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A recent episode of Renovation Nation featured a product called organic . It was a plaster that was made with clay.
I took a geology class in college. I had this teacher. He was really into geology; it was probably some sort of neurosis. Whenever clay was mentioned, he’d go throw a tantrum about the regrettable geological characteristics of clay. We were all like, “Whoa there, professor!” Then he’d smile, mop his brow and tell us a fascinating story about silica.
That geology teacher was wrong about clay. Clay is awesome. Especially, when it's used as a plaster. The green benefits of organic earth plaster are many. Let me extol to you some of those advantages.
Unpigmented organic earth plasters don’t have any volatile organic compounds. If you were to use organic earth plasters on your home, it might be wise to pick an earthen tone. Some of the brighter colors may contain VOCs; so be careful. If your living space must be adorned by unearthly tones, look into compatible non-toxic paints or make sure that you buy a brand of organic earth plaster that has bright colors without the toxins.
When they make these earth plasters, they are forged at lower temperatures than gypsum-based plaster. This reduces the amount of greenhouse gases that go into our atmosphere.
Unfortunately, organic earth plasters aren’t as resistant to damage as regular plasters, but earth plasters are easier to fix. Another problem with these plasters is that they can succumb to damage in cases of severe humidity and moisture. Clays handle water in small to regular-size doses better than ordinary plaster does. It just doesn’t do extremes well.
If you live in a house that doesn’t suffer from bouts of severe humidity or wetness, organic earth plaster may be what’s best for your lungs and your walls.
This post was inspired by Renovation Nation.
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