Lime and gypsum plaster floors

As part of a research project concerning historic lime and gypsum
plaster floors in the UK, I have collected descriptions of similar
flooring methods, together with those based on earth or mud, from
around the world.

In the East Midlands region of the UK the floors are typically
composed of a layer of gypsum-based plaster laid on to a bedding of
reed or straw over floor joists. Sometimes an insulating layer of
nut shells or chaff may be found in the void beneath the floor. In
other parts of the country (such as the West Country), plaster
floors are used at ground level, making use of local lime.

I would be grateful for any information about similar flooring,
whether at ground or upper levels, used in Continental Europe and
the US.

Dr David Watt
Senior Research Fellow
Centre for Conservation Studies
Leicester School of Architecture
De Montfort University
The Gateway
Leicester  LE1 9BH
United Kingdom
+44 116 250 6024
Fax: +44 116 250 6352


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 14:60
                   Distributed: Tuesday, May 8, 2001
                       Message Id: cdl-14-60-009
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