The Amazing World of Lime Course

"This course is worth every penny. It totally cleared everything up for me and gave me the confidence to get started with lime." Kirsty Henderson, author of Portugal from Scratch.

Lime is one of the most underused, useful and beautiful building materials out there. It's amazing stuff, and does nearly everything Portland cement does but better. Lime allows structures to breathe in a way Portland cement never can, significantly reducing the opportunities for mildew or damp in your building. It's softer and more malleable, and cures more slowly giving you time to work it beautifully before it sets. This softness is important in mortar work - especially in old buildings. Portland cement is too hard and non-porous, so it ultimately begins to 'eat away' at the stones. It's been banned by the English Heritage society for this very reason. Lime has fungicidal and insecticidal properties, and is in many places very inexpensive. Unless you're building a multistory car park or swimming pool, lime is a superb option.

Still doubting? Scroll down to the curriculum and watch the video tour of my lime-filled kitchen.

The 17th century Garrison House, Wivenhoe. Still in great shape because it's been properly maintained with lime wash.

So What Can You Actually Do With Lime?

Lime is extremely versatile. There's a lot you can create. You can use it as render:

Or as a mortar:

Or as a 'crete:

Limecrete window sill by Sophie Hunter

You can make lime paint:

You can grout flagstones or tiles with it:

Or make floors:

What Course Participants Say:

• "Thank you for your inspiring course!" Shannon in Mexico
  
• "The best and most straightforward information I have found yet." Rachel, Texas.
  
• "I started watching Atulya’s course yesterday and am very impressed by her knowledge and skills." Christine Baker, High Desert Permaculture.
  
• "I loved your lime course. Will watch it again and again." Audrey Kulas.
  

Environmental Benefits

Lime generates roughly 25% of the carbon that Portland cement does in production,and then slowly reabsorbs that carbon as it cures. Limestone (what lime is made of) is also extremely abundant on Earth. Seeing as Portland cement is currently the second largest emitter of CO2 into the atmosphere after fossil fuels, we could do with using a lot more lime and a lot less Portland.

If you want to learn how to use lime in a host of different ways, the All About Lime Course will show you the way.

What Will This Course Teach You?

• Which kind of lime you should use for which job, and in which climate
• How to slake quicklime
• How to mix and apply lime render
• How to test your lime mixtures
• How to apply lime mortar and some tricks for a clean finish
• How to deal with mortar guns when using lime
• How to mix limecrete
• How to make a limecrete floor
• How to create lime paint or lime wash with and without colours

I update all my courses with extra sections in response to student questions. Once you've enrolled in the course you have access to all future updates. Please note:If you want to be notified of updates, you need to tick the "I want emails" box.

When Might Lime Not Be Suitable?

1. Applications where the lime spends a lot of time submerged in, or being hit by water: Shower floors, water tanks, swimming pools etc may struggle. I have seen lime work for a shower floor with tiles and grout, and a water tank, but it's a bit hit and miss.

2. Lime renders, mortars and cretes are always softer and more porous than Portland cement, so any application where you definitely need a rock solid, tough as nails, completely impermeable surface, lime may not be suitable for.

Who is The Amazing World of Lime course for?

• Owner builders: This course is for you. It's simple, clear and practical.
• People who want to use lime but are not sure about how, or which one to use: This course will clarify which kind of lime to use where, and how. Simply. Without jargon. In a way that people without chemistry degrees can understand (relief right?)
• People renovating old houses: Yes this course is what you need. Videos on re-pointing, digging out old mortar and more are included in the course.
• People who've never used lime before and want to get started: This course takes it step by step, so it's perfect for lime novices.

Who is The Amazing World of Lime course NOT for?

• Professionals already working with lime. This is an entry level course .
• If you are looking for in-depth instructions for the traditional Indian lime techniques of Thappi and Araish, this course won't meet your needs.
• This course doesn't have a section on tadelakt.
• People looking for instructions on hemplime, sorry it's not included.

"This lime course is fantastic! Incredibly informative and super helpful. I feel much more confident now and am able to apply what I've learned to various projects. Highly recommend!" Erin Kirchner, CA. USA.