S Preece & Sons

S Preece & Sons are specialists in the restoration and repair of historic stucco work. As artisanal craftsmen we have extensive experience of working on a wide variety of buildings and facades; from Grade I country houses to some of the country’s most prestigious London townhouses, and everything in between.

Stucco is the name given to the application of a lime or Roman cement-based render or mastic to a masonry substrate, often to imitate that of ashlar stonework – which in its day cost a quarter of the price. Stucco was used extensively from the late 18thC right through to the end of the 19thC and was it was at its peak in the Regency era of the early 19thC – achieving great status through the likes of John Nash and his contemporaries.

When cared for, stucco is capable of lasting centuries whilst also exhibiting (and retaining) exquisite decorative detail – much like natural stone counterpart. Whether scored smooth or rusticated, its use as a render is only as successful as the decoration and care of the built fabric generally; as well as the knowledge of its ingredients, its original design and its method of application. Many of the issues surround stucco today arise from incompatible or unsympathetic repairs which have not taken this into account.

Stuart Preece and his team of time served craftsmen have been involved in the repair, restoration and reproduction of stucco fronted façades throughout London & the Midlands, having repaired and reproduced countless damaged, neglected or lost architectural mouldings and features to external stucco façades. S Preece & Sons have an extensive catalogue of mouldings and profiles which they have acquired from an extensive working portfolio – including interior cornices and external enrichments, ranging from the 17thC to the present day.

Over the last thirty-six years Stuart and his team of time served craftsmen have been involved with a wide variety of stucco styles ranging from Georgian & high Regency, right through to avant-garde London Victorian. Projects frequently involve complex and highly skilled repair work to the facades and applied detail of historic buildings; such as that of ashlar and rusticated as well as well as plain fronted ashlar facades with incised block markings. Projects often also include the conservation and repair of more complex applications; such as that of porticoes, pediments, cornices, pilasters, columns and applied ornamentation. All work is carefully considered with the faithful reproduction of textures and accurate matching of colours forming a large part of company ethos.

Almost all of the work carried out is produced in the time honoured, traditional manner involving the running of in situ mouldings and the casting of decorative items and enrichments from purpose made moulds in our workshop in rural Shropshire. Using a wide variety of traditional materials and techniques it is possible to produce almost all types of stucco; through the use of bespoke aggregates, Roman cement, natural cements, natural hydraulic limes, Portland cements and high calcium fat limes.

Stuart and his craftsmen are well versed in working alongside local authorities such as Westminster City Council and have solid, established rapport with conservation bodies such as the National Trust, English Heritage, Historic England and the IHBC. S Preece & Sons are also closely involved with the Birmingham Institute of Conservation, the Buildings lime forum & the Worshipful Company of Plasterers - where they are regularly called upon to give seminars and practical demonstrations in the use of traditional building materials.

With projects ranging from private houses and interiors to that of commercial exteriors and specialist reproductions - S Preece & Sons are able to offer a complete resource for your project in-house, including surveying, reports, advice, design, modelling, mould-work and of course installation. S Preece & Sons also provide on-site condition surveys in coordination with our network of experienced conservation Architects and independent craftsmen, as well as workshop based an analysis of existing stucco mortar in order to identify its content and formulate repair methodologies.

With broad coverage of SW, NW & Central London, S Preece & Sons operate throughout mainland UK and Ireland.