Lime putty based, vapour permeable decorative solid plastering is installed where the sub-straight is permeable, that is, the sub-straight requires to breathe. Such projects that require these materials are, heritage homes built with low fired bricks and lime putty and sand mortars, Hempecrete. Strawbale homes, and even where home owners with plaster board sub-straights are looking for hydroscopic behaviours from their plaster scape.
there is a myrid of possibilities for every plaster scape, and each project that I complete goes through a render or plaster design phase. Here, I work closely with my customers to create customised finishes with individual colours and shades, trowel accents, character styles, burnishing, polish levels, and natural protective coatings. These six widely variable elements allow us to greatly hone the style or finish for each project.
Homes which receive the full range of benefits from lime based vapour permeability renders and plasters include.
Double brick heritage homes: Which were originally built using lime putty based building materials for mortars, renders and plasters. Some immediate benefits gained here are, possibly remedying damp rising, a degree of self healing properties in the plasters when subject to structural movement, and anti rodent properties.
Hempcreate and straw bale homes: These are an incredible ways to build ones home because they receive all of the above benefits of Lime putty materials, and their insulation values are phenomenal. But be cautious because hemccrete and straw bale homes absolutely require permeable fit outs with lime putty based mortars, renders and plasters. make no mistake here, it is of utmost importance that these two sub-straights are covered with a breathable protective coating. At a minimum, I recommend two 10mm thick coats of render, with the second coat being finished to customers desired affect. Plasters or lime washes on top of this are the customers optional choice. If these homes are covered in a render, plaster or paint that is not totally permeable (be cautious here as many new products say they are, and permeation is actually very low - look thoroughly into the degree of permeation that they do guarantee), when the home becomes subject to moisture, or worse, water intrusion, their inner structures, the timber framing, hempcrete or strawbale will rot and break down, because these fibres and structure needs to breathe and let out that intruding water.
Some benefits of lime putty based materials can still be realised by the occupants where the sub-straights are not vapour permeable. For example, there are decorative lime putty based products being manufactured now which are formulated to suit plaster board install. Where one chooses these products they will still receive the benifits of hydroscopic behavour, air purification and anti microbial surfaces - not to mention the array of beautiful finishes.
Having now been introduced to the benefits of vapour permeable decorative solid plastering, consider if its an attribute that you may wish to pursue in your homes renovation or build, and contact me as early as possible in your planning stage, this helps in liaising with customers, builders and other trades for the sub-straight, building site and timeline requirements.
