What is Clay Plaster?

Cemher’s Claystone is not just any clay plaster – it is a premium formulation that elevates ancient material to modern luxury standards. Here are some compelling reasons architects and designers in Saudi Arabia are opting for Cemher Claystone for their projects:

• Authentic Look with Modern Strength: Claystone delivers the natural, earthy aesthetic of traditional clay or mud plaster, but with vastly improved strength and durability. It has been formulated by Cemher (a leading sustainable finishes manufacturer) to be tougher and longer lasting than a basic earth plaster. This means you can achieve an authentic rammed-earth or adobe look in high-end interiors without worrying about the surface crumbling or eroding over time. Claystone’s enhanced composition ensures it adheres firmly and stays intact even in busy commercial settings.

• Rammed Earth Effect Capabilities: One standout feature of Claystone is its ability to recreate the coveted rammed earth effect. Designers love the layered, strata-like look of rammed earth walls (with bands of varying earth tones), which speak to sustainability and craft. With Claystone plaster, craftsmen can generate this effect by applying successive coats in different shades of clay and using special troweling techniques to mimic sedimentary layers. The result is a wall finish nearly indistinguishable from actual rammed earth construction – achieved at a fraction of the cost and without thick load-bearing walls. This capability allows modern projects to infuse a sense of ancient earth construction aesthetically, even on thin partition walls or surface treatments.

• Artistic Depth up to 10mm: Cemher Claystone can be applied up to 1 cm thick, providing significant depth to play with for texture and carving. Most typical plasters or paints are only a few millimeters thick at most, which limits texture creation. But a Claystone wall can have undulating waves, carved patterns, or stone-like relief because of this buildable depth. Artisans can trowel it to create subtle valleys and ridges, or even form geometric designs that have tangible depth. When light hits a Claystone surface, this depth creates rich shadow play and a sense of dimensionality that flat painted walls can never achieve.

• Engraving and Carving Potential: With a thicker application and clay’s sculptability, engraving designs into the plaster becomes possible. While the plaster is still setting (firm but not fully hardened), skilled craftsmen can etch patterns, calligraphy, or motifs into the surface. This is a fantastic feature for projects seeking a bespoke artistic touch – for example, engraving an Arabic calligraphy verse on a feature wall, or custom geometric patterns to mirror mashrabiya screens. Claystone holds the detail of these engravings well, thanks to its fine mineral content. Once sealed, the engraved art is permanent, effectively transforming walls into large-scale artworks. This level of customization is hard to achieve with cement or gypsum plasters.

• Natural and Breathable – Wellness Benefit: Cemher Claystone is made of 100% natural
  components, with no synthetic resins or volatile chemicals. For clients concerned about indoor air quality and wellness (a growing priority in high-end residential and hospitality design), Claystone is a perfect choice. It emits zero toxins and even helps purify the air by absorbing humidity and odors. In the hot, dusty climate of Saudi Arabia, having walls that “breathe” and don’t trap heat can make a noticeable difference in comfort. Claystone contributes to a cooler, more humidity-balanced interior, aligning with biophilic design principles and green building standards.

• Compatibility with Salmani Design and Vision 2030: Using Claystone also aligns with broader Saudi goals. Vision 2030 and the Salmani architecture guidelines encourage incorporating heritage motifs and sustainable practices in construction. Cemher Claystone ticks both boxes: it’s eco-friendly and channels the look of traditional Saudi materials. Developers aiming for LEED or regional green building certifications will find that Claystone can contribute to material credits (for low-emitting materials, recycled content, etc.). Furthermore, in luxury developments where storytelling and sense of place are important, marketing a finish like Claystone allows one to say: “Our project embraces local heritage and sustainability right down to its wall finishes.” This can be a unique selling point.