Earth Mixes

Claytec Plasters

Clay finish undercoat and self-coloured plasters are a blend of clay, fine aggregate and plant fibres, supplied as a dry powder. They have an indefinite shelf life if stored dry and require only mixing with clean water to be ready for use. They harden by drying - no chemical reaction takes place – and so remain workable for a long time and can be re-worked by the addition of water at any time. Clay finish and self-coloured plasters are suitable for use on internal surfaces of walls and ceilings. They attach by mechanical bonding to suitable stable and dry substrates, including masonry, clayboard, lime, base coat plasters and plaster-boards. They are a practical alternative to using gypsum or lime plasters and are compatible with ‘breathing’ construction in historic and new buildings. The self-coloured plasters provide a high quality, non-dusting, self-coloured finished surface without the need for further decoration.

Laths

Traditional hand riven laths were most commonly oak or chestnut. Riven laths are split along the grain of the wood by hand and provide a coarse surface that gives a more effective key when usiing lime plaster. Hand riven laths are also much stronger than sawn laths, and are therefore recommended for ceilings and walls. Our laths are sold in bundles of 50 in either 3ft, 3ft-6inch or 4ft lengths. Call for more details and carriage prices.

Staves

Vertical timbers for wattle panelling.

Split Hazel

Used for wattle panels (Special Order).

Clay Board

A composite board consisting of clay, reed and hessian. The reeds run along and across the board length and the board is faced on both sides with hessian. This acts as reinforcement and a plaster key. Clayboard is suitable for internal use in drywall construction on walls and ceilings. It is a practical alternative to using gypsum plasterboard and lath-and-plaster and is compatible with clay or lime -based plasters. The application of clay products in general influences the internal building environment by regulating temperature, absorbing moisture and odours and insulating against sound transfer.

Scrim

Reed Board

Reed Board is a rigid building board. It is made from natural reeds laid parallel and tightly bound using thin gauge galvanised wire. It is suitable for internal use as a base for plastering on walls and ceilings. It can be used against a solid background or over studs or joists as a practical alternative lining material to gypsum plasterboard and lath-and-plaster. The 20mm boards can be used as a curved backing for plaster. Reed boards are particularly suited to using with lime, clay or gypsum plasters in building restoration and new-build. They can be used unfinished to create feature walls, as an insulation board or to act as permanent formwork. They can be used externally in landscaping schemes to form natural partitions.