Limewash

Lime-washed buildings can amaze many of its admirers today. Historically in Ireland, lime-wash was commonplace as a protective and decorative treatment, particularly suitable for application onto solid, porous materials.
It is one of the most vapour permeable decorative coatings and is a highly appropriate finish on new (non-cementious) and historic buildings.

Lime-wash is a mixture of slaked lime (calcium hydroxide) in water, which sets slowly by absorbing carbon dioxide from the air. The chemical reaction that occurs produces crystals (of calcite) that have a dual refractive index; light entering each crystal is reflected back in duplicate. This results in the wonderful surface glow that is characteristic of lime-washed surfaces, and is not found in other decorative finishes.

Stoneware Studios offer a range of lime-washes in a variety of traditional colours using well-sieved and mature lime putty and combinations of earth and mineral pigments.