the Tadelakt
Tadelakt is a traditional Moroccan finish that was born from ancient artisan traditions; this coating allows you to create high quality natural decorative finishes in bathrooms, kitchens, walls and furnishing elements.
The original technique is made with hydraulic lime from from marine sedimentations. From the cooking process a natural lime is obtained to which aggregates are added.
How to apply the traditional Moroccan finish
When lime is used for the traditional Moroccan finish it is mixed only with water without having to add sand or other binders. Before applying it, it is important to wet the surface where it is applied with plenty of water. In this way it will act as a glue through a natural chemical reaction.
The lime must be applied on a very rough plaster and be prepared with sand or natural hydraulic mortar.
Alternatively, specially made but equally rough surfaces can be prepared and always with a base of natural hydraulic lime.
It is important to apply two layers of material which will be compacted and smoothed with metal trowels.
How to color Tadelakt
To create the color of the traditional Moroccan finish, natural earths, oxides or colors that resist lime are used.
Many ranges of colors can be created and customized according to needs. The color that is most used is the natural one, as Marrakech stones have a characteristic and suggestive light brown color which after drying will have a refined color in shades of beige.
When made correctly, traditional Moroccan finish surfaces become completely waterproof and are resistant to direct contact with water, both inside and outside.
This process is an important example of Moroccan culture that respects important local traditions.