Lime Plaster
traditional material with modern benefits
Brief history
Lime has been used since 4000BCE, during construction of pyramids but since the invention of Portland cement, around 19th century during the industrial revolution, lime starts to be less popular and cement became widely used instead. Cement was favored due to its fast setting time and cures harder than lime. However, we are starting to see a resurgence of lime in recent years due to its ecological benefits and sustainability.
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What is lime plaster?
Lime is produced from limestone. By burning limestone in a kiln, quicklime is produced, which is then slaked in water to form lime.
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Lime plaster is a mortar that is primarily made with lime, water and aggregates such as sand. Historically, it was mostly used as building construction material but recently, there is an uptrend for using it for various decorative finishes. Due to this, there are many kinds of "modern lime plaster" created by different manufacturers where resins are added to improve on workability and bonding. Aftertouch Works has both traditional and modern lime plasters.
why you should lime plaster?
Lime is a timeless classic finish
Lime enhances the character of any space by its soft hues and varied textures. As it ages, it develops a beautiful patina, adding more character.​
Lime is anti-bacterial, mould and mildew resistant
Lime has a high pH naturally, inhibiting growth of bacteria, mould and mildew. It is a must to have for those who are advocates of healthy living environment
Lime is the ultimate green material.
Lime is sustainable material as it is part of the lime cycle. Originating from limetone, lime plaster will slowly to become limestone again.​​
Lime is breathable and regulates hummidity
Lime absorbs excess moisture when humidity is high and releases moisture when air is dry, leading to a more comfortable living environment.
Great Places to apply lime plaster
Getting started on your renovation or remodelling a space?
Here we listed down 4 places where lime plaster will perform best.
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Some links worth mentioning
Straw Bale House Build - Youtube
How To Lime Plaster A Wall FOR BEGINNERS | Full Process START TO FINISH!
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What is included in our lime plaster application?
Day 1: Surface Preparation
Patching of holes
Light sanding
Apply primer
Day 2: Basecoat Application​
Max 2 basecoats
Day 3: Topcoat Application
Minimum 2 coats, to approved texture
Day 4-5: Sealer Application
Natural soap
Hydrophobic agent (for wet areas)
Natural wax
Useful Resources
For our rates & PDF guide on getting about works in bathroom, Click Here
Ready to start? Get in touch with us
top 5 Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the difference between lime plaster and limewash paint? A: Lime plaster is a 2-3mm coating while limewash paint is less 0.5mm thick. Essentially it means lime plaster is more durable and it can be used to make old walls look new. Limewash is a thin coating, so it cannot level old walls, and requires a skim coat plaster application before that.
Q: How do I maintain lime plaster? A: You can use a damp cloth and mild detergent for everyday general cleaning. For deeper stains, you can use a fine sandpaper, around #400 grit or finer. For bathrooms walls, we recommend once a year to reseal the walls. For fuss-free, you can engage us directly for our "clean and seal" service
Q: Can I use lime plaster for floors? A: Theoretically, yes you can. But practically, you should not as lime sets slow, over months. Furthermore, you can't add a clear protective coat as it will disrupt the curing process.
Q: Do you have a catalog? A: No we don't. Aftertouch is a bespoke applicator for hand applied finishes. We customize every single mix for each project, including the sand sizes and the lime:sand ratio, to achieve the target look. We highly encourage our clients not to limit themselves to catalogs, but to find an inspiration photo and share it with us. We will then use it as a base to customise our mix.
Q: What is soaping? A: Soaping is a traditional, but powerful method of sealing lime plaster finishes. The fatty acids in the soap reacts with the alkaline calcium hydroxide in lime, to form calcium stearate which protects your walls from within. After soaping your lime plastered walls, it becomes highly water repelling, but still breathable