Lime plasters are derived from hydrated lime or
grassello. Grassello is the result of a process where
mined limestone is fired in a kiln in order to extract
all of the moisture contained within the stone. From
there you have a very dry, lightweight stone that may
easily be ground into a powder. The powder is
re-hydrated with a certain amount of water to obtain
calcium hydroxide lime.
Historically, the grassello was aged in the ground.
Families would bury the grassello in a hole covered
with wet sand and use it at their own discretion. The
longer grassello is aged, the better it is.
The grassello that is used in our lime plaster is aged
for about nine months. The limestone used to make our
grassello is primarily mined from the Italian Alps and
the Berici Mounts in the Veneto region. It is nice to
think that every time we apply a lime plaster in a
home or business, we are literally giving the client a
piece of Italy and its history.
Advantages of Aerial Lime (hydrated lime)
- It is a natural finish, the raw material being
stone
- It is an ecological finish: once dry and cured
(carbonated) becomes stone and marble again
- It is a breathing finish (absorbs and releases
humidity)
- It is a healthy finish (avoids mold or
moss build-up)
- It is a disinfectant finish: the high PH (14)
kills all bacteria
- It is a finish for bio-architecture since it
does not release toxic substances
- It is meant for interiors and exteriors, after 28
days it becomes weatherproof
