We are offering this wonderful creative surface finish. It can be painted or coloured in a verity of natural clays and with pigments added. Surface finishes can be achieved with waxes and oils and polishing techniques to give depth strength and longevity. Clay powders can be readily mixed into plasters on site at very affordable costs.
Earthen plaster is a healthy, ecological and beautiful alternative to conventional gypsum plaster. A traditional material used for thousands of years all over the world including the British Isles, it has stood the test of time. It is gaining resurgence in popularity as a low carbon option, and due its ability to combat indoor air pollution.
Humidity regulation
By nature unfired clay is hygroscopic meaning it desires to achieve a equilibrium humidity with its environment, releasing vapour when humidity is low and sucking up vapour when humidity levels are high. Because of this it can actually help increase longevity in building materials, behaving like a sponge keeping mould at bay. Experiments at the University of Kassel in Germany proved that a 1-sided 15mm sample of clay plaster could absorb 5x the moisture of a sample of gypsum plaster. For this reason it is acceptable to use in all rooms with high humidity, such as the kitchen and bathroom.
Healthy
Due to its wonderful hygroscopic quality. These unfired clay plasters have potential to reduce health risks, mould growth, increase the durability of building materials Many studies show airborne transmitted infectious bacteria, viruses’ and dustmite’s activity is minimised by exposure to relative humidity between 40-70%.
Warm
It also has great thermal mass helping to regulate temperature – when heat is high, such as a summers day it stores the heat for later, steadily releasing heat into the room when temperature falls. It’s perfect for keeping your home at a comfortable temperature and minimises the need for air conditioning units.
Locally dug and processed
Not only does it have impressive moisture and heat buffering quality but it is also very ecological to use, it can be locally sourced (you might even have some in your garden) and requires little processing, making it a low carbon choice.
Finishing effects
Clay comes in a variety of colours and different coloured natural pigments made from minerals can be added to the clay plaster, as well as marble dust for a sparkly tradtional venetian look. Straw or hemp fibre and sand is usually added to provide strength and flexibility. Natural waxes and polishes such as beeswax, punic wax and wall glazes can be added to give a lustrous sheen highlighting golden flecks of fibres if desired. Adding polishes decreases the vapour permeability but therefore at the same time improves its water resistance.
