The History of Plaster
Lime based wall finishes
have been used for thousands of years. From the tombs of the pyramids of Giza
to the Sistine Chapel, lime stucco has been a key ingredient in great
architecture on six continents.
The earliest plasters
known to us were lime-based. Around 7500 BC, the people of 'Ain Ghazal in
Jordan used lime mixed with unheated crushed limestone to make plaster which
was used on a large scale for covering walls, floors, and hearths in their
homes.
Stucco often contained
substantial amounts of mud or clay, marble or brick dust, or even sawdust. An
array of other additives ranged from animal blood or urine, cow dung, animal
hair, eggs, keratin or glue size (animal hooves and horns), varnish, wheat
paste, sugar, salt, sodium silicate, alum, tallow, linseed oil, beeswax, and
wine, beer, or rye whiskey. Additives, or admixtures, were usually added to
enhance or modify characteristics such as curing time, plasticity, color, or
volatility
Plaster decoration was
widely used in Europe in the Middle Ages where, from the mid-13th century,
gypsum was used for internal and external plaster. Hair was employed as
reinforcement, with additives to assist setting or plasticity including malt,
urine, beer, milk and eggs. In the 14th century, decorative trowelled plaster,
called pargeting was being used in South-East England to decorate the exterior
of timber-framed buildings. This is a form of incised, molded or modeled
ornament, executed in lime putty or mixtures of lime and gypsum plaster. During
this same period, terracotta was reintroduced into Europe and was widely used
for the production of ornament. In the mid-15th century, skilled Venetian
workers developed a new type of external facing, called Marmorino made by
applying lime directly onto masonry.
The Mona Lisa hangs on lime
plaster in the Louvre Museum. Same formula
as our Marmorino plaster.
In the last decade, an
American invented term 'Venetian Plaster' has been assigned to a wide range of
products - many having nothing to do with one another. There are synthetic
products, some natural ones. It has become a generic and over-used term. We prefer to stand alone without a label and
just say we sincerely aspire to bringing you the best natural and beautiful
plasters and stuccos to your doorstep, whatever you want to call it. And, no
you can’t buy it at Lowes. What you get at Lowes is little more than thick
paint.
The truth is that lime
plaster was used in Venice starting in the 15th century. Lime
plaster has an unparalleled ability to hold up in moisture laden environments
such as the waterways of Venice. Thus it is a perfect choice for moist areas
such as bathrooms or even showers.
1. It's beautiful. There's not much competition.
It will transform your space.
2. Lime plaster is lime based, natural,
non-toxic, has no off-gasing of VOC’s and is hypo-allergenic.
3. Because paint is synthetic - paint is rubber,
plastic and chemicals surrounding you.
4. It's affordable ... that means it costs a
little more than regular paint, but saves your money and health in the long
run.
5. It lasts as long as the walls. It's the
authentic, traditional stuff that's been around for thousands of years.
6. Lime plaster is durable. When lime plasters cure, the result is
hard-as-stone, long-lasting mineral coating. It's color integrated, so
even if it's scratched, it still looks great.
7. You can make it look like anything you can
imagine ... from the very subtle to dramatic, in any texture sheen or color.
9. Plaster will adhere to old latex paint,
primer and cement, making it perfect for new contruction and remodels.
10. Our products work perfectly for interiors and
exteriors, for both commercial and residential projects.
11. Plaster and stucco keep your space cooler in
the summer, and warmer in the winter.
12. Plaster is versatile for both traditional and
modern designs.
13. Color integrated products won't fade in
color, meaning they are UV resistant.
14. Our products absorb excess humidity keeping
it cool and fresh inside.
15. Natural plasters and stuccos filter the air,
absorbing carbon dioxide and odors.
16. Lime based plasters eliminate mold and
fungus.
Lime plasters absorb
carbon dioxide as they cure. A 1000 square foot wall can absorb 1 tom of CO2 as
is cures. Since it absorbs moisture, lime when used as an exterior coating in
the form of stucco can help a building stay cool by absorbing moisture during
the damp night hours and releasing it to evaporation during the day thereby
cooling the building.
Lime plaster continues to
cure as it reverts to its original state, limestone. As such it is itself
fireproof, it will not burn and will help make any substrate more fire
resistant.
Unlike paint when plaster
is applied there are no noxious odors from the volatile organic compounds found
in paint. There are none there. Lime plaster is simply limestone and crushed
marble.
So why not consider Lime Plaster instead of paint for your next wall finish?
