TADELAKT
Traditional Moroccan plastering technique for finishing waterproof surfaces.
Tadelakt is a traditional Moroccan plastering technique for finishing waterproof surfaces. Historically, tadelakt has been spread only in one region of Morocco - around Marrakech. This is because the naturally occurring lime there has exceptional properties. Nature has provided the residents with a ready-made plaster mixture, which was burned, extinguished, and used for plastering. By polishing it with a unique stone, it became a very high-density surface corresponding to today's high-quality concrete surface.
The unique glowing surface of Tadelakt looks charming and attractive. The technique, where it is compacted with a small stone, creates a slightly wavy and naturally shiny surface. The colour of the plaster remains transparent and full of shades. Working with tadelakt requires above-average craft skills. Plaster is applied to the surface in two layers, approx. 2mm thick. After solidification, it is smoothed with a putty trowel and compacted and polished by making small circular movements with the stone. The right moment for polishing depends on the substrate and humidity. After at least 24 hours, the surface is covered with olive oil soap and polished again with a stone. The result is a light silk mat with a glossy and waterproof surface. The dry mixture is naturally white. We tint tadelakt with Kreidezeit powder pigments and make personal colour samples.
The base of the tadelakt must be solid and non-springy. If possible, a freshly plastered surface with a thickness of about 2 cm should be chosen as the base surface of the tadelakt. Lime-cement and cement plasters are also suitable as a substrate.
We sell the material according to square meters and take into account the specifics of the base surface's absorbency. The average cost is 2,5kg/m2. The price of the base material is €40.25/m2, plus the price of the pigment according to the shade.
