Lime Plastering
Lime plaster is a breathable, traditional wall finish used on solid masonry buildings to support natural moisture movement and long-term wall health. It is particularly suited to heritage and older buildings where modern cement-based plasters can restrict breathability and contribute to damp-related issues.
Traditional lime plastering for heritage and older masonry buildings across NSW and Australia
What is Lime Plaster?
Lime plaster is made using lime, sand, and water, and may also include natural fibres such as horse hair or goat hair, depending on the application. It is applied in thin coats and allowed to cure slowly over time. Unlike modern gypsum or cement plasters, lime plaster remains vapour-permeable, allowing moisture within the wall to move and evaporate naturally.
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This breathability helps moisture to be drawn away from the surface rather than trapped within the wall, supporting more balanced moisture movement in older masonry buildings constructed with brick, stone, or sandstone. These buildings were designed to manage moisture naturally, rather than be sealed by hard, impermeable finishes.
A Material Used for Centuries.
Lime plaster has been used for thousands of years and remains one of the oldest wall finishes in the world. From historic cottages and farmhouses to churches and early public buildings, lime has played a central role in traditional construction across the world.
Many homes and heritage buildings across NSW and Australia, were originally finished with lime plaster. Problems often arise when these finishes are replaced with hard, modern materials that behave very differently to the original construction.
Why Use Lime Plaster
Breathability and Moisture Movement
Traditional lime plaster is naturally breathable, allowing walls to release moisture rather than trapping it within the structure. This vapour permeability supports more balanced moisture movement in older masonry buildings, particularly where modern, impermeable materials can contribute to damp-related issues.
Strength with Flexibility
Lime plaster can be reinforced with traditional natural fibres such as horse hair or goat hair, helping to improve cohesion and resistance to cracking. Unlike rigid modern finishes, lime remains more accommodating of slight building movement, which is common in older structures. This flexibility helps reduce stress on the surface over time when applied correctly.
A Natural, Authentic Finish
Lime plaster provides a soft, subtle finish that reflects the character of traditional buildings. Its texture and variation are inherent to the material and application, creating surfaces that feel appropriate to older homes rather than uniform or artificial. The result is a finish that sits comfortably within heritage and period settings, where each wall unlike the other showcasing the natural beauty of lime.
Supports Healthier Internal Environments
By allowing walls to breathe and moisture to move naturally, lime plaster can contribute to more stable internal conditions in a home. Reducing trapped moisture within walls may help limit the conditions that encourage surface condensation and mould growth, supporting a more comfortable and balanced indoor environment over time.
Why Terra Lime Heritage?
At Terra Lime Heritage, lime plastering is approached as a craft rather than a product. My foundations in traditional lime work were formed in the UK’s Lake District while training and working under Brad O’Leary of Lake District Property Renovator, a widely recognised figure in traditional lime craftsmanship and heritage building conservation.
Working in one of the most demanding heritage environments in the world shaped my understanding of how lime performs in real conditions, particularly in buildings affected by moisture. That experience now informs the way I approach lime plastering in Australia, applying traditional methods with care, restraint, and respect for the building.
Every project is assessed individually to ensure lime plaster is suitable and applied correctly, with the aim of supporting the long-term health and character of the building rather than offering quick or incompatible fixes.
