addressing the basic chemistry of lime. Signup is directly from our website.

Although we have held lots of two and three day workshops throughout the years with 12-20 students each class - we have found it is just not enough time. This year we have opted to the 4 day format with less students to give extra time for everyone.

Although the cost is higher because of the format, we are confident the attendees will learn more and have more time for practice. Maybe we will bump it to 5 or more days in the future.

In all honesty, it takes a lifetime commitment to become a very skilled traditional lime plasterer.

Pictures are of some past workshops.

Flashback Thursday (if that’s even a thing) A few pic of a second floor addition we did for a customer many years ago.  ...
05/14/2026

Flashback Thursday (if that’s even a thing)

A few pic of a second floor addition we did for a customer many years ago. This customer did a major home remodel and hired us for the stonework needed for the second floor.

This was done using our carbonating lime putty and sand from the creek that was in the property.

Back in the day, cameras were not very common to have on the jobsite. So pictures of past projects are not very plentiful.

❤️💥❤️ We love customer supplied pictures ❤️💥❤️Follow  to keep up-to-date on her projects!     She is busy so does not po...
05/13/2026

❤️💥❤️ We love customer supplied pictures ❤️💥❤️

Follow to keep up-to-date on her projects! She is busy so does not post as many pictures of her beautiful work as she could - so we value the pictures she does provide!

Joelle is using our aged lime putty and sand to mix her own base coats and traditional finish plaster for the top coat on this project. Add the best lime, the perfect blend of aggregate and her fantastic skill and the results speak for themselves!

Finding skilled and qualified plasterers in the USA capable of this professional level of skilled work is a constant challenge.

Just like learning to play an instrument, it takes many years of consistent practice to gain the level of skill that Joelle has.

Address

1251 Beaver Valley Pike, Willow Street
Willow Street, PA
17584

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 3pm
Wednesday 9am - 3pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 3pm

Telephone

+17172077014

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