Understanding the distinction between non-hydraulic and hydraulic lime is crucial for insulating historic structures. Many period buildings suffer when modern, impermeable materials are applied, trapping moisture and causing decay.  Non-hydraulic lime plasters  are always superior for their exceptional breathability and flexibility, allowing your building to regulate moisture naturally. This is key to preventing damp and maintaining structural health, a challenge often faced by owners of traditional properties. Choose the authentic, sympathetic solution that works with your building.

Beyond synthetic barriers:

true comfort through energy

Insulating lime plaster isn't just about adding warmth; it’s about creating a healthier, more comfortable living environment. Unlike synthetic insulation which can lead to condensation, cold spots, and fungal growths in old buildings, insulated lime plasters naturally manage moisture, reducing humidity and improving air quality. This natural thermal regulation contributes significantly to energy conservation, reducing heating demands while ensuring the fabric of your building can breathe. Experience the difference of a consistently temperate and dry indoor climate, year-round.

The vital role of moisture transfer: preserving your heritage

The importance of moisture transfer cannot be overstated when it comes to the longevity and health of traditional buildings. Insulating lime plasters are created to facilitate this crucial process, allowing moisture vapour to pass freely through the wall structure. This prevents interstitial condensation, timber decay, and plaster failure – common issues arising from less breathable modern materials. Understanding and respecting your building’s unique needs for moisture management helps you safeguard your home and its occupants whilst maintaining its historical significance. 

The importance of moisture transfer cannot be overstated when it comes to the longevity and health of period and listed buildings. Our insulating lime plasters are engineered to facilitate this crucial process, allowing moisture vapour to pass freely through the wall structure. This prevents potential interstitial condensation, timber decay, salt hydrolysis leading to structural damage, and plaster failure – common issues arising from less breathable modern materials. By understanding and respecting your building’s unique needs for moisture management, We can help you safeguard your home and its occupants whilst maintaining your building's historical and Heritage significance. 

A couple of nutshells

After half a century of experience with lime, and a good chunk of that time spent Lecturing, we have already created many pages on this site for people to understand lime better, so if you haven't read those pages, start now!

 

In nutshell number 1, we have :  Non Hydraulic Lime plasters are far superior for internal plastering,  because they have high, natural capillarity, meaning moisture does not get trapped in your walls. This is commonly today called "breathability" by most, but  we  prefer "moisture vapour transferability" because we've never yet found a building with lungs, but have seen thousands with moisture in them, and moisture is necessary in traditional buildings, so obviously  Non hydraulic lime plaster mixes are always preferable.

 

In nutshell number 2, we have : Today the "online world of shopping", driven by our old friend Mark Eting, is full of ready mixed bags, stating amazing  things which really are only focussed on another yacht in Monaco for the company CEO.  They are generally best avoided unless you know, and fully understand, the physics and chemistry that has gone into them.

 

Something you must always  be very aware of is product manufacturers are not making products just for you alone, they must try to accommodate a multitude of needs, so if you were aother lazy kid who didn't focus in your science classes, then don't think you have any right to blame a product, when you are the one who bought it, with no knowledge.

A very simple, and very true old saying is 

"Only a bad workman ever blames his tools"

Natural, sustainable, products can be added to non hydraulic lime plaster mixes to provide greater plaster thicknesses with natural thermal insulation values. Now, straight away we must mention a few important, but very real problems, which  ultimately come down to greed:

Losing a few centimeters from your internal room dimensions really is not a consideration to be getting stupid about, when the advantages for you, your family, your health, your family pets health, and your energy savings are compared. 

That said, for all you wannabe property magnates who are obsessed with floor area profits (firstly don't cry too much when you finally realise  the TV programs don't actually tell the truth)  external rendering can be applied also, using the same added natural products, but obviously in an external render mix, not the same internal plaster mix. 

Hemp is Hemp! Stop assuming

Far too many people these days think they are going to become billionaire property magnates overnight because the TV told them that, and of course far too many people believe their TV - societal changes for the worse, and increases in anger these days really do prove that 🤣.

 

HempShiv:  Hemp is a very sustainable crop that offers significant environmental benefits, including carbon absorption, low water usage, and minimal pesticide requirements.

Environmental Benefits of Hemp:

Carbon Sequestration: Hemp is known for its ability to absorb carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the atmosphere. It can sequester between 8 to 22 tonnes of CO² per hectare per year, making it more effective than many trees in terms of carbon capture. This property helps mitigate climate change by reducing greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere.

Low Water Usage: Compared to traditional crops like cotton, hemp requires significantly less water to grow. This makes it a more sustainable option, especially in regions prone to drought or water scarcity.

Minimal Pesticide Use: Hemp is naturally resistant to many pests and diseases, which means it can be cultivated with fewer chemical pesticides. This reduces the risk of chemical runoff into waterways and minimises harm to local ecosystems.

Soil Health: Hemp contributes positively to soil health by removing toxins and replenishing nutrients. Its deep root system helps prevent soil erosion and degradation, promoting sustainable land use practices.

 

Hemp can be utilised in various industries, including:
Construction: Hemp can be processed into materials like hempcrete, which is a sustainable alternative to traditional concrete. It provides thermal insulation and is carbon-negative.

Textiles: Hemp fibers are used to create eco-friendly textiles, which have a lower environmental impact compared to conventional cotton and synthetic fibers.

Food and Nutrition: Hemp seeds are a rich source of protein and healthy fats, contributing to sustainable food systems.

To recap, in a hutshell: A sustainable crop that offers significant environmental benefits, 

including;

CO² absorption, 

Low water usage, 

Minimal pesticide requirements.

 

Perlite : is an amorphous volcanic glass that has a relatively high water content, typically formed by the hydration of obsidian. It occurs naturally and has the unusual property of greatly expanding when heated sufficiently. It is an industrial mineral. Perlite occurs natural and will greatly expand when heated, making it an excellent "aggregate" substitute for aggregates.

 

Cork : Granular cork is not one we've ever used so this is NOT BASED on experiences or experienctial recommedation, but theory:

Another good, yet non traditional insulating additive, due to both its thermal and sound reducing qualities, whilst not hindering necessary moisture vapour  transferabilities. It is also lightweight when added in its correct composition and correct quantities. We have never used Cork additives (wine bottles?) but  have received some negatives from other experts who have, so plese tread carefully and read our mould page - the link for Cork suppliers is here https://ecoprocork.com/

 

So by now you can see some of the various options that are available, with beautiful lime, but do remember building regulations were not written back in the 'better' days, so if you ade buying an older build, remember you are buying an older build. If you want a building regs compliant new build, then its generally better that you buy a new build. Obviously, when correctly applied and cured, these insulating finishes can easily be decorated with appropriate moisture vapour permeable (MVP)  coatings, both  internally and externally.

So why don't Schools teach us about these natural elements?