Coating

The walls of adobe structures must be finished with [|plaster] to extend their life. Today modern techniques are implemented in this age-old construction method in order to achieve a more durable and more efficient result and improve insulation properties. After the house is structurally finished a two inch layer of insulation is applied to the exterior. There are currently two different techniques available for the purpose; sprayed on insulation or hard planks. The owner opted for the hard plank technique. After the insulation goes on a wire mesh is secured on top of the insulation and a coat of [|Portland cement] based plaster is applied to create an impermeable barrier. Once this is completed a final coat of exterior plaster is applied. This coat is referred to as [|stucco] and contains the pigment selected for the final color of the house.

Here is a picture of what the coating looks like...

The interior walls received a final coat of plaster as well. The finished interior walls have a smooth and undulating surface with a very characteristic sheen, which reflects the handmade feel of the house. This is achieved by careful hand trawling and involves considerable time. The resulting finish is normally one of the most attractive details of the interior. It is a very complex task and a good plaster job is the result of a talented and very experienced plaster artisan. Plaster coat in the interior walls of a bathroom. The same procedure was followed in every indoor wall of the house.

Hard Work