Brita Lavada – An eco-efficient decorative mortar from Madeira Island

Brita lavada: (washed gravel, in direct translation) is a decorative coating technology with a mortar based on cement, local Madeira basalt gravel and black pigment, currently used for masonry rendering on 20th-21st century Madeiran built heritage simulating stone masonry or cladding. Comparison of Brita Lavada and other cement based coating mortars was made regarding physical behaviour. The Brita Lavada shows high mechanical strength, acceptable water absorption and good water vapour permeability, what can justify its good durability on site and continuous application. The previous justify the interest on preserving the technology and is an example of optimised used of a local material, in the case a very hard basalt, with no possibility to be used for stonework, as a specific resource for a traditional, durable, eco-efficient decorative coating.