Limecrete flooring is a type of floor construction that uses lime-based concrete (limecrete) instead of traditional Portland cement concrete. It is made by combining hydraulic lime with aggregates such as sharp sand, gravel, or lightweight materials like expanded clay or glass. Limecrete is particularly valued in historic building restoration and eco-friendly construction due to its breathable, flexible, and sustainable characteristics.

Key Features of Limecrete Flooring:

• Breathability: Limecrete allows moisture vapor to pass through, preventing damp buildup and promoting a healthy indoor environment—especially important in buildings without modern damp-proofing.

• Flexibility: Unlike cement, limecrete has a slight elasticity, making it less prone to cracking due to minor ground movement or thermal changes.

• Compatibility with Historic Structures: It works in harmony with traditional materials like stone and timber, avoiding the moisture retention problems often caused by hard, impermeable cement-based products.

• Environmental Benefits: Lime absorbs CO₂ during curing (a process called carbonation), making it a more carbon-neutral alternative to cement.

• Insulation Compatibility: Limecrete is often used in conjunction with insulating materials like foamed glass aggregate or hemp-lime, helping to create breathable insulated floors.

Limecrete floors are typically used in solid floor construction, laid over a breathable insulation layer with a lime-based screed or finish. They can be left exposed for a natural look or finished with breathable floor coverings like terracotta, stone, or timber.