Hammer in Hand
Design-Remodel-Handyman-Artisan
American Clay
We at Hammer in Hand love American Clay! We appreciate it's beauty, it's
eco-friendliness, it's texture, versatility, and most importantly the feel that it
brings to your living space.
* American Clay is a clay based product that is so natural that all the materials used
to make it can be found in the backyards of homes in your neighborhood
* There are no synthetic chemicals added which means zero VOC emission or
toxic off-gassing.
* Because the material is porous it actually allows the walls to breath meaning that
it has the ability to absorb humidity making it the perfect solution for kitchens and bath.
* Because clay possesses negatively charged ions, it repels airborne dust, dirt, allergens and dander that would normally cling to your walls or ceiling. Likewise mold spores are repelled depriving the spores a surface to grow upon.
* Your walls will become more energy efficient as well keeping your room cool in the summer and warmer in the winter. The product qualifies for LEED credits.
* Because clay is porous it naturally absorbs sound, deadening sound wave reflections, making it advantageous in quieting large open spaces such as vaulted rooms or large restaurants. Clay attenuates sound nearly twice as much as standard latex paint.
* With American Clay there are many options to obtain a finish you love. The finish can be anywhere from rough or sand like to smooth as porcelain. There are currently over 100 premixed color pigments that may be blended into the clay, however many more custom colors may be created by mixing pigments together. These natural pigments will not fade in direct sunlight. Stencils can be used to give dimension and a variety of artistic options.
Check out our galleries below for examples of our work and that of other artisans.
How Green is Clay Plaster?
Clay plaster is pretty darn green. Roughly akin to using rammed earth for construction or flooring, it's essentially a combination of clays dug from the ground, post-industrial aggregates — from quarries, often — and pigments, giving it very low embodied energy. Because the materials are exclusively derived from the ground, clay plasters have zero volatile organic compounds (VOCs), so they don't off-gas; the finished product is porous, effectively helping your walls "breathe" and not accumulate moisture and mold. Clay plaster is also very durable; once installed, it often lasts the life of the structure, and can be retouched or "refreshed" more easily than repainting or re-wallpapering.
http://planetgreen.discovery.com/feature/green-materials-guide/wall-coverings-clay-plaster.html
Inspirations and project ideas
Made in the USA