Why use Lime Plaster?

Lime has been used for thousands of years as a fabulous binder in mortars, plasters, and paints. It wasn't until the post-World War II housing boom that quick-setting cement products eclipsed lime in construction. Lime cures more slowly than cement, but it holds many advantages because it is a workable, self-healing, breathable*, nearly carbon neutral material...making it a great choice for natural building.

*breathable : Material's ability to allow air-borne vapor, i.e humidity, to pass through it. The breathability ensures that moisture will not build up inside the wall system. In turn, this ensures that any biodegradable materials, such as wood or straw, are protected from decomposing.

Why is lime plaster aligned with natural building?

Cement production creates 1.25 kg of CO2 for each kg of cement produced, whereas lime is nearly carbon neutral.

THE BENEFITS OF LIME

Natural lime was used traditionally as a binder in mortars, renders and plasters up until the 19th century when Ordinary Portland Cement was introduced. Ironically, modern insight has revealed enormous benefits of natural lime over the modern cements that dominate the building industry today.

Breathable

It is breathable (vapour permeable), absorbing and evaporating moisture from surrounding masonry. This also helps to protect the masonry, there is less risk of salt and frost damage.

Flexible

It has a low modulus of elasticity. This means it is extremely flexible and allows for movement and thermal expansion.

Sympathetic

It is softer than modern cement, a softer mortar will not wear away the surrounding masonry over time. Bricks and stones are also reclaimed more easily if dismantled.

Environmental

It is more eco-friendly, the lime manufacturing process produces less carbon dioxide than ordinary cement. Furthermore, it re-absorbs carbon dioxide thus lowering its carbon footprint even further.

Aesthetic

Attractive traditional appearance, pale in colour. Natural limes tend to reveal the colour and characteristics of the aggregate with which they're mixed