MUD MUD PLASTERS AND RENDERS The traditional use of mud plasters
and renders to coat and protect walls dates back a very long
time and is found in almost all regions of the world. Finishing
a house with mud plaster when the house itself has been built
with earth is a natural, complementary technique, but mud
plasters can also be used for buildings of stone and fired brick
provided they incorporate an earth-based mortar for the joints.
Earth-based plasters often use earth in combination with other
natural materials such as wheat straw or cow dung, or with
mineral additives such as bitumen, to improve the basic
qualities of the earth by acting as stabilisers, hardeners, and
waterproofers. Even without additives, however, mud plasters and
renders can give excellent results provided that they are made
and applied with skill and care, and maintained regularly.
Today, with low-cost mass housing a priority and with the
increasing interest in the preservation of architectural
heritage, the need for plastering materia