St. Astier Natural Hydraulic Lime is truly a unique and rich exterior finish. Unlike the cold, urban look and feel of cement, natural hydraulic lime is a time-honored, old-world finish, enjoying a modern comeback due to its soft, rich, and velvety texture. Its ability to absorb multi-nuances of color is enhanced by the varied angles of sunlight reflected throughout a day. This is a finish that improves with age, always evolving, deepening, and taking on a character of its own. Its warmth lures one to touch and invites one to linger. Not only is St. Astier Natural Hydraulic Lime a pleasure to live with, but it is also healthy to live with. With no chemical additives whatsoever, St. Astier Natural Hydraulic Lime is the ultimate safe, natural, green building finish product--a throwback to the old world, rediscovered to help the environment of our new world.

Although basically of the same chemical composition as hydrated lime, hydraulic lime has its initial set with water, much like cement, and a second set by absorption of CO2. This allows for simplicity of application although basic care is required, such as minimizing the amount of water, good sand and tarping. The cost of labor is comparable to normal stucco installation. Hydraulicity for St. Astier lime is achieved by the nature of the raw material.

Hydraulicity of Hydrated lime may be obtained by the addition of cement, pozzolanes, etc. In such a case, the introduction of foreign chemical elements may have immediate or long range inauspicious consequences and the sensitive user should stay away from these hybrid products.

Products

NHL2: Pure and natural hydraulic lime, feebly hydraulic, used when elasticity, low strength or high vapor exchange are desirable. Recommended applications: finishes, mortars for weak stones.

NHL3.5: Pure and natural hydraulic lime, moderately hydraulic, recommended when moderate strengths and better freeze-thaw resistance are required. Recommended applications: base coats, stone work.

NHL5: Pure and natural hydraulic lime, eminently hydraulic, specified when strength and high freeze-thaw resistance are necessary. Recommended applications: slabs, mortars for hard stone.

Ecomortar F-2: Premix based on pure and natural hydraulic lime (NHL 2) and fine sand. Recommended applications: for masonry work, plastering finish coats. Color packs for the EcoMortar F-2 are available in a wide range of colors.

Ecomortar F-3.5: Premix based on pure and natural hydraulic lime (NHL 3.5) and fine sand. Recommended applications: for masonry work, plastering finish coats. Color packs for the EcoMortar F-3.5 are available in a wide range of colors.

Ecomortar G-8: Premix based on pure and natural hydraulic lime (NHL 3.5) and coarse sand. Recommended applications: masonry work, pointing, dubbing out, and brown coats on plaster and rough finish coats.

Ecomortar G-S: Premix based on pure and natural hydraulic lime (NHL 3.5) and coarse sand. Recommended applications: masonry work, pointing, dubbing out, and first or scratch coats of plaster.

Decoliss is a pre-mixed lime mortar developed to achieve a flat or polished surface. It consists of natural lime, fine granulometry aggregates, including talc, and additives to prevent shrinkage and tearing. It does not contain cement or other pozzolanic components.

Decofond is a premixed lime mortar specially designed as a base coat for irregular, or heterogeneous, interior walls. It may also be used as a smooth finish coat on interior or exterior walls.

Marius Fabre Black Soap is a traditional, pure vegetable soap, which stays true to the tradition of the original soap made by the Gauls and Romans. It is a vital ingredient in the art of fine lime plaster finishes and particularly Tadelakt. Recommended applications: mixes with lime to create a visual shine, also has many other household uses.

The manufacturer's website hosts a tremendous amount of information about the products, background, and instructions.

Please contact us to discuss use of NHL materials in your project.