Limewash is an effective surface covering for a wide range of water-absorptive surfaces. Limewash
is vapour-permeable and allows a building to "breathe." Limewash is robust and, in the proper
number of coats, may consolidate and improve the condition of the underlying substrate. Limewash is
stable and long lasting. Limewash is beautiful in either its brilliant white, non-pigmented native state,
or when pigmented with compatible oxides to complement architectural colour schemes. Limewash
has always been, and remains, a most effective way to protect, maintain and beautify the surface of
historically-significant structures. Additionally, limewash can be an effective and innovative method to
finish more modern surfaces. Limewash is materially inexpensive and well suited to professional or
do-it-yourself application. Surface preparation for sound, previously limewashed surfaces is
straightforward, generally only requiring a washdown with water to remove accumulated dirt and
growth, or with a mixture of diluted vinegar to remove scale. Limestone is very popular and renowned in architecture, and has many samples around the world, particularly in North America and Europe, is made primarily of this material. So many manufactured buildings in Kingston, Ontario, Canada were manufactured from limestone, and it was named as Limestone City. Limestone is readily obtainable and comparatively easy to cut into blocks or more complicated carving. It is as well long-lasting and stands up well to any exposure.

Limestone is further used as a frontage on some of the skyscrapers, in way of thin plates for covering rather than solid blocks. In the United States, Indiana, and most remarkably the Bloomington area, has long been a source of high-class quarried limestone recognized as Indiana limestone. Many well-known buildings in London are created from Portland limestone.