Natural Plasters and Healthy Homes
Clayworks clay plasters | Magri Wiiliams | Roslyn Road | © Nicholas Worley
Natural plasters made from materials such as clay and lime don’t just look beautiful. They are also a key ingredient for a heathy home.
We’re spending more time indoors than ever before and our buildings have become increasingly airtight. At the same time, the amount of toxins we’re exposed to (via a range of common building materials, furniture, floor furnishings, wall coatings and more) has increased. In addition, most internal walls are sealed off with acrylic paints or coatings, trapping this toxic air within the building along with high levels of moisture in the air itself.
According to studies shared via Clayworks Clay Plasters, more than half of the air we breathe in our lifetime is inhaled inside the home—another large percentage in the workplace. Various studies share that indoor air pollution levels are estimated to be 2-5 times higher than outdoors.
Choosing natural, breathable plasters such as clay or lime (without acrylics and/or additives) help to contribute to a healthy indoor environment as they contain no toxins and are breathable materials that help to regulate relative interior air humidity to an optimum level. This in turn inhibits the build up of mould, and reduces airborne bacteria levels.
Natural clay and lime plasters have added benefits including providing people with a sense of well being in their space and a sensory experience, linking them to nature. Added benefits include acoustic and odour absorbtion, thermal regulation and light balance.
Clayworks UK shares a wealth of information on how natural plasters, specifically clay, contribute to indoor building health and wellbeing. To learn more, click here.
Karmin Kenny
Founder