To keep good plaster where it belongs, on walls and ceilings: proper plaster bases.

Plaster Bases for Clay and Lime: From Traditional Reed to Modern Wire Reinforcement

Plaster bases are essential for a stable, solid plaster build-up. They must be rough and firmly bonded to the substrate. A clay plaster in particular, which, unlike a lime plaster, does not form a chemical bond with the deeper plaster layers or with the existing wall, needs fine irregularities and a rough substrate to grip onto.
In clay construction, reed or thatching-reed mats have proven particularly effective as plaster bases: parallel stalks bound together with galvanised wire. They are suitable for large-area applications, for bridging beams in timber framing or timber stud construction, and even as a fixing aid for wall heating. As they are also produced in multi-layer versions, these thick mats act as both insulation and plaster base at the same time. Of course, thatching reed and reed require no pesticides, preservatives or other harmful substances, either during growth or during processing into a building material. In addition, thin hemp mats, which are slurried with clay and thus bonded to the wall, serve as plaster bases that, when laid with overlaps, also provide protection against draughts. They carry thin, light coats of finishing plaster and are easy to work over large areas. These mats can also replace the reinforcement, so the additional plaster coat for the mesh can be omitted. If you use wood fibre boards as internal insulation, you have a plaster base for the final clay plaster straight away. The true traditionalists will, of course, also find the time-honoured building materials at Lehm-Laden: clay-wrapped staves and willow rods for building the walls and ceilings of half-timbered houses or Umgebinde houses the authentic way. For lime plasters, especially on heavily weathered façades of half-timbered houses, meshes made of thin stainless steel wire or galvanised steel wire are suitable. For less exposed or less problematic surfaces, lime bonding plaster is usually applied to the smooth masonry as a plaster base. It is applied as a classic spatterdash coat over the full surface with a notched trowel or in dabs with a masonry brush. The roughened surface can then be plastered with clay or lime. The range is large and the products are optimised for their respective applications. Before you buy a plaster base at Lehm-Laden, please find out all you need to know and take a look at the range. If you have any questions, we will of course be happy to advise you.