The beauty of materials

Tim Moulding of traditional builders R. Moulding & Co explains the relationship between good-quality, well-chosen materials and beautiful buildings

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SINCE 1798, R. Moulding & Co has been employing traditional craftsmanship and materials to create some of Britain's most beautiful houses. For the past six years, the company has been included in COUNTRY LIFE's Top 100 list of Britain's best craftspeople.

Why do materials play such a vital role in a sensitive restoration?

Every successful project is a balancing act between aesthetics, heritage and the demands of 21st-century living. Both new and reclaimed materials have a role to play in any project. It's essential that materials are sympathetic to the original construction of a building, respecting both its period and the vernacular style. A new stone floor, for example, should use a local material, not a cheaper, less appropriate alternative from beyond our shores. Not only does this minimise the carbon footprint, it will also complement the look and feel of building.

However, this isn't only an aesthetic and environmental consideration; in old buildings, the use of correct materials plays an important role in the management of damp.

Where possible, is it always better to use reclaimed materials than new?