Limewash — in Dutch kalei — is a thin, lime-based coating brushed or rolled onto a brick facade. In thickness it sits between painting and plastering: thicker than paint but thinner than a true render, so the texture of the brick stays visible. The result is a matt, slightly rough, even facade. (In building it is sometimes also called a lime slurry.)
Properties
- Vapour-open — the coating lets the wall “breathe”: moisture can escape from within, which helps prevent damp problems
- Filling — small irregularities, hairline cracks and colour differences in the brick are masked
- Protective and decorative — the layer shields against the weather and gives the facade a calm, weathered look
- Characteristic — the brick texture and the joints remain visible through the thin coat
Application
Limewashing is an old technique used above all on brick facades of churches, farmhouses and dwellings. It suits facades you want to give a cared-for yet authentic look without rendering them fully smooth.
Points to note
- Preferably use a lime-based product on a mineral substrate
- Apply in thin coats, and avoid full sun or frost so the layer dries and bonds slowly
Related terms
- Lime
- Facade
- Mortar
- Brick
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