Product Description

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.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #19286 in Books
• Published on: 2008-05-09
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 264 pages

Review
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. --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

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

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

Customer Reviews

Excellent Book
This is an extremely useful and well-researched practical guide. Would recommend it to anyone thinking of doing any lime plastering/rendering - and this from a plasterer with 20 years' experience! Paul Fitzpatrick

Great detail and explanations from experienced practitioners
I found this book very useful in that it explains the processes involved and in great detail helping you understand what is happening on your wall. The illustrated techniques are also useful although don't replace good quality training. Some tools and techniques photos are not great. The range of plasters and renders covered is excellent and gives you lots of ideas. Overall, a great reference book that will help you one your way even if only to understand the language, tools and techniques enough to employ a contractor doing this type of work.