Texmateria
Lime Plaster / Shikkui
A lime-based plaster with a soft mineral brightness. It carbonates slowly, giving a breathable surface with gentle color variation, burnish, and hairline movement.
Common names
- shikkui
- lime render
- white plaster
- polished lime plaster
Search phrases
- white plaster wall
- japanese plaster wall
- soft white trowel wall
- lime wall finish
Common uses
- Traditional walls
- Exterior plaster walls
- Restoration work
- Bathrooms
- Calm interior walls
Choosing points
- Best for Japanese rooms, homes, and natural interiors where soft white hand-applied walls are wanted.
- It can be matte and soft or polished and slightly reflective.
- White lime walls show soot, hand marks, and water streaks clearly.
- Small trowel variation is part of the appeal.
How it ages
- Breathable and long-lived when detailed well, but cracking, staining, and surface powdering can appear with movement or moisture.
What to avoid
- Do not use lime plaster in constantly wet or high-impact areas without protection; it is breathable, not a waterproof armor.
