Using Natural Finishes: Lime and Clay Based Plasters, Renders and Paints - A Step-by-step Guide

by Adam Weismann, Katy Bryce, Adam Weisman

With the increasing awareness of eco-building techniques alongside the desire to make our homes healthier, the historical benefits of using natural renders and paints are being rediscovered. Using Natural Finishes is an in-depth guide to the selection, mixing and application of lime and clay based plasters, renders, paints and washes. Providing step-by-step instructions with detailed illustrations to show the practical elements of working with lime and clay-based finishes, the authors demonstrate how these natural breathable plasters and paints can be used on a wide variety of wall surfaces, including traditional and eco-build materials like cob, strawbale and stone, as well as modern plasterboard and concrete surfaces, with stunning results. Easy to follow DIY projects guide the reader through all aspects of using these natural finishes, with beautiful photographs of techniques and examples from the UK and abroad. Key cob, eco-building, natural building, strawbale, earthen plasters, earth plasters, clay plasters, natural paints, sustainable building, lime plasters, lime paints, lime wash, alis, casein, clay paints, eco paints, green paints.

264 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

Reviews

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best resources on natural plastering, and very clearly written. It is a UK book, but most of the information translates well to North America. There are a few things, such as availability of lime putty and quality of hydrated bagged lime, that don't transfer well (North America has excellent quality hydrated lime that can work just as well as lime putty for most plasters, which is not the case in the UK). Nevertheless this should be on every plasterer's book shelf.

[Grace Ison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book! The book was expensive but so worth every penny. Written in large format, it has great color photos showing everything you need to know about how to use natural finishes. The tools needed isn’t just a list; it is a guide on what they are and how to use them. These also include the beautiful Japanese tools. Photos are of structures old and new from around the world.

The book is a well done how-to covering the entire process: preparing your clay, testing and sampling earth for adhesions, water resistance, abrasion resistance, cracking and durability, and how to test a lime finishing coat, preparing the clay mix, soaking, sieving, and the difference between wet or dry-sieving. There were a lot of things in this section that I hadn’t thought about.

There is a section on partnering. I found this very interesting.

Also good is a section on repairing earth plasters and a general guideline as well as a troubleshooting guide.

Last section is on limewash, casein paint and pigments: natural earth, animal or plant-based, synthetic.

By the time you finish reading and studying this book, your should feel very confident to approach your own project and expect great results.