Lime Versus Cement – Why Choose Lime?

KG Plastering Suffolk uses lime as it is the recommended choice for use by building associations because of the many benefits it portrays. The eco-friendly nature it characterizes gives it a huge head start over cement products. The fact that it lasts longer than all our ages combined is also an excellent reason to choose lime over cement.

Over the years, cement has been the go-to plastering material of choice. The industrial craze that saw the upcoming skyscrapers needed a plastering material that could support these structures. The go-to product was cement, and because it hadn’t been previously used, its shortcomings were not known.

Apart from the apparent advantages of lime, though, there are varying differences that will make you want to demolish your cement plastered building and rebuild another with lime.

#1. Soft

Lime is softer than cement. It is more delicate than the bricks it is supposed to bind. Buildings are prone to constant ground vibrations and movements. As much we may not notice these movements, the building will react to it through cracks. Due to lime’s softness, it can withstand the slight ground motions without the building cracking or giving in to the pressure. Over time, lime will erode but still live the bricks intact. No wonder we are still able to find some old structures built centuries ago still standing despite the toil harsh weather has dealt them.

Cement is hard and cracks at the slightest pressure. The hardness is harsh on the bricks it supports as with time, it will force them to break. Buildings that were plastered with cement fade away faster and cannot last for decades as those of lime did.

#2. Breathability

Lime is vapor permeable. It allows free evaporation of water vapor. The building is therefore dry all the time and cannot suffer mold resulting from dampness.

Cement doesn’t allow evaporation. Thus, the humidity is trapped in it. The effect is dampness and mold development if the problem is not taken care of soon enough. The timber used for building rots, too, as a result of the moisture. The stones and metals used also weaken, making the building unsafe for occupation.

#3. Eco-Friendly

Saving the environment is more of a priority nowadays than it was years before. Everybody from the youth to our grandparents is complaining about how cold or hot it is nowadays. Everyone is talking about global warming and how adversely our actions have affected it. No wonder buildings coming up have to comply with environmental safety standards.

Between cement and lime, lime is more eco-friendly. It is also carbon-neutral. If you want to renovate your lime plastered house, you can re-use the lime mortar. You can just crash it and re-mix the plaster material to re-use in plastering your home.

The breathability status of lime allows you to reuse building materials such as wood, stone, and metal. Even after the building’s lifespan, you can rebuild using rocks, wood, and metal from the old structure. These materials are not destroyed.

On the other hand, cement traps in humidity, therefore, over time, the wood used in building rots. The stones and iron cannot also be re-used because they are weak. Cement often ends up in landfills if it can’t be used for rough roads or such places. It is even more harmful to the environment. The manufacturers of cement produce at least ten percent of carbon monoxide, which contributes to global warming. Adhesive also comprises a considerable amount of heavy metals that are harmful to the soil.

#4. Warm

Lime has large pores that are filled with air. It is thus a warm material to plaster your house with.

Do you often wonder why the house you live in is so cold? You shouldn’t ask yourself anymore because the reason is cement plastering. Cement is denser, and because it isn’t vapor-permeable, the house remains cold. It has few pores. Sometimes this cold contributes to mold development inside the house.

#5. Antibacterial

Lime was used in the past to disinfect cellars naturally. You simply painted the vault with lime, and it was cleared of bacteria for a while. Due to its alkaline nature, lime serves as an antibacterial product. It kills molds naturally.

Conclusion

For the sake of environment conservation and living in a healthier atmosphere, lime plastering should be your product of choice. The internal framework of your building also doesn’t deteriorate from rotting and weakness caused by damp walls and floors. The best reason is that you get a stunning finish both inside and outside your house. The building will also last for years, just like those we read about in history books and travel to view.