We present our innovative MyKal lime mortar: Uses and benefits

The great ancient civilizations already knew its effectiveness, and today it is still considered one of the most effective materials in decoration and restoration. We are talking about lime mortar, a construction material that knew its success more than 2000 years ago, in historically relevant civilizations such as Classical Greece, the Roman Empire, and even Ancient Egypt.

Such is its potential that it is still considered one of the most used materials for the renovation of spaces. Its quality has been demonstrated over the centuries and, in this article, we will answer some of the questions that arouse the most curiosity about this amazing material. We will also introduce you to our new MyKal lime mortar, an elite product that, through its application, the professional manages to generate exclusive tadelakt-style coatings of high decorative value.

Lime Mortar: What is it?

But, exactly what is it? Lime mortar, or as it was also known by the ancient Romans, mortarius; is a preparation composed of lime, aggregates, and natural additives, a composition that gives a bioclimatic character to the coating, making the support highly permeable, which increases breathability, without losing its waterproof characteristic. The lime used can be of two basic types: aerated or hydraulic. The aerated lime will carbonate when it comes into contact with the air, unlike the hydraulic, which occurs after setting in water.

Lime has the property of hardening when exposed to air, which causes the creamy paste spread over the surface to begin to transform into a solid crust that hardens due to the evaporation of its water due to the chemical alteration that its components undergo. In this way, the lime mortar becomes a protective film of a few millimeters thickness, but with the resistance and hardness of stone.

One of its best qualities is that if it is a mortar made of quality lime, it will not deteriorate over the years, on the contrary, it will gain superior consolidation. To reach this state, a total carbonation of the material must occur, which requires several months to evaporate all the water. The first hardening is achieved within the first 24 hours, which occurs from the surface towards the interior, eliminating the water that resides in the mass and reaching up to a millimeter in thickness.

The great qualities of lime mortars

Despite being a material used for millennia, its popularity continues to increase over the years. Both its technical and aesthetic properties are responsible, having put this product in the spotlight of major professionals in decoration and restoration. Its sustainable character and unique appearance have made lime mortar replace other more traditional materials that have been the main characters in recent decades, such as cement.

Next, we will detail the great benefits of this decorative material, which is proving to be a real revelation in the restoration sector:

Fungicide Action

This material is defined by its high level of alkalinity, which gives it spectacular properties as a fungicide and natural disinfectant. In this way it satisfactorily prevents mold stains, the proliferation of fungi, and the appearance of spores that can be highly harmful to humans.

Biodegradable material

This is a sustainable material as it comprises materials inherent to nature and there is no need to heat the lime mortar at high temperatures during its manufacturing process.

Greater breathability

A very important feature. The lime applied on surfaces allows for the disposal or absorption of water through hygrometric exchange, preventing high humidity. It ensures that the applied surface does not suffocate, increasing its resistance and therefore, its durability.

Resistance to weathering

Lime mortars have the advantage of being equally effective in various weather conditions. They have a high tolerance to rain, humidity, and solar radiation. This makes lime a material whose application is equally effective in indoor and outdoor settings.

Exclusive finishes

Lime offers a very unique aesthetic, bringing a special texture to the space as well as high durability allowing for long-term resilience.

Less shrinkage and cracking

This leads to spaces that enjoy a long lifespan as this mortar does not crack or split.

High coefficient of expansion

Lime has the ability to shrink or stretch to mold its shape to different mediums due to its high level of plasticity. This is why its use is commonly aimed at the decoration of walls, both exterior and interior.

Lime mortar and its types

When we talk about lime mortar, it refers to a mixture of one or more binders where the base should always be: lime, aggregates, water, and sometimes some additives or additions that will vary. There are different types and we will delve into the classification based on the composition and the curing process.

Air Lime

In this type of mortar, hardening occurs through contact with air, which produces a process of evaporation from the exterior to the interior, thus being somewhat slower and vulnerable to weather conditions.

Hydraulic Lime

On the other hand, hydraulic lime mortars undergo a hardening process that is not affected when carried out in high-humidity environments. In this way, it hardens when in contact with both air and water. This type of mortar offers the possibility to obtain it fully naturally, directly from stone, or through industrial manufacture. Its great advantage, unlike air lime, hydraulic lime provides higher resistance in less time.

Lime and Sand

Depending on the use to be given, the proportions of lime and sand will vary. If it is for plastering, a part lime for a part of sand will be used; in screeds, one of lime for two of sand; in brick walls, one of lime for three of sand; in masonry walls, one of lime for four of sand.

Lime and Cement

The same happens with lime and cement, so that the mixture will be carried out depending on the application to be given. It is important to emphasize the need to use an adequate amount of water, as an excess could cause it to evaporate and end up reducing the mortar's resistance. In the case of not having enough water, what it will cause is a worse workability of the mixture.

Fields of application of lime mortar

Its use is varied, guaranteeing in all cases impeccable results of great decorative value and with the property to provide structures with a long useful life. Its effectiveness is so profound that it knows no limits, giving rise to a material that is applied in homes, even in heritage buildings.

Generally speaking, we will show you its most common and popular uses within decoration and restoration:

Process of creating lime mortar

It is recommended that the mixture of the various elements that make up the lime mortar, is done just before being applied on the support, be it floor or wall. This mix will provide us with more optimal results if it is done with an industrial mixer, although there is also the possibility of doing it by hand. Once this is done, we will go over, step by step, the process of creation and application of the lime mortar.

1. Calculation of proportions to mix

The calculation of the amount needed of each component: lime, water, sand, cement, must be performed with accuracy. The proportions will vary based on the type of lime mortar, as well as the use to be given.

2. Add and mix the aggregates to the mortar

Next, proceed with the mixing of the aggregates to be added to the mortar. The most common is usually sand or, consequently, gravel. They should be mixed strictly following the exact quantities required by the formula.

3. Application of lime mortar

We reach the final step. Once a perfect mix has been achieved and the mortar has dried, it is time for it to be applied. Professionals advise that it be placed on the top so that it spreads in that area. Remember, the longer it takes to dry, the better resistance and durability properties it will host.

As a piece of advice, we recommend making use of hydrated lime in the mix, in order to achieve faster drying of the mortar. This occurs because lime, when it comes into contact with water, reacts and produces crystals, which ensure greater hardening and help the product to settle.

Finally, it should be applied with the help of a trowel, the acquired mixture on the surface to be coated.

Lime mortar: winning choice for facades and bathrooms

Structures that are located outdoors, such as facades, suffer from the great disadvantage of being constantly exposed to the elements, which causes them to be continually exposed to weather conditions, affecting the state of the surface and wearing them down. All this, added to the passage of time, makes their deterioration inevitable. It is at this point where it becomes necessary to carry out some type of renovation in order to make it shine again with the same beauty with which it sparkled years ago.

To achieve this goal, lime mortar is the ideal material that will help us effectively solve the problem. It is the perfect product for the rehabilitation of facades, whether it is a private home, and even emblematic or heritage buildings. The finishes will be exceptional, giving sophisticated results that perfectly match the rest of the structure.

Its potential will give the facade a more rejuvenated appearance while offering better performance in terms of mechanical and chemical resistance, thereby ensuring that the facade enjoys better properties that confer a long service life. Its high pH is noteworthy, a feature that will also prevent the growth of mold, fungi or derivatives.

In the bathrooms something similar happens. It has the advantage of not suffering from the weather, however, the high humidity and constant contact with water require the use of a coating that provides greater resistance to these elements. Lime mortar offers us a material highly resistant to moisture and which, as we mentioned earlier, has surprising fungicidal and disinfecting qualities.

Introducing the new lime mortar from MyRevest: MyKal

At MyRevest, we have joined the change to offer a more sustainable product that helps reduce the ecological footprint. Based on this, we have developed our new line of two-component microcement (cement and lime)MyKal, a product that aesthetically is similar to tadelakt coating, as well as Venetian stucco and even exposed concrete; but reinventing it, to offer improved performance targeting greater efficiency in refurbishments.

Through the MyKal line, you will get a high quality lime mortar, which will work effectively in the coating of exterior and interior surfaces, as well as floors and vertical surfaces, guaranteeing results with high decorative value and long durability, all contained in a material with a scant thickness of 3 mm, which will give the substrate greater chemical and mechanical resistance.

Benefits of working with MyKal

MyKal microcement granulometry

The MyKal line contains up to 4 different products that vary according to the size of the aggregate, so that the thickest is our MyKal XL (0.4 mm), a multifunction microcement that was initially developed as a preparation coating, but it has been verified to be just as efficient when also applied indiscriminately as a finish.

MyKal L (0.3 mm) is our second product that presents the coarsest grain. Its high thickness, although finer than the previous one, endows the surface with superior resistance, resulting in stable and firm finishes, but with greater sophistication.

MyKal M (0.2 mm) and MyKal S (0.1 mm) are our two lines of tadelakt microcement for application as a finishing product. The difference between these two materials lies in that the first can be used on both walls and floors; however, the latter, due to its very fine grain, can only be applied on vertical surfaces. In both cases, the finishes will be elegant and of unique beauty.

Variety of colors with MyKal

MyKal presents a vast range of up to 34 colors, with which to eliminate decorative boundaries to give life to varied high-quality finishes. The number of colors can be doubled if the surface is reviewed with a trowel, obtaining up to 68 color varieties. And if you still can't find your desired shade, we have an innovative system of pigmented pastes that will guarantee your custom color.

Do not hesitate to contact us through thecontact form, our experts will handle your query about lime mortar or our MyKal microcement. They will detail everything you need to know until you are completely satisfied.