1. RAW CLAY PLASTER
Clay plasters are naturally pigmented raw material and will never need painting. They’re available in a variety of textures: from highly polished and fine to extremely coarse, rustic finishes. The color spectrum includes all neutrals and earth colors, as well as blues, greens, blacks and whites. Its rawness gives the clay a unique, cloudy, and soft aesthetic with perfectly imperfect, subtle tonal and textural variations.
2. TADELAKT
Tadelakt is a natural lime-based plaster, indigenous to the Marrakech Plateau in the High Atlas Mountains, Morocco. Often seen in the beautiful riads in the region, it has become a popular choice for architects and designers due to its earthy nuanced tones and waterproof qualities.
3. LIME PLASTER
Lime plaster is a traditional building material made by burning limestone, then slaking it with water to form a plaster that hardens with age. It has been used for thousands of years, and when fully cured is extremely durable and hard-wearing. But it does have to cure. Unlike modern gypsum plaster, lime plaster not only has to dry but also cure; a general guide is for every 5mm thickness of lime it needs a minimum of 4 weeks to cure.
4. GYPSUM PLASTER
'Gypsum plaster is regular decorators’ plaster. It doesn’t have the eco-credentials, beauty, and breathability of clay but it’s a fabulous budget-friendly option if you like a raw finish,' explains Adam. 'It can be sealed with decorators varnish and a metal bead running along between the bottom of the walls and skirting.'
ARE PLASTER WALLS BETTER THAN DRYWALL?
Drywall is made out of softer material than plaster called gypsum which doesn’t crack and installing it is a fairly quick process compared to plastering. Sheets of it are cut to fit the shape of the walls and then nailed on. Then usually three layers of joint compound are added and after each layer the wall is sanded to give a smoother surface. Once the third layer has dried, the wall is ready to be painted.
WHAT CAN POTENTIALLY GO WRONG WITH PLASTER WALLS?
There's nothing wrong with plaster walls, unless you don't like it as a look. Old plaster can crumble and blow so unless you really like the crumbling building look (which can look cool!) it's best to go for a new, smooth finish. To achieve this, make sure you have it properly applied, though that can be expensive.
CAN I PLASTER MY OWN WALLS?
Of course, you can plaster your own walls if you're up for the challenge! It takes time to master as it's a bit tricky to get the hang of initially, but it's totally doable. 'Our clay plasters are applied with traditional plastering skills and tools. Application is nuanced regarding timings and details, so we recommend using an experienced clay plasterer,' says Adam. 'That said, we’re constantly surprised by self-build enthusiasts who achieve magnificent results themselves.'