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Clay Plaster

Mar 03
Love5
Clay Plaster Benefits

The Unique & Beneficial Properties of Clay Plaster

By Clay Plaster, Straw Bale Building, Light Clay Straw, Cob Building
Clay Plaster Benefits

Clay plaster base coat application in process

Clay soil is one of the most ancient, rudimentary, yet effective building materials on the planet. Besides being naturally abundant across much of the earth, clay has unique properties that make it not only suitable but very desirable as a natural building material. Clay is used for the production of fired brick, sun-baked adobes, cob, and natural plaster finishes.

In this very basic introduction to clay soil, I will highlight some of the unique water-loving features and other useful attributes of clay when it’s used as a natural building material, particularly as a plaster finish.

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Oct 11
Love4

Clay Plaster in Japan: Inspiring Video Documentary

By Video, Clay Plaster, Resources

I was excited to find this video documentary about Japanese clay plaster as it’s currently being practiced by sakan (a.k.a., traditional plasterers). From what I gather, clay plaster is a niche craft in Japan, but the tradition has been unbroken for hundreds and hundreds of years. It’s not practiced as widely as it once was, yet the quality of the work that is done is exceptional. It’s serious business, and absolutely beautiful and inspiring too.
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Sep 27
Love4

2017 Natural Building Essentials Workshop Photos

By Cob Building, Natural Building Workshops, Cob Oven, Clay Plaster, Photos

cob stomping mixing

We recently wrapped up our September Natural Building Essentials Workshop. Fourteen folks came out to participate, traveling from Texas, Florida, Kansas, Illinois, and beyond. It was an enjoyable ephemeral community for the week — everyone was eager to jump in the mud and help out. I enjoy this workshop format because it’s a chance to spend some quality time with the basic building blocks of a natural home — clay, sand, and straw.

Read ahead to view a photo gallery of the workshop!

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Jul 07
Love1

How To Make Your Own Japanese Plaster Hawk

By Hand Tools, Clay Plaster, Lime Plaster
Japanese plaster hawk

Read ahead for some tips on how to make these ergonomic Japanese plaster hawks

Japanese-style plaster hawks are a comfortable, ergonomic alternative to the typical hawk design you come across in the states. Best of all, you can very easily make your own with only a few basic materials and customize the proportions to your liking. Here’s how you make your own Japanese plaster hawk.

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Jun 24
Love0

Clay Plaster Evolution

By Uncategorized, Clay Plaster

Clay plaster evolution

The reward of building is seeing the progress and the character of a house take shape. This most recent plastering project has been no exception. Back when I saw the house for the first time in January, the walls were bare and the floor was gravel. It’s come a long way since then.

This photo sequence shows the three major phases of the plastering work we completed inside — bare faswall, the initial clay base coat and trim, and the finished product. What a difference!

I recommend viewing this image enlarged for the a fuller effect.

Jun 07
Love1

Done at Last: American Clay Plaster Finish

By Clay Plaster
american clay forte plaster - big wall

Plaster complete!

The big stretch of my spring clay plastering job is over now. It comes with a huge sense of relief, some achey shoulders, and a definite sense of accomplishment. It’s hard to remember that when we showed up to this house site two months ago, it was bare block walls. Now the space has really come to life.

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May 01
Love0

Current Project: Natural Plasters on a Faswall Home

By Clay Plaster
Clay Plaster on Faswall Block

Applying the clay plaster base coat to faswall block

This spring is all about plaster. I’ve been hired to complete the plaster work on a faswall block home in western Kentucky, including the clay plaster interior and a lime plaster exterior. There’s 3500+ total square feet of wall between the interior and exterior, which is no slouch. I just returned home from completing the clay and lime base coats with our crew. It was a big push and I’m glad to be done… well, at least until it’s time to go back and apply the finish, anyway.

Read on to see some images of the base coat clay plaster on faswall block!

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Jan 06
Love1
Properties of clay plaster

How to Make and Apply Base Coat Clay Plaster

By Resources, Clay Plaster, Straw Bale Building, Light Clay Straw
Base coat clay plaster

A student floats a creamy layer of clay plaster during one of our workshops

In my recent series of posts, I’ve described the process for building and finishing a light clay straw wall. First there was mixing the light clay straw itself and stuffing it into wall cavities. Then I discussed how to prepare for plaster by making and installing wood trim, and coating the walls with a simple clay slip. Next I’ll describe how to make and apply a base coat (or scratch coat) clay plaster. Now it’s really getting fun.

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Oct 26
Love2

How to Make and Use Clay Slip

By Clay Plaster, Straw Bale Building, Light Clay Straw
Clay slip on a light clay straw wall

Smearing clay slip on a light clay straw wall prior to plastering

Clay slip is an essential material for coating straw bale and light clay straw walls prior to plastering. Basically, it serves as an adhesion coat, essential for getting the first coat of plaster to stick to the wall. There’s not much science to making clay slip, and it’s really fun to smear. Here are a few really simple tips for making and using clay slip for natural walls.

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