Using Natural Finishes: Lime and Clay Based Plasters, Renders and Paints - A Step-by-step Guide [Paperback]

This highly informative and sumptuous book shows how the threat of climate change is also an opportunity to make buildings more beautiful. --Sunand Prasad, President, Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA)

Adam and Katy are rethinking how we build, and coming up with something beautiful. --John Vidal, Environment Editor, The Guardian

A splendid book. A real addition to what's out there and very complementary to the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings' new technical manual on Old Building Repairs. --Kevin McCloud, Grand Designs

Adam and Katy are rethinking how we build and coming up with something beautiful

This highly informative and sumptuous book shows how the threat of climate change is also an opportunity to make buildings more beautiful

With the increasing awareness of eco-building techniques alongside the desire to make our homes healthier, the historical benefits of using natural renders and paints are being rediscovered. Using Natural Finishes is an in-depth guide to the selection, mixing and application of lime and clay based plasters, renders, paints and washes. Providing step-by-step instructions with detailed illustrations to show the practical elements of working with lime and clay-based finishes, the authors demonstrate how these natural breathable plasters and paints can be used on a wide variety of wall surfaces, including traditional and eco-build materials like cob, strawbale and stone, as well as modern plasterboard and concrete surfaces, with stunning results. Easy to follow DIY projects guide the reader through all aspects of using these natural finishes, with beautiful photographs of techniques and examples from the UK and abroad. Key words: cob, eco-building, natural building, strawbale, earthen plasters, earth plasters, clay plasters, natural paints, sustainable building, lime plasters, lime paints, lime wash, alis, casein, clay paints, eco paints, green paints.

Reviews for Using Natural Finishes
Felllow architects frequently tell me they don't like "hairy buildings", and so they consign natural building to some fringe activity carried out by a few self-build enthusiastic amateurs. Adam and Katy's book will hopefully lay this nonsense to rest, once and for all. With the level of technical detail and the beautiful photographs it is plain for all to see that buildings, using natural materials, can demonstrate a high degree of excellence in finish as well as providing answers to crucial issues such as indoor air quality and environmental impact. They demonstrate a level of professionalism and aesthetic sensibility that is a very valuable contribution to knowledge in the field -Tom Woolley, Architect and professor at the Graduation School of the Environment, Centre for Alternative Technology, Wales

Well researched and beautifully illustrated - this book draws on personal experience, as well as knowledge from the UK and around the world, a must for anybody interested in natural finishes - Chris Lord-Smith, President, Association for Environment Conscious Building

Step-by-step instructions for applying lime- and clay-based plasters, renders and paints.
Information on the benefits of natural finishes for personal health, the environment and buildings.
Drawing on traditional methods and materials for using lime and clay finishes on new and historic buildings.
Design details for using natural finishes to create healthy and eco-friendly homes and buildings.
A comprehensive and up-to-date online resource guide to suppliers, practitioners and courses.

Adam Weismann & Katy Bryce work with lime and clay on a daily basis through their company, Cob in Cornwall. They learned these skills through restoring ancient vernacular buildings in Cornwall, and then began to apply the traditional techniques and materials to contemporary `eco' builds. They have a passionate belief in the power of using these natural materials to benefit the health and well being of people, buildings and the environment. Adam and Katy are the authors of Building with Cob: A Step by Step Guide, also published by Green Books.