Children's Eco Programs

Windows and doors, straw bales and plaster … Kitchenland has arrived.  The plaster, most likely of Milton not Paris (ON 😉 ) descent, is a cement-lime mixture. It can stand up to the inclement weather often found here in the GTA Realm while still allowing air vapour to pass through.  Other forms of earth based plasters can also be used on a straw bale building.

There was much rejoicing throughout the High Park Kingdom as the last bale of straw was placed and the first dollop of plaster was troweled!

Yea royal plasterers had a very large job to do!  Two coats of plaster are required throughout the inside and outside of Kitchenland.  This helps keep it safe and strong.

The first coat of plaster is often called a “scratch” coat.  A rough surface allows for the second finish coat to stick to the scratch coat.  Yea royal plasterers also have a slightly tougher job putting the scratch coat on a straw bale building.  Most surfaces are less … pointy … than a straw bale wall (even after being attacked by the kingdom’s beloved weed-whacker 😉 ).

The second coat of plaster on a straw bale wall is usually quite smooth.  Any surface texture on the finish coat is more for Kitchenland beautification than structural need.

A total 2.5 cm coat of plaster on both the interior and the exterior of Kitchenland provides exceptional structural strength.  Even with stand alone straw bale walls an inch (2.5 cm) of plaster on both sides, from floor to ceiling, keeps it structurally sound.

It was important that our gallant carpenters install the windows and door frames before the plastering took place.  This way the royal plasterers were able to apply the cement-lime plaster right up to the window casements and the edge of the two door frames for a beautifully arched finish and tight seal.

The exterior of Kitchenland would also get a little special treatment … with a number of different colours planned for the exterior walls, small relief indentations were created. These also allow for expansion and contraction of the concrete plaster in hot and cold weather, protecting the walls from cracks and fissures.

You can see the valiant “Truth Window” in the picture above (right side).  This window shows the truth about how Kitchenland was built.  Most straw bale buildings have one to remind folks that sustainable building truly works!

On the inside it will show the citizens Kitchenland the steps the royal plasterers took to finish the walls of this beautiful land (a.k.a. building 😉 ).

Stay tuned for the next chapter in the Kitchenland saga … Kitchenland’s Majestic Green Crown!