How do you do oyster shell stucco?

In a concrete mixer, mix 1 part lime, 2 parts cement and 3 parts sand. Mix thoroughly for at least 20 minutes gradually adding just enough water to make a thick, mortar mix. Then add the oyster shells towards the end of the mixing. Keep adding them until you see the Shell distributed consistently in the stucco.

What is oyster tabby?

Tabby is a type of concrete made by burning oyster shells to create lime, then mixing it with water, sand, ash and broken oyster shells. Early Spanish settlers in present-day North Carolina and Florida used the substance for building purposes.

Is tabby concrete durable?

The availability of slave labor in the South made tabby a cost-effective building choice. Another major advantage of tabby in the moisture-laden coastal regions was that it was much more durable than wood, which deteriorated rapidly in a humid climate. If tabby is properly maintained, it can last for centuries.

How do you make tabby cement?

Tabby is a mix of lime, sand and water. The lime was obtained by cooking whole oyster shells in a kiln, then “slaking” the shells by adding water to them – in this process the shells break down.

What is seashell concrete?

Blood clam or cockle (Anadara granosa) shell is a type of marine by-product that can be used to replace aggregate or cement partially in concrete. The seashell concrete yielded less compressive strength and modulus elasticity compared to the OPC concrete.

What is a tabby driveway?

Tabby Concrete, a mixture of shells, water, lime, and concrete mix, is becoming widely popular throughout Southwest Florida. Tabby Concrete is a great option for both driveways and pool decks! The light color concrete stays relatively cool on hot days, while the shells provide visual interest.

Is tabby concrete still used?

Various modern forms of tabby, employing only cement are still used today. Modern imitations often expose the shell and forego the stucco in an inaccurate attempt to recreate the appearance of this historic material.

Is tabby concrete waterproof?

The most common aggregates are sand and gravel, and the most common cements are based on calcium oxides formed by heating ground limestone. It’s an inexpensive, durable and waterproof building material strong in compression with strength in flexion commonly added through internal steel mesh.

What kind of building material is tabby?

coastal concrete
A related building material is tabby, often called coastal concrete, which is basically manmade coquina. Tabby is composed of the lime from burned oyster shells mixed with sand, water, ash, and other shells.

Why are there shells in concrete?

Scale in mm. Concrete is a mixture of cement with sand and gravel. When sand and gravel are taken from rivers, this natural resource sometimes contains clam shells.

How to make tabby shell stucco at home?

See “How to Stucco” if you need additional information. Make the Tabby Shell Stucco topcoat using Oyster Shells. In a concrete mixer, mix 1 part lime, 2 parts cement and 3 parts sand. Mix thoroughly for at least 20 minutes gradually adding just enough water to make a thick, mortar mix. Then add the oyster shells towards the end of the mixing.

How tall was Tabby shell stucco in the eighteenth century?

The mixture was poured into a wooden forms or rectangular bottomless cradles made of finished boards approximately two inches thick. The length of the cradle varied; the height was 20 to 22 inches in the eighteenth century but was reduced to 10 to 12 inches in the nineteenth century to minimize collapse and provide greater strength.

How is Tabby shell used to build walls?

The tabby air-dried in its cradle for two to three days. After it hardened, the form and pins were removed and placed atop the first pour or “round” for subsequent rounds, thus building a wall in a layer-like fashion. The finished wall was then brushed with a broom before stucco or whitewash was applied.

Which is the closest shell to oyster shell?

(The closest Shell we carry to Oyster Shell is our Coastal Shell, it has Oyster Shell in it but is not pure Oyster Shell.) Apply a layer of the tabby stucco to the walls, using a trowel. The layer should be about as thick as the oyster shells. Apply firm pressure. Start from the bottom and work your way up.