Straight-cut and bundled horse hair for additional flexural and tensile strength to reduce the potential of cracking in traditional lime mortars and renders. Available in 1kg bags supplied as multiple bundles.
£22.61 £27.13 inc VAT
In stock
Please contact us on 01208 79779 for a lead time for this product.
Horse hair is a traditional mortar addition for the reinforcement in lime renders and plasters to improve flexural and tensile strength to reduce the potential of shrinkage cracking.
Adding plastering hair, like horse hair, is a long-standing practice that has been trusted by craftspersons for centuries.
Plastering hair within a render or plaster helps to form an effective key within the first two coats of plaster, especially for walls built with lath.
We stock pre-bundled horse hair, ready for preparation and use in lime mortars, renders and plasters. Available in 1kg bags supplied as multiple bundles.
Horsehair should be introduced into the mix by teasing the hair into the mortar or render. Once added, ensure the horse hair is distributed evenly throughout the mixture. As general guidance, several minutes of thorough mixing is typically sufficient.
Always mix animal hair immediately before use. As lime is alkaline, animal hair will degrade over time in a wet mix, so only mix as much mortar as you can use.
The use of horse hair in renders and plasters is ideal for walls with a lath background to assist with creating an effective mechanical key. As general guidance, add the horse hair to the first two coats of lime render or plaster but not the final setting coat. For more guidance on using hair or fibres, see our application guide, Adding Hair or Fibres to Lime Mortar.
See the Technical Data and Documentation section for detailed product information, application guidance, and datasheets. Always review any available documents before use. Each project is unique, always seek professional advice before undertaking a project.
Type
Animal
colour
Multicolour
Weight
1kg
Length
Mixed
Always read any available datasheets and documentation before use.
Stock Quantities and Lead Times
Stock quantities and lead times are estimated and may differ or increase based on the order size and shipping method. If your timeline is sensitive, get in touch with the team.
Palletforce
Pallet orders with Palletforce Economy are typically dispatched from Cornish Lime within 1-2 business days, providing your item is in stock and not made-to-order. Once dispatched, Palletforce will deliver your order within 3-5 business days, depending on your location. Please ensure that your site can accommodate articulated lorries or similar-sized vehicles.
Local Delivery
The Cornish Lime team provides local delivery with a 18-tonne vehicle with a crane to assist with unloading. You will be contacted by phone to arrange delivery and ensure your site can accommodate our vehicle.
APC Parcel Courier
Orders shipped by APC parcel courier are typically shipped the next business day and arrive within 2-3 business days, providing your item is in stock and not made-to-order. APC will contact you via email with delivery information, and orders can be tracked on the APC website.
Premium or Expedited Service
For a premium or expedited delivery service, please get in touch to discuss if this option is available for your order.
For further information, see our delivery information page.
Historically, animal hair was teased and mixed into the bonding or backing coats of lime render and plaster to provide additional reinforcement, with the aim to prevent or minimise shrinkage, especially with variable quality background like lath or mixed materials. Animal hair with a coarse texture, such as that from goats, cows, and horses, can often be found in historic renders or plasters. Evidence of other reinforcement types has been found, including hemp or jute fibres, but the use of hair is relatively universal for this role.
The amount of hair to add to a lime render or plaster will vary depending on the application. As a general guide, 2-4kg of horse hair per m3 is a good starting point. Ultimately, the more hair you can include, the better. However, the material must be workable enough to be applied. For example, if your material is too stiff on lath, you won’t form an effective key.
Using hair or fibres is ideal for traditional lath and plaster applications. Which you choose will depend on the project’s requirements, budget, and personal preference. Either way, the hair or fibres should be added to the first two coats, not the final setting coat.
Animal hair is undoubtedly the traditional choice. Historic mortars often use a range of animal hair, but it’s not uncommon to find hair from goats, cows, or horses. Modern synthetic fibres are a budget-friendly and effective alternative that can be easily added to the mixer without teasing. Both assist with flexural and tensile strength and help reduce the likelihood of cracking and shrinkage for renders and plasters. An in-house favourite is our Bellmix Flock fibres, which allow for a greater surface contact area for the mortar matrix.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.