When plastering and rendering your home, lime putty is often overlooked as an option, as most plasterers in modern society use other materials such as cement or gypsum. Throughout history, lime has been used as a building material, due to its durability and affordability. Plaster board and cement have slowly risen in popularity and is now the ‘go-to’ materials for plastering and rendering jobs in the building industry. Some companies, like ourselves are becoming more popular in modern society, due to the benefits that lime has as a building material. The benefits are listed below.
Firstly, lime plaster ‘breathes’. This means that water vapour or any moisture is absorbed and released by lime plasters. Lime, as a building material can enable moisture to transfer through a building, without letting any moisture out. Thus, preventing any dampness or mould in a property. Cement or gypsum on the other hand allows no moisture to pass through the material or building, thus building up moisture and causing dampness in the environment. Having a breathable plaster (such as lime) allows the prevention of surface condensation, thus mould. Therefore, helping to manage internal moisture, as well as external.
Secondly, lime plaster moves. Therefore, meaning that it is less likely to crack, which is common in properties with cement plaster, due to the property moving throughout the seasons. Lime plaster is much more flexible and can therefore prevent this from happening.
Another benefit to using lime to plaster your walls is the aesthetic. Lime plaster has a pristine reputation for having a beautiful matte finish. Alongside this, lime has a slightly varied texture and shade which gives the material a green artistic colour.
Alongside these benefits, lime plaster is also significantly more environmentally friendly. It is one of those building materials which is significantly less wasteful than cement or gypsum, as it can be used over and over again. For instance, if too much was made, it can be used the next day and so it, which can not be done with a material such as cement or gypsum.
Finally, a benefit to using lime is that is soft. Cement or gypsum are argued to be hard and difficult to remove. Therefore, it is far more likely to cause damage to the wall underneath, especially if it is brick or stone. Lime plaster is opposite to this, as it is argued to be far more resilient and softer, which can be easier to remove if needed.
At JC Plastering and Lime, we offer Barnstaple’s best lime plastering service. With a number of years’ experience, we are able to provide the best possible finish which is desired, alongside excellent customer service and advice whenever it is needed. We offer a breathable lime plastering service, which is a two-coat of lime putty which is applied over existing lime render or plaster, which will provide a breathable and fine finish. For more information on our plastering service, or to see examples of our work, take a tour of our website today.
