The effects of the marine environment on the built environment of Llandudno: Comparing the effects from coastline to inland properties

Abstract

This paper looks at the impact of a marine environment upon building deterioration. While focusing upon the Welsh seaside resort of Llandudno, its findings could be applied to other coastal locations. Review of existing literature establishes the factors that impact upon a marine environment, such as temperature, wind speed and weather type. The changes in the pattern of weather over the last century are noted, due to many of Llandudno’s buildings being designed and built to withstand different conditions to those currently being encountered. The main mechanisms of deterioration due to a marine environment, the aerosol effect involving airborne salts and the crystallisation of those salts within building materials are explained. The reduction in the impact of these phenomena the farther a building is located from the shoreline is discussed. Literature is tested by means of four building surveys of buildings in differing locations within Llandudno. The buildings are all built for tourist accommodation within a 40-year period, 1870–1910. The surveys are presented as pictorial schedules of condition, including tests for the presence of marine salts. Findings support the literature in relation to distance from the sea. Issues such as shortened maintenance schedules for marine facing properties and the inappropriate use of impervious building materials are discussed. The paper concludes that particularly with the older building stock, it is important to be aware of the changing impact of the marine environment, but through appropriate maintenance cycles and the use of appropriate repair materials the buildings of Llandudno can be adequately protected from the impact of its marine environment.