RESTORATION OF FACADES AND LEDGES

In this chapter we want to illustrate the methodology of the restoration of facades and, in this first part, the method of searching for any hidden plaster by successive layers worthy of being preserved.As a basic operation for a great restoration of facades and ledges, this is fundamental, not only for the facades for which there are historical evidences about the presence of paintings, but for all the facades of the buildings of the Old Town, also in order to find the original color of the building.Today a proper operation of restoration of facades, provides the perfect focus on the plaster of historical importance even if the presence of mural painting is not necessarily and, in the missing parts of the facade, the use of the so-called "neutrals", executed with the same technique of primitive plaster.These "neutrals" have to be marked and should not be confused with the original part and at the same time they must be used to make this one more evident. In particular, in the case of simple historical color, it is advisable to apply a plaster with the same characteristics as the original.It 's always correct, before applying the plaster, to make tests on site and in major cases by specialized laboratories in order to ascertain the dose and the nature of the ingredients of the mortar. In general, it is advisable to use air lime mortar and marble powder in order to obtain a wall surface with the same color shades of the plaster that you intend to preserve.On this new wall surface, the façade color can be applied using the same painting technique and the same colorings, but looking for a slightly lower shade than the original one.

S. POLO PRIMA/DOPO
S. POLO