Lime has been used for thousands of years as a fabulous binder in mortars, plasters, and paints.  It wasn’t until the post-World War II housing boom that quick-setting cement products eclipsed lime in construction.  Lime cures more slowly than cement, but it holds many advantages because it is a workable, self-healing, breathable, nearly carbon neutral material making it a great choice for natural building.

Lime-based products have a smaller carbon footprint than their ubiquitous cement counterparts. Cement production creates 1.25 pounds of CO2 for each pound of cement produced, whereas lime is nearly carbon neutral.

Also Lime is what’s called „breathable“.  Breathability refers to a material’s ability to allow air-borne vapor, i.e. humidity, to pass through it. The breathability ensures that moisture will not build up inside the wall system.  In turn, this ensures that any biodegradable materials, such as wood or straw, are protected from decomposing.