Clay plaster: where can it be used

For centuries, builders and decorators have employed clay plaster, a material with endless applications. It is a well-liked option for both conventional and contemporary applications due to its natural composition. This plaster is a fantastic choice for a variety of spaces because it provides a special fusion of functional advantages and visual appeal.

Clay plaster can be tailored to a variety of styles and requirements, from giving a country home a rustic feel to incorporating an eco-friendly element into modern interiors. It is prized for improving indoor air quality not just because of its look but also for its capacity to control humidity and offer a breathable surface.

This post will discuss the many applications for clay plaster, emphasizing its benefits and adaptability to diverse settings. Making informed decisions for your project can be aided by knowing the potential of clay plaster, whether you’re designing a new space or renovating an old building.

Application Area Description
Interior Walls Clay plaster is great for interior walls as it helps regulate humidity and provides a natural, breathable finish.
Historic Buildings It’s often used in historic renovations to match traditional materials and techniques.
Eco-Friendly Homes Ideal for eco-friendly and sustainable buildings due to its natural composition and low environmental impact.
Decorative Finishes Clay plaster can be used for decorative purposes, offering a unique texture and color that can be customized.

What is good about clay plaster

The environmental safety of the product is marked on almost all packages containing modern plaster mixes (see Types of plaster for interior decoration: choosing correctly). And it is true for the most part. Nevertheless, they frequently include artificial additives that give the material strength, flexibility, resistance to freezing, and other beneficial qualities.

The only ingredients in clay plasters are natural ones: sand, clay, and fillers like sawdust, straw, pine needles, etc. Their benefits outweigh those of even the most costly and premium cement, gypsum (see Cement or gypsum plaster: which is better to choose), and particularly polymer-based plasters.

  • Possessing an excellent ability to accumulate moisture from the air and give it back, clay provides climate control in the room;
  • It also accumulates heat and gradually gives it off when the air temperature drops. Even to the touch, it is always warm and pleasant;
  • Such plaster perfectly absorbs odors, is a good barrier to extraneous sounds from the street and high-frequency radiation;
  • It has antiseptic properties, prevents the appearance of mold on the walls;
  • Another great property is the ability to "breathe", passing through itself the vapors contained in the air. Wooden structures with such protection always remain dry, do not rot and are not attacked by insect pests;
  • Clay plaster can be reused by soaking it in water. The same is done with the hardened working solution, so there is no waste left during repairs;
  • It can be used on any base: wood, brick, concrete, cinder block, etc.d.;

  • Of course, an important advantage is the extremely low price of the material. It may not cost you anything at all if you use clay for plastering from a pit dug under the foundation, and bring sand from the river bank. But ready-made mixtures usually cost no more than gypsum plasters.

Suggestions. When purchasing such plaster, inquire about the clay’s mining location. It is effective at absorbing smells as well as a variety of dangerous pollutants, including radioactive ones.

Preparation of plaster mortar

Sadly, mixing the mortar and plastering the walls by hand is a very challenging task.

This is a labor-intensive process that takes a long time because the clay needs time to dry. However, the end product is worthwhile, so if you choose to use this material, we advise you to carefully read the following recommendations and watch a video that demonstrates how to apply clay plastering.

What should be included in the plaster

The principal ingredients are water, sand, and regular clay. Because of their high heat conductivity, a solution made solely of them is typically limited to use as the last layer of leveling. Plaster with filler is made for rough finishing, the goal of which is to improve the walls’ thermal insulation.

  • Hemp or flax fibers;
  • Wood sawdust or shavings, preferably pine, oak, alder;
  • Dung (horse manure).

Our ancestors used all of these materials for a very long time, and they were quite knowledgeable about insulating their homes. They now have contemporary fillers added to them that can be used fearlessly. These consist of granulated polystyrene foam and different types of fibers.

Additionally, there are other choices:

  • For example, if you plan to plaster stoves with clay, then cement, asbestos or fiberglass are often added to the solution to give the plaster greater strength.
  • For the production of decorative clay plaster, colored clay (white, yellow, blue) is used, pigments and mineral ground fillers are added to it.

Preparing the solution

Any type of clay will work, but its fat content may vary, so you’ll need to conduct an empirical analysis to figure out the proportions of each ingredient in the plaster. Make a small solution first in order to choose the proportions.

  • Take one part of clay and fill it with water for a day, which should be 3-4 times more in volume;
  • Mix the solution thoroughly, kneading all the lumps until a homogeneous mass is obtained;
  • Occasionally stirring, begin to add sifted sand to it. For clay of normal fat content, four parts of sand are required, but you pour it until the mass begins to easily slide off the trowel.

You must now test it using one of the methods listed below:

  • Method 1. Roll a small ball, lift it a meter from the floor and drop it. It should not fall apart or crack from the impact.
  • Method 2. Roll out a tourniquet from the resulting mass 15-20 cm long and about 2 cm in diameter, put it on a flat surface and bend it into an arc. There should be no breaks or cracks at the bend.

Your samples have too much sand if the test was not passed by them.

Once the ratios are known, you can mix the solution to the necessary volume with fillers and water. For heat-insulating rough plaster, sawdust or chopped straw should make up half or slightly less of the total volume. Gradually add them to the water until the mixture reaches the right consistency.

Suggestions. If you use dry sawdust, the solution’s water content will be absorbed by the dust. Soak them ahead of time.

It’s time to learn how to make clay plaster now.

For wall decoration, clay plaster is a flexible and environmentally responsible choice that works well in a variety of contexts. It offers great breathability and a natural appearance both inside and outside. Clay plaster is perfect for walls and ceilings to create an earthy or rustic feel, especially in traditional or environmentally conscious designs. Because of its capacity to control humidity and enhance air quality, it’s a fantastic option for healthy homes.

Plastering walls with clay mortar

For the shingles, clay plastering is used. Alternatively put, the initial layer of work, which needs to be at least 3 cm thick in order for the clay to "work" and preserve the room’s typical microclimate and heat-saving capabilities.

A wooden slat lattice fastened to the wall is called shingles. It will provide support for a fairly thick layer.

The solution is literally thrown onto the surface with force for improved adhesion, and it is then leveled with pressure using a rule from top to bottom, to the sides, but not from top to bottom.

Advice: Thoroughly moisten the walls prior to applying clay plaster.

Use a wooden float to level the surface after ten to fifteen minutes. It is recommended to wet it occasionally with water. particularly if the coating has started to dry.

The final layer cannot be applied until this layer has thoroughly dried. This can take one to three months, depending on the air temperature and plaster thickness.

The leveling layer solution can be made without filler by mixing cement or gypsum 1:1 with clay for added strength. Like ordinary plaster, it is applied in thin layers that range from 2 to 5 mm thick.

For wall decoration, clay plaster is a flexible and environmentally responsible choice. Because of its natural makeup, it helps control humidity and purifies the air, making it perfect for creating healthy indoor environments. This plaster offers a distinctive, textured finish that gives character to any space, making it suitable for both traditional and modern interiors.

Clay plaster is not only visually appealing but also versatile and simple to apply on a range of surfaces. When working on renovation or new construction projects, clay plaster works well with drywall and masonry walls among other wall types. Because of its adaptability, you can add different textures and pigments to make it fit your preferred style.

All things considered, clay plaster is a sensible option for anyone wishing to improve their walls using a sustainable, natural substance. Its advantages go beyond aesthetics; it also helps create a more ecologically friendly home and better indoor air quality.

Video on the topic

Ceramic block and clay plaster

Clay decorative plaster. Application instructions.

This CLAY SOLUTION is slightly weaker than concrete. An old-fashioned solution for plastering walls

Technology for applying clay plaster to brick walls.

Cracks in clay plaster

How to choose the composition of clay plaster using templates?

Secret No. 1 for clay plaster Adding grains

Composition of clay plaster.

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Dmitry Stepanov

Professional decorator with 10 years of experience. I know everything about renovating apartments, houses and offices. I will be happy to share my knowledge and experience with you.

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