Having been 'house Dad' for the last 3 weeks, due to a sore back, all credit must be given to Nicky and Greg for pushing forward with the exterior clay plastering against all odds. However with the two types of clay arriving in the nick of time; all the surrounding window insulation stuffing (that seemed to take weeks!) completed; plaster mix experiments analysed and straw wall hole stuffing eventually finished. The last, but no means small, task prior to the main plastering was to achieve a 'level playing field'. This involved making up heaps of clay-straw mix (found to be best produced in a cement mixer) and building out any low areas to the level of the main wall. Mainly around windows and the stuffed holes (where only the deeper recesses are stuffed with dry straw).
We pretty much followed the tried and tested formula of 'slip' coat then 'body' coat. The former, with a feel of thick cream, is sprayed on and then hand rubbed in. This provides the binding between the straw and the more structural body coat. This being an aggregate & fibre rich clay plaster, usually applied in 2 goes, totalling 40mm approx.
The body coat is put on by hand and is where all the fun can be had! It is a very forgiving plaster, like using straw bales as opposed to brick, and so most people find it a very satisfying experience. Thank you so much to everybody who turned up.
Having been 'house Dad' for the last 3 weeks, due to a sore back, all credit must be given to Nicky and Greg for pushing forward with the exterior clay plastering against all odds. However with the two types of clay arriving in the nick of time; all the surrounding window insulation stuffing (that seemed to take weeks!) completed; plaster mix experiments analysed and straw wall hole stuffing eventually finished. The last, but no means small, task prior to the main plastering was to achieve a 'level playing field'. This involved making up heaps of clay-straw mix (found to be best produced in a cement mixer) and building out any low areas to the level of the main wall. Mainly around windows and the stuffed holes (where only the deeper recesses are stuffed with dry straw).
We pretty much followed the tried and tested formula of 'slip' coat then 'body' coat. The former, with a feel of thick cream, is sprayed on and then hand rubbed in. This provides the binding between the straw and the more structural body coat. This being an aggregate & fibre rich clay plaster, usually applied in 2 goes, totalling 40mm approx. 
The body coat is put on by hand and is where all the fun can be had! It is a very forgiving plaster, like using straw bales as opposed to brick, and so most people find it a very satisfying experience. Thank you so much to everybody who turned up.
1 comment:
Enjoyed viewing your fascinating project...all the best
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