Michael Henry - Essential Natural Plasters: A Guide to Materials, Recipes, and Use

Praise for

Essential Natural Plasters

More than a book on plasters, Essential Natural Plasters delves deep into the world of natural building, explaining the detailing and function of walls finished with natural plasters in addition to the fundamentals of plasters made from earth, lime, and gypsum. It covers the spectrum of natural plasters, providing fundamental advice on mixing, application, and finishing, but also discusses often overlooked details such as masking and maintenance. Including tons of recipes, Essential Natural Plasters should be in the hands of every natural builder.

Kyle Holzhueter, PhD, First Degree Certified Plasterer, Permaculture Center, Kamimomi, Japan

This is hands down the most comprehensive book on natural plasters that Ive ever read. The authors include information youd expect in a textbook, yet they write in a clear, easy-to-read style. Everything youd want to know about natural plaster is included from preparation and planning, through choosing materials, application techniques, and even recipes. Essential Natural Plasters is indeed essential for every natural builders library!

Sigi Koko, Down to Earth Designs, www.buildnaturally.com

From an engineers point-of-view, plaster can be both a weak point and a strength in a natural material wall assembly. Tina and Michael, supported by their myriad plastering guru contributors, have curated a wonderfully broad and incredibly detailed recipe book for anyone who wants to work with natural plasters. There is background on a wide variety of materials, wisdom from many projects, and inspiration galore here. For anyone from beginner wall finisher to expert plasterer, this is a valuable resource one that moves the state of the art forward here in North America.

Tim Krahn, P. Eng., structural engineer at Building Alternatives Inc.

Essential Natural Plasters: A Guide to Materials, Recipes, and Use is aptly named. Tina Therrien and Michael Henry have delivered a thorough and honest easy-to-read guide for anyone interested or working in the natural plaster field. This book guides the reader through the stages of plaster work, beginning with onsite and personal safety and closing with much-needed coverage calculations that only a professional would know. They have given the reader an unprecedented 27 plaster recipes from around the world developed by professionals to help guide others in the complex and temperamental field of working with natural materials. The information in the book will save others years of personal study and experimentation. I wish I had this book 20 years ago when I started out!

Janine Bjornson, Natural Builder, Educator, and Consultant

Tina Therrien and Michael Henry have created a superb, comprehensive, and well-illustrated guide to natural plasters. Drawing on their own extensive experience, and the experience and wisdom of other leaders in this field, they have woven together a treasure trove of practical and insightful information about materials, processes, decision-making, recipes, tricks of the trade, and essential practices.

David Eisenberg, Director, Development Center for Appropriate Technology

Essential Natural Plasters is the book Ive been waiting for clear, concise, and thorough knowledge delivered in a thoughtfully organized format. Finally, a book for plasterers by plasterers with a fountain of knowledge on the subject and a killer selection of recipes, to boot. This is easily my new go-to resource for all things natural plaster in North America.

Ziggy Liloia, owner, instructor, builder, The Year of Mud, www.theyearofmud.com

Essential Natural Plasters is definitely an essential book for anyone wanting to understand the complex art of mixing and applying appropriate natural plasters both inside and outside their building project. The authors have drawn on their extensive experience as professional plasterers, as well as the expertise of numerous others well-versed in the art of plastering. The myriad recipes for specific plasters for virtually every application is well worth the price of the book alone.

Kelly Hart, author, Essential Earthbag Construction and founder, www.greenhomebuilding.com

Born-again natural builders, in these pages you can hear the voices of the past researcher and former educator who are the authors. Essential Natural Plasters is one part carefully detailed cookbook to three parts practical, shared experience, blended deftly with an admixture of inspiration and a dash of humor. Together, Tina and Michael reveal the great secret recipe that is natural plastering: experiment, fail, repeat, enjoy!

Ben Polley, co-founder, Evolve Builders Group Inc, founder, Fermata Works of Earth

Series editors

Chris Magwood and Jen Feigin

Title list

Essential Hempcrete Construction, Chris Magwood

Essential Prefab Straw Bale Construction, Chris Magwood

Essential Building Science, Jacob Deva Racusin

Essential Light Straw Clay Construction, Lydia Doleman

Essential Sustainable Home Design, Chris Magwood

Essential Cordwood Building, Rob Roy

Essential Earthbag Construction, Kelly Hart

Essential Natural Plasters, Michael Henry & Tina Therrien

See www.newsociety.com/SBES for a complete list of new and forthcoming series titles.

THE SUSTAINABLE BUILDING ESSENTIALS SERIES covers the full range of natural and green building techniques with a focus on sustainable materials and methods and code compliance. Firmly rooted in sound building science and drawing on decades of experience, these large-format, highly illustrated manuals deliver comprehensive, practical guidance from leading experts using a well-organized step-by-step approach. Whether your interest is foundations, walls, insulation, mechanical systems, or final finishes, these unique books present the essential information on each topic including:

Material specifications, testing, and building code references

Plan drawings for all common applications

Tool lists and complete installation instructions

Finishing, maintenance, and renovation techniques

Budgeting and labor estimates

Additional resources

Written by the worlds leading sustainable builders, designers, and engineers, these succinct, user-friendly handbooks are indispensable tools for any project where accurate and reliable information is key to success. GET THE ESSENTIALS!

Copyright 2018 by Michael Henry & Tina Therrien. All rights reserved.

Cover design by Diane McIntosh. Cover images property of the authors.

Illustrations by Dale Brownson.

Background photo author supplied.

Printed in Canada. First printing April 2018.

This book is intended to be educational and informative. It is not intended to serve as a guide. The author and publisher disclaim all responsibility for any liability, loss or risk that may be associated with the application of any of the contents of this book.

Inquiries regarding requests to reprint all or part of Essential Natural Plasters should be addressed to New Society Publishers at the address below. To order directly from the publishers, please call toll-free (North America) 1-800-567-6772, or order online at www.newsociety.com