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Cornish Lime CLM28F Fibered Coarse Putty Mortar & Basecoat Render
A fibered mortar and render with a coarse texture for building or as a basecoat renders.
Cornish Lime CLM28 Coarse Lime Putty Mortar & Basecoat Render
A popular coarse buff multipurpose mortar and render for building work or as a basecoat render.
Cornish Lime CLM35 Fine Lime Putty Mortar & Topcoat Render
A multipurpose mortar and render with a fine texture and buff coloured finish for narrow joint.
Cornish Lime CLM66 Superfine Putty Finishing Plaster
A smooth internal finishing plaster with a superfine texture and refined natural white finish.
Why lime putty renders & plasters?
Lime has been the principal binder in plasters and renders for millennia worldwide. In the UK, most buildings constructed before 1900 were built using lime. Lime putty plasters and renders fall within the broader category of non-hydraulic lime products.
Produced by slaking calcium oxide (quicklime) with water to form calcium hydroxide, lime putty remains a core product at Cornish Lime. We have manufactured high-calcium lime putty since 1993, using quicklime sourced from Buxton, Derbyshire, and maturing it traditionally in pits after slaking.
Non-hydraulic lime plasters and renders harden through carbonation as they react with carbon dioxide in the air. This process requires moisture and takes longer than hydraulic alternatives. The result is a soft, porous and flexible material that manages moisture within the building fabric and accommodates the subtle movement of traditional buildings, supporting their long-term health.
Unlike modern cavity wall construction, solid-walled buildings rely on breathable materials to manage the moisture always present in the fabric. Our range covers everything from coarse basecoats and roughcast renders to superfine internal finishing plasters, providing a breathable, flexible and durable solution for all layers of traditional solid-walled construction. Suitable for stone, brick, cob and modern wood-wool carrier boards, they are ideal for both internal and external applications.
Combined with carefully selected sands chosen for their mineralogy, colour and texture, our mature lime putty mortars are a trusted choice for experienced builders, skilled plasterers and informed DIY users alike. Looking for a lime putty mortar for building or pointing? Browse our full range.
Available in 20kg tubs, mini bags or bulk bags, ready for local or nationwide delivery.
Need help choosing the right product? Our in-house experts can advise on suitable lime plasters and renders for your next project. Buy online or open a trade account with convenient delivery across the UK.
Need support? Get in touch with the team.
Get In TouchFAQs
Lime putty plaster and render is a non-hydraulic material made by mixing lime putty, a lime that was slaked with water, to carefully selected sands. It hardens slowly through carbonation as it reacts with carbon dioxide in the air, creating a soft, porous and flexible finish. Our range includes coarse, medium, fine and superfine sands suitable for everything from basecoats, scratch coats, float coats to smoother subsequent coats.
Depending on your substrate, you may require a two coat or three coat application. For basecoats, roughcasting or scratch coats a lime putty render or plaster with a coarser sand it often ideal. For rendering that require additional reinforcement, a coarse fibered basecoat, such as our CLM28F Fibred Coarse Putty Mortar & Basecoat Render is worth considering. For subsequent coats, such as the float coat, topcoat or a fine finish coat, a lime putty render or plaster with a fine sand is ideal. The finest and smoothest lime putty plaster in our range is our CLM66 Superfine Putty Finishing Plaster, popular for internal walls and those looking for a traditional aesthetic.
Different materials offer different benefits. There is no good or bad material and no single solution for preventing damp. However, using a breathable render or plaster on traditional solid walled buildings can significantly help manage the moisture that is always present in the fabric by allowing it to move in and out
Like a lime putty mortars, putty renders and plasters don’t necessarily “set”. Instead, they gain strength through carbonation. The material begins to firm up in the first few days, but full carbonation can take weeks to months depending on temperature and humidity.
As lime putty renders plasters rely on carbonation to build strength it’s ability to be used in damp, wet and cold environments is limited. As such, we always advise using lime putty renders externally when the swallows are home, roughly from April to September or October. Internal plastering with lime putty plaster is viable year round in a fully enclosed building.