The advantages and disadvantages of decorating with lime wash.

As most people are watching the pennies, this may be useful.

Limewash was used in England for inside and outside decorating before the advent of modern paints.  As this is a ´wash´it is much thinner than modern paint...so it goes on much faster, but takes more coats to cover.  

With each coat, a layer of lime is added to the wall.  The water evaporates off and the lime reacts with the air to harden on the wall.  The look and feel works well here in Catalunya, as there is plenty of limestone around anyway.

The end result is a chalky matt finish that lets walls breathe...great for older casas with damp problems.

Odour free and very easy on the lungs..so good for people with allegies or those striving for a toxin free environment.

Costs less than half the cost of conventional paint...less if you have the time and inclanation to mature your own lime putty.

Now the disadvantages....

You have to wear gloves to paint it on.  Lime is highly caustic..it dries your skin..believe me, I´ve decorated a few rooms with it.
Once it´s dry it´s fine.

It will take 4-5 coats-maybe even more.  But each coat is very fast.

The chalky matt finish does not give a diamond hard finish like modern paints.

You´re wasting your time trying to cover new conventional plaster with it.

In summary....great for those people striving for an eco-finish or for covering a damp wall in your old casa.


Best wishes,
gavin