Decorative
clay plaster

Composition

Clay, dolomite and sedimentary rock. Zero VOC. Cement-free composition.

Close-up of a Claystone natural-stone-effect finish (Matonge site, Brussels), with trowel ridges, smoothed areas and pulled-out patches, in a sand/taupe shade under raking light.

Decorative clay plaster is a natural mineral interior finish for walls and other surfaces. It brings a natural texture and colour while retaining the hygroscopic properties of clay.

The material

What is decorative clay plaster?

Decorative clay plaster is an interior and exterior mineral finish based on clay, dolomite and sedimentary rock, combined with a liquid polymer binder. The clay acts as the fine matrix that gives texture and colour, while the dolomite and sediments provide the filler and surface hardness. The composition contains no cement.

The plaster remains open to water vapour and lets the wall breathe, while the finishing protection provides resistance to foot traffic and cleaning. The surface resembles microcement or polished stone, without borrowing their materials.

This dual character, mineral and hard-wearing, makes the plaster suitable for a variety of substrates, from interior walls to living-area floors, worktops and bathroom furniture. The look depends on the finish, whether matt, satin or polished, and the colour is chosen from a natural palette.

It is manufactured in Belgium, in Schaerbeek, by ClayLime Nature. The product is supplied ready to use, with no volatile additives.

Installation

Installation & uses

It is applied in two coats, wet-on-wet, with a finishing trowel or a spatula, on a prepared, even substrate. A bonding primer is applied beforehand to even out the absorption of the substrate. The total thickness remains low, which allows it to be applied over existing floors without raising floor levels.

The product is suitable for interior and exterior walls, living-area floors, worktops and bathroom furniture. The final protection is matched to the use, with a water-repellent, stain-resistant varnish for surfaces exposed to water or dirt.

This continuity of material lets one surface run into the next without a visible joint, which simplifies how a room reads. The finish can be polished, satin or matt, depending on the craftsperson's hand.

Routine maintenance is limited to cleaning with water or a mild soap. At end of life, the plaster can be removed mechanically from the substrate and be returned to a mineral recycling route.

Living room with pale clay-plastered walls, fireplace and large window — Living room with pale clay-plastered walls.

Applying Claystone during a ClayLime training course, the freshly mixed clay mortar in the bucket with a stainless-steel trowel standing in it, test boards drying in the background. — Applying Claystone during a ClayLime training course.

Niche set into a clay-plastered wall, with softened edges — Niche set into a clay-plastered wall.

About the producer

ClayLime Nature is a Belgian producer of decorative mineral plasters, based in Schaerbeek. The range covers clay-based finishes, such as Claystone and Wonderstone, and fine lime plasters, such as Creatina, MonoSoft and TadelaktPro, all cement-free.

Each formulation is developed for a specific use, from interior walls to wet surfaces, with the associated undercoats and varnishes. The producer works with a network of trained craftspeople and provides technical support on site.

See the technical data