Construction and decoration professionals are increasingly turning to natural materials like hemp and clay. Lime, a standout natural product, has made a strong comeback for use in natural coatings and eco-friendly paints across diverse projects.
Lime leads the way in sustainable building practices.
Lime derives from limestone, a naturally occurring stone, and ranks among humanity's oldest construction materials—dating back to prehistoric times. Once the go-to choice for builders in architecture and beyond, it declined with cement's rise but regained prominence in the 1980s through restorations of historic structures by skilled craftsmen.
Its popularity stems from proven advantages: waterproofing, antibacterial properties, fungicidal action, and seamless compatibility with materials like cork, hemp, and linen. This aesthetic, sanitizing, and eco-friendly option excels in decoration, protection, covering, and building various structures. It comes in two primary types.
Also called lean lime, hydraulic lime contains complex silicates that set first in water, then in air. Its high clay content enables faster setting than aerial lime, making it ideal for outdoor applications like slabs and facades.
Indoors, it's suited for damp areas such as cellars, bathrooms, or buried walls. Professionals also use it in hemp-based insulating plasters and general masonry.
Hydraulic lime is labeled with NHL followed by a number indicating hydraulicity level. NHL2 suits soft substrates; NHL3 works for slabs, plasters, and masonry; NHL5 sets in 3-5 hours, perfect for slab pouring.
Aerial lime shines in dry indoor plasters, absorbing CO2 from the air during setting. It requires mixing with water.
Crafters use it in natural paints with pigments for decorative finishes. Its slow setting offers flexibility, making it accessible for beginners.
It boasts an extended shelf life when stored in a water-covered container to prevent air exposure and evaporation.
Aerial lime delivers smooth, translucent finishes for appealing results. As an alkaline material, always wear protective gear. Available in paste or powder form.
