The use of clay in construction is an ecological solution. Used since time immemorial, it has a whole range of advantages. Rarely applied in modern architecture , clay plasters, in recent years, however, are gaining more and more supporters. They are gaining popularity mainly based on their health properties, as these plasters are free of excess chemicals. When used in interiors, they are conducive not only to people who value a natural lifestyle, but especially to allergy sufferers. Very valuable is the fact that the building, through the organic materials used in it, remains part of the natural environment, and the drawn clay returns to it, albeit in a slightly modified form. Clearly, then, the building harmonizes with its surroundings.
Clay plaster in boho-style interiors
Clay - a basic material of many cultures
Clay is a material that is found almost everywhere, wherever land is available. Its use in construction is therefore widespread on a large scale. Parallel to such use, it is a material that plays an important cultural role. Indeed, there are buildings and even entire cities in the world that are built from clay. This, in turn, is sometimes the basis for organizing events, uniting the local community. I am thinking, for example, of the annual reconstruction of the great mosque in Djenne, in central Mali. After the rainy season, when the clay on the temple there deteriorates, the community gathers, rebuilding a layer of plaster together. The need to reconstruct the building, therefore, affects the organization of the system of functioning of the people there.
Also in Poland, clay has always been used for building houses. By combining it with wood, the so-called half-timbered construction, found mainly in the Sudetenland and Pomerania, was created. These are so-called checkered houses, which have an infill between the structural beams, consisting of wooden pegs, straw, and clad in clay, which is usually covered with lime.
Natural plaster in the interior
Properties
Clay plasters are an excellent alternative to the cement-lime plasters that are common today, because they can be laid on raw masonry, while having health-promoting properties. A characteristic feature of clay plasters is their resistance to microorganisms and fungi. Mold can sometimes appear on wet plaster, but it disappears as it dries. Thus, this problem will constantly recur if we do not create conditions of adequate ventilation in the room.
Clay plaster has antistatic properties, which greatly reduces the amount of dust in the apartment, and can absorb harmful substances, in a way filtering the air. Clay also does a great job of promoting heat storage in a room, as it seals the walls. It also protects combustible materials from fire. The ability to shield from high-frequency electromagnetic waves and the reusability of clay are also of great value. The disadvantage, however, is the considerable weight of the plaster. 1 cm thick on a square meter can weigh as much as 18 kg.
The clay also has quite a high strength. Straw bales plastered on both sides, without wooden structure, have a load-bearing capacity of up to two stories.
Natural plaster with visible irregularities
Appearance of clay plaster
The plasters inside the building play a protective and decorative role. In addition to practical properties, plastered rooms gain an aesthetic appearance. Clay has a great variety of shades and textures. So it encourages experimentation and the creation of artistic plasters. Colors will be important for building the atmosphere of the place. Applied in the interior, they will give expression to our individual personality.
The versatility of clay plaster makes us increasingly choose a unique structure, charmingly imperfect, with characteristic pits, instead of the common smooth walls or those decorated with wallpaper. Such plasters dry much more slowly than traditional ones, allowing more time to make all sorts of patterns on the surface. Their texture usually prompts us to create soft, gentle shapes.
Alby wyrónać the surface of the wall, we can purchase special plaster dedicated to clay plasters. We can cover such walls with paint, while natural paints are recommended. We can mix the plaster with mineral dyes, which will give us an original effect of subdued color.
We can also achieve an interesting decoration by pasting various types of decorative materials into the surface, such as colored stones.
Reinforcement for clay plaster
Substrate for clay plaster
As a substrate for clay plaster we can use most common materials, for example, hollow blocks, bricks, concrete surfaces, as well as wooden structures. It is important that the surface be clean, free of greasy stains and unevenness. Some beforehand should be properly prepared, for example, by scratching the wall with sandpaper. To ensure good bonding of the plaster to the wall surface, the substrate can be primed with a special paint soap.
Reinforcing reinforcement
To provide additional reinforcement to reduce the risk of cracking the plaster, we can use natural rein forcement. It can be horizontal slats attached to the wall, and a straw or reed mat fixed to them.
Another way will be to make the first layer of plaster from a mixture containing chopped straw. This is a reinforcing layer, with so-called scattered reinforcement. This is a relatively quick way, without installing laths and stretching mats. However, it is important that the last layer of plaster does not contain the mixture, as this will make it difficult to smooth the surface.
Locally, we can also use special reinforcing fabrics, blended into the layer of plaster in places of anticipated cracking, or, for example, in the corners of the walls (both interior and exterior). Most often these fabrics are made of jute or linen.
Natural plaster applied in a minimalist arrangement
A healthy choice
Natural construction is becoming more common again. The most popular plasters in Poland are either cement-lime or gypsum plaster. These are very durable surfaces, but are not vapor permeable. With clay plasters, we can create a human-friendly space that will benefit health. Besides, the possibility of close contact with nature will certainly contribute to positive changes in the consciousness of the building's users as well.
