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BUILD Plaster System for exterior Light Straw-Clay

Earthaus BUILD is an innovative pozzolanic hydraulic lime (PHL) plaster system designed for application over light straw-clay construction. Earthaus BUILD Plasters are made with US-sourced natural materials and provide a high-performance, eco-friendly solution for breathable exterior and interior plaster finishes.

BUILD Plaster System for interior Light Straw-Clay

The Earthaus BUILD Plaster System is formulated to support the unique requirements of light straw-clay construction. BUILD plasters offer exceptional durability to protect adobe walls, while maintaining breathability and allowing moisture to release, thus reducing the risk of mold and structural issues. In addition, the slow, steady strength gain of pozzolanic hydraulic lime can accommodate for early structural movement which reduces the potential for cracking. 

The BUILD Plaster System for light straw-clay is standardized, yet versatile enough to be modified based on the specific needs of each project.

Earthaus BUILD | Light Straw-Clay Guide

BUILD Materials

PHL Binder (Pozzolanic Hydraulic Lime)

Scratch + Brown Base Coats

Made with hydrated lime and pumice pozzolan, Earthaus PHL Binder creates a breathable and functional base coat plaster system that is strong yet flexible. The “pozzolan” in PHL Binder refers to the ancient Italian name for volcanic materials that react with lime to create a strong cementitious mix. PHL Binder requires the addition of locally sourced sand aggregate to improve structural integrity, increase its volume, and to reduce shrinkage during drying. Sand aggregate can be sourced at sand and gravel yards, landscape materials suppliers, and stucco and masonry supply yards. A thorough guide to sourcing local sand is provided in the PHL Binder Installation Guide.

SCRATCH COAT | PHL Binder

The 3/8" PHL Binder scratch coat functions to create a mechanical bond to the substrate and give texture (tooth) for the brown coat. The scratch coat is horizontally scratched ¼” deep with a scarifier tool.


Size : 50 lbs / bag
Cost: $45 / bag
Coverage: 75 ft², may vary based on the condition of the substrate
Added Sand: Three 5-gallon buckets of sand aggregate to one bag of PHL Binder

BROWN COAT | PHL Binder

The 1/2" PHL Binder brown coat functions to build the plaster to a uniform level and create the final shape of the walls.

Size : 50 lbs / bag
Cost: $45 / bag
Coverage: 75 ft²
Added Sand: Five 5-gallon buckets of sand aggregate to one bag of PHL Binder

Go to the PHL Binder Calculator and select Light Straw-Clay + your project square footage to calculate the quantity of PHL Binder needed for a project. The calculator will show calculations for both scratch and brown coat quantities.

LIME STUCCO FINISHES (TWO TEXTURE OPTIONS)

Fine & Coarse Finishes

Earthaus Lime Stucco Finishes are made with hydrated lime, pumice pozzolan, and carefully selected aggregates. Lime Stucco requires the addition of water and mineral pigment color is optional. Lime Stucco Fine and Coarse Finishes are formulated to be applied over Earthaus PHL Lime Binder base coats, but may be used over other base coat systems.

FINE FINISH

Aesthetic: Smooth and refined texture, smooth from a distance

Application: Lime Stucco Fine Finish is applied as a ⅛” wet-on-wet, “double backed” coat and is troweled smooth to achieve a fine smooth texture. Lime Stucco Fine Finish can be pigmented in any Earthaus Palette or a Custom Color.

Size: 32 lb / bag
Cost: $50 / bag
Coverage:
100 ft²

COARSE FINISH

Aesthetic: Sandy texture, suede from a distance

Application: Lime Stucco Coarse Finish is applied in a single ¼” coat and typically finished with a sponge float to achieve the coarse sandy texture. Lime Stucco Coarse Finish can be pigmented in any Earthaus Palette or a Custom Color.

Size: 32 lb / bag
Cost: $45 / bag
Coverage
: 50 ft²

Go to the Fine Finish Calculator or Coarse Finish Calculator, and enter your project square footage + color to calculate the quantity of Lime Stucco needed for your project.

PIGMENT OPTIONS

Bulk Mineral Pigment or Mineral Pigment Packs

Fine & Coarse Lime Stucco Finishes can be pigmented in any standard Earthaus Palette color or tinted in Custom Color

Lime Stucco | Color Palette
Custom Color | Information & Request

Bulk Mineral Pigment

Available by the pound, bulk mineral pigment is measured by weight. Color recipe is provided for a single bag of Lime Stucco.

Pigment names are different than Color Palette names. Click here to see a visual representation of our 12 Mineral Pigments.

Cost: $15 / pound

Mineral Pigment Pack

Mineral Pigment Packs are pre-measured packets of pigment and are mixed in, one per bag of Lime Stucco

Cost: $15 - $35, depending on the color

Both Bulk Pigment + Mineral Pigment options will show in Lime Stucco Finish Calculators.

Frequently Asked Questions