was significantly different than previous ones, something unique, and worth legal protection. Te process took seven years to complete, but they were eventually awarded the first patent for a natural building material since 1932.

Click HERE to go explore the myriad of color and texture options available from American Clay.

house under construction in the company is located, to test beginning, everyone but Carol ew right from the start the potential. By 2002, a refined ion to the building materials thought she was crazy, Carol be to legally protect what We went to see this patent ull theatrical reenactment. he said ‘Oh, I think we can get ut this in my house please?’

.” Everyone who saw the omething special.

or thousands of years, and it blem with the patent office. nstrate that their product

American Clay manufactures a number of beautiful, natural, interior wall finishes composed of 70% recycled and reclaimed sands, aggregates, and shells. Carol points out a number of interesting facts that make her products different from other wall finishes. “Clay is a phase change material,” she tells me, “the molecular structure of the clay particles actually interacts with vapor within the interior environment.” Tat means the finish is not inert, it’s still alive. It’s been shown in a year-long study that their products help to moderate the temperature and moisture content of indoor air. In warmer weather, spaces will stay cooler, and in cooler weather, spaces will stay warmer. Other typical wall coatings, such as paint, do not have this property. In fact, most paints off-gas harmful volatile organic compounds as they dry. Tere’s nothing toxic or harmful in any American Clay products.

Eight years have passed since the company founding and growth continues steadily even while other sectors of the building industry have experienced marked declines. Perhaps it shows that Carol and Croft are on to something. By the way, Croft no longer suffers any ailments resulting from the materials he works with.

interview, story & video by Kevin Foster O’Donnell