Colours By Nature

Specialists in Natural Paints and Austalia's Best Pricing Est.1997

Albury Enviro Bags
Environmentally Friendly Biodegradable Natural Green Bag from Albury Enviro Bags.  Jute fibre is a totally natural and biodegradable fibre o More...
Member Login
User Name:
Password:
Register
PO Box 829
Queanbeyan 2620
New South Wales  Australia
Tel 1300 249 347
Fax 1300 249 347
Email Us

VOLVOX Clay Decor Paint for Straw Bale & Earth Construction

VOLVOX Clay Décor Paint for Clay, Straw and Earth Building Construction

Mr Hans Willi Babka talks about painting clay bale and earth buildings:

“VOLVOX Clay Décor was developed for the modern clay/earth building industry. As clay/earth walls should retain the thermal, room climate regulating and toxin eliminating function, walls and ceilings should have a protective paint that does not solidify or seal the minerals in the building material.”

“In Australia, it is common for clay/straw/earth construction companies to recommend that walls are solidified with mineral paints such as silicate paints. Sadly, this results in the beneficial qualities of clay and earth being compromised. We have visited straw bale clay rendered dwellings finished with silicate paint. The hard crust that silicate paint produces also makes the surface water repellent and reduces the "breathe ability" dramatically. VOLVOX also manufactures silicate paint, but acknowledges that potassium silicate (waterglass) paints are not recommended for coating clay/earth walls. Silicate paints are more suited to sealing cement/lime/sand render surfaces.

Silicate paint is not for clay, Hans says. Clay needs to breathe more as it can absorb incredible amounts of moisture and it needs the ability to release it.”

Information Source: Reported notes of a presentation by Mr Hans Willi Babka, General Manager & Chief Chemist ecotec Naturfarben GmbH, during his visit to Colours By Nature, Australia, May 2008.

Related notes: VOLVOX Clay Décor – The Difference