Plastering is an old-age practice covering rough surfaces and walls with plaster materials to smoothen uneven surfaces. Lime plaster is the oldest plastering technique dating back to 7500 BC. The people of Ain Ghazal in Jordan used crushed unheated limestone mixed with lime to cover their walls, floors, and decoration.
Since then, lime plastering has evolved into modern products like Fiberlime and Fiberchalk. Using lime plaster has been on the rise in recent years. Companies specializing in lime plastering services associate their popularity with its benefits compared to other applications.
Durability
Lime plaster is durable because it is unaffected by water. It holds excess moisture from wet surfaces and realizes it when the atmosphere is less humid. Lime plaster reduces the risk of structural damage and weakening. Lime plaster absorbs Carbon Dioxide hardening it to its natural condition. This hardening process continues each year, making lime plaster harder and more durable as the year progresses.
Lime plaster is flexible and does not easily crack even as the seasons change. It is solid and resistant to fire, wind, and harsh weather. Lime fine particles allow the plaster to penetrate through voids in the surfaces providing strong adhesion to the characters.
Eco-Friendly and Sustainable
Unlike cement, lime has less embodied energy because it takes time to cure. You can reuse lime plaster if need be. For reuse, remove the lime plaster from the brick. You can recycle the application and reuse the bricks. Because of its durability, lime plastering requires minor repairs, reducing the need to invest in repairing a building.
The caustic property of lime makes it resistant to mold, bacteria, and fungus. This enhances its durability when used in plastering. In some conditions, you can add color to the lime plaster to give it a unique appearance and eliminate the need for chemical paint. Here it provides the final touch without additional paint. Its eco-friendly property is enhanced because it uses carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
While lime plastering offers numerous benefits, it's important to remember that the quality of the finish largely depends on the expertise of the professionals handling the job. Regarding residential plastering, choosing a team that can deliver a high-quality finish is crucial to ensuring your walls' and ceilings' longevity and aesthetic appeal.
Autogenous
This is the process of self-healing. Over time, buildings develop cracks because of environmental conditions and the earth's movement. Buildings made with cement, for example, formulate significant gaps because of the material's stiffness. On the contrary, buildings made with lime are prone to create many small cracks because it is flexible. However, the moisture can dissolve the cracked elements and deposits them back into the broken lines inducing self-healing. This reduces the risk of building rooting.
Beautiful Finishes
Buildings made with lime display a unique aesthetic because it reflects light twice through calcite crystals. This makes any lime-plastered construction finish more attractive than other plasters.
Lime is permeable and workable with soft binding properties that give it a smooth texture with luster. Over time, lime exhibits a glowing translucent quality.
Allows the Building to Breathe
Moisture is trapped in buildings as the walls warm and relaxed throughout the years. This moisture, if not realized, causes damping and damage to buildings. Unlike other plastering materials, lime is permeable and regulates humidity. It can release the water trapped in the building reducing the damage caused by moisture accumulation. This creates a favorable environment and reduces the risk of mold growth.
Because of its ability to absorb water, lime protects the surrounding materials such as timber, iron, brick masonry, or stone by absorbing moisture through the buildings and protecting them from harmful salts.
Good Workability
Lime mortar is easy to mold and gives a general smoothness to the finished product. It is flexible, making it easy to spread within the bricks. It enhances the ability of the bricks to accommodate stress caused by the movement of the building or instability caused by excessive cracks. Because of its nature, you can use a wide range of sharp aggregates in the lime-based mix. It results in total joints with good bonding to other materials. Due to its workability, lime plaster enhances the performance of complete work and beauty.
Plays a Role in a Healthy Environment
The caustic property of lime has led to its use in different ways. Limewash is used as a disinfectant. Secondly, lime is the main ingredient in water purification. Products of lime have also been used to improve the building's comfort and to create hygienic surfaces throughout centuries.
Related post: A Few Steps To Prepare Before Plastering Your Walls
Lime plastering has stood the test of time because of its many advantages over other plasters. Consider contracting lime plastering companies for a durable, outstanding building when renovating or building a new house.
