Tadelakt - Intonachino - Marmorino - Hydraulic - Clays

This is the first of a two part series, of two projects we completed recently……

One of my contractors was faced with the challenge of having a Limestone or Travertine lintel fabricated and installed.So like any good contractor does when he does not already have the resource in place,  he asks his best trades the ultimate question ” Do you know someone capable of doing this limestone header for me” he asks,as he is showing me the elevations. Not one to ever back away from a plastering challenge, I offered my further services and took on the job myself. Authentic Plaster FX was already fully involved in this extensive interior and exterior venetian plaster project…so why not add some more of our expertise to the project ?

The question is …is it real? and if no, how did we do it? Well the ins and outs of how it is done I will keep to myself ,and some applicators may offer there insight into how it is done ….but I’ll leave em guessing I’m afraid in this case

Here’s  2 shots of the start of the process,the rest stays under my hat!

So what makes this so important you may ask?…..

Well with this system we can create Limestone details at a fraction of the cost of real limestone or travertine….in this particular case we saved the home owner approximately $8000.00 as compared to having a real limestone header fabricated ,on top of that we did it in a matter of days as compared to weeks for actual real stone,and we are able to get over any building imperfections because the process is done in-situ.

So you tell me does it look real?

The World is our Oyster

Check out this video from the Colonial Williamsburg video library showing the building and history behind a lime rick .

As the rick burned, temperatures of at least 1800 F  were were obtained. This is essential if the conversion from calcium carbonate to calcium oxide is going to occur. Ricks were constructed with several tiers of logs supporting layers of smaller logs then covered with the oyster shells.

There are worldwide examples of  historic Lime ricks, these were found  in close association to shell middens, which are strewn along the eastern seaboard of the USA, with some examples here in western Canada,with further examples worlwide.

The world-over you will see the use of the sir name “Lime-burner” or  points of interest called “Limeburner point” “Lime burner bay” or pubs called “The lime burner” or  “Limeburners Arms” these are all in reference of the old trade of burning limestone or in this case oyster shells to make lime plaster, mortars, tabby cement and concrete.

Shell or lime middens are a whole different topic to which I am no expert,but I find the subject interesting none the less.

Shikkui Plaster ( Shirokabe) the traditional  Japanese lime plaster, is manufactured in much the same way, from the millions of pounds of oyster shell produced from the  consumption of oysters  in Japan….albeit in a more modern type of lime kiln.

Shikkui Plaster is made of slaked lime , seaweed extracts and  natural plant fibers and other aggregates. Has been widely used throughout Japan for both internal and external wall and ceiling finishes  of houses, temples and castles, for over one thousand years.

The hydraulic lime used in the technique of Tadelakt plaster was/is manufactured in much the same way ,in ground pits or pit kilns, with palm fronds as fuel to burn the limestone local to Marrakesh.

The renewed interest in the use of Lime Plasters,Venetian plasters and  lime based mortars and paints is beginning a  revolution.

Lime Plaster, high in alkalinity and very breathable provides  healthy environments, excellent luminescent, reflective light, and simply a beautiful surface wall finish for any home.

Originally posted 2009-12-09 21:53:52.