Moroccan Tadelakt

Tadelakt is also known as tadelak and tadlakt. It is both a decorative and waterproof plaster, fashioned from lime specific to the Marrakech region of Morocco, North Africa.

Little has been written down as the art relies on an oral tradition between artisans to keep it alive. We have trained with Moroccan master craftsmen in this ancient, magical finish. We offer the finest tadelakt, sourced and imported from Morocco.

Literally translated tadelakt means 'to caress'. Unlike other plasters, tadelakt it is not a precise, standardised finish. The smooth, marble-like walls look rustic, undulating and alive, hand crafted, with rooms looking as if they have been hand moulded out of clay.

Tadelakt is tinted to produce intense, deep colours, with subtle nuances. Common tadelakt colours have been a range of warm, sunny and burnt brown and yellow ochre's of the deserts, the vermilion of Marrakech, cobalt blues of Essouira coast and the saffron yellows of the souk, thus echoing the beauty of the Moroccan landscape. We are able mix and match to almost any colour choice, from the brightest white to the deepest black. You can view a colourchart here

Tadelakt is the perfect alternative to tiles in bathrooms. Tadelakt is permeable to air but impermeable to water, thus letting walls breathe. The plaster's high pH value means it is both fungicidal and anti-bacterial. It is seamlessly applied, resulting in a surface without grout lines. It is suitable for pools, spas, shower cubicles, wet rooms and hammams (steam rooms). We can even form it into a sink or a bath and in some circumstances it can be applied to floors.

Tadelakt needs to be applied to a waterproof substrate, which we can install or advise on. We recommend the use of the Wedi system or Bluclad board. Onto this we are able to apply our plasters.

The final surface is sealed with an olive-based black soap, which reacts with the lime plaster forming a waterproof surface. For added lustre a coat of wax can be applied. Additional black soap is employed to clean and maintain the surface.

Please visit our sister site www.tadelakt.co.uk to learn more about tadelakt.