Exterior Scratch Coat Plaster over Strawbales Workparty

A 4-day workparty teaching about exterior plasters over a strawbale wall system! We will cover the essentials of the exterior plaster prep and application process specific to using natural insulations. During the workparty, we will discuss testing to determine the right materials and recipes for exterior plasters. A scratch coat exterior plaster will be applied. We will go over plaster finish options. This work is being completed on a fire rebuild home in Paradise, CA. We are utilizing grant funding to complete this house for a lovely women who has been living in a trailer for the past years. There is no cost to attend these workparties, our hope is to have many hands make light work and get us closer to a finished home years after these devastating fires. We appreciate you coming to learn with us and using your hands to help finish this home.

This workparty will cover:

• How to source the raw materials that make up natural plasters

• How to source clay and lime plasters and climate appropriate options

• Aggregates and what is appropriate for use in plasters

• Using carbon sequestering building materials and what that means for our planet

• How to test and ensure a good plaster mix

• Mixing techniques and efficiency

• Application techniques and what tools to use

• Natural wall systems and appropriate substrates specific to natural plasters

• How to properly prepare wall systems to receive natural plasters

This course is suitable for both beginners and experts. You will learn everything from the basics, how to test recipes, and apply that mix. You will leave with a confidence and understanding of how to apply exterior plaster to your own home.