Conservation architects, heritage trusts, and listed-building custodians
Non-abrasive laser cleaning for listed buildings and historic stonework
Preserving historic facades, monuments, and masonry requires a cleaning method that guarantees zero substrate damage. Traditional abrasive methods like sandblasting or chemical washing carry substantial risk of eroding delicate stone faces, erasing historical tool marks, and introducing harmful moisture.
Graffiti tags scratched into the historic stonework, Peterborough Cathedral.
Stonework fully restored after laser cleaning.
Featured Case Evidence
Peterborough Cathedral, Graffiti Removal
Preserving integrity, restoring clarity.
Our specialist laser cleaning service provides a non-contact, dry restoration method that is highly selective. By calibrating the laser pulse parameters, we target and vaporize soot, atmospheric pollution, carbon crusts, and biological staining while leaving the underlying historic stone completely undisturbed.
Why laser for heritage conservation?
Non-abrasive & contact-free
No mechanical friction, media impact, or scrubbing. The laser light interacts only with the contaminant, ensuring fragile stone details, carvings, and tool marks are preserved.
Dry process (zero moisture)
Unlike steam or pressure washing, our laser process uses no water, eliminating the risk of water ingress, efflorescence, freeze-thaw damage, or biological regrowth.
Chemical-free restoration
No acids, alkalis, or solvents are used. This avoids chemical residues leaching into the stonework and eliminates toxic runoffs into the ground or local drains.
Highly selective ablation
The laser parameters are precisely calibrated to the absorption threshold of the soot or carbon crust, ensuring it stops automatically when it reaches the historic stone.
A rigorous, documented approach.
Site Survey & Substrate Analysis
We identify the stone or masonry type, evaluate the biological or atmospheric contamination, and check the structural integrity of the substrate.
Conservation Trial Patches
We perform small, isolated trial patches in inconspicuous areas to calibrate the exact laser frequency, energy density, and speed, demonstrating the results to conservation officers.
Method Statement & RAMS
We issue a comprehensive Method Statement detailing the calibrated parameters, safety protocols, and waste capture logistics for client and planning approvals.
Laser Cleaning & Documentation
Our heritage-qualified operatives execute the cleaning with continuous quality checks. We provide a complete photographic and parameter log upon completion.
Heritage Compliance & Assurances
We provide the absolute documentation and assurance that conservation officers and heritage procurement teams demand.
- Comprehensive, conservation-ready RAMS and written Method Statements provided
- Full trial patch testing and documentation prior to contract commencement
- £5M Public Liability Insurance
Project Evidence
Frequently asked questions
- Will laser cleaning damage carved stone or polychrome surfaces?
- No. The laser parameters are calibrated to the exact ablation threshold of the carbon crust or soot. Once the contamination is vaporized, the laser light is reflected by the clean, historic stone underneath, meaning it cannot erode detail or delicate coatings beneath the grime.
- Do you carry out trial patches before starting work?
- Yes. We always carry out localized trial patches on inconspicuous areas of the building. This allows us to establish the correct laser settings, prove the safety of the method to conservation officers, and set the baseline standard for the rest of the project.
- Does laser cleaning use water or chemicals?
- No. Laser cleaning is a completely dry, chemical-free process. It does not introduce moisture into the building envelope (eliminating freeze-thaw risk) and creates no chemical runoff that could damage soil or waterways.
Discuss your project
Tell us about your heritage conservation project and we'll get back to you within one working day.