As a specialist supplier of polished plaster finishes we find Tadelakt is one of our most requested services. We’re regularly called upon to advise on and install specialist tadelakt finishes for home owners, interior designers and architects across a wide range of buildings throughout London. Our most common installations are on kitchen splashbacks and in bathrooms, wetrooms and spa rooms where it can be used on walls and ceilings for a beautifully smooth and characterful surface. If you’re considering tadelakt for an interior design project in your home, you may find it useful to review some of these most frequently asked questions.
WHAT IS TADELAKT?
Tadelakt is an ancient form of lime plaster dates back centuries. Moroccan tadelakt was originally used to coat waterproof cisterns in Morocco and is still common in hammams and buildings throughout North Africa today. This decorative plaster has the versatility to look fantastic anywhere in your property. Mostly used on walls, it is a wonderful alternative to tiles, especially in wet-rooms and bathrooms. Tadelakt is a highly polished finish, which leaves a smooth and seamless grout-line free surface.
HOW MUCH DOES TADELAKT COST?
A small bathroom around 20-30 m2 costs approx. £120-£200 per m2. This is the cost to install polished plaster across the walls of the bathroom. Obviously the costs vary according to the complexity of the work. Read our blog post for more detailed information on how much it costs to install polished plaster.
HOW IS TADELAKT PLASTER APPLIED?
Tadelakt is actually a Moroccan word meaning: ‘to knead’ or ‘massage’, which is perhaps a not-so-subtle hint towards the technique used to create the tadelakt effect. The word tadelakt actually refers to the technique used to adhere the lime plaster to the surface, rather than a specific plaster product. To create this artisan polished plaster, an unusual application process is used.
IS TADELAKT WATER RESISTANT?
Due to the textured appearance of tadelakt, it is easy to assume that the plaster would be susceptible to damp. However, tadelakt is actually well known for its water resistant quality. The unique application used to create the tadelakt which ensures that the surface of the plaster is water resistant. This is what makes the tadelakt an ideal material for bathroom walls, or even a finish to coat the inside of a shower.
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DOES TADELAKT CRACK?
It is not unusual to see cracks in traditional finishes, however using our modern technique and materials at Ferri Interiors, cracks do not develop.
WHERE CAN TADELAKT BE USED IN THE HOME?
As a water resistant plaster the most common applications are in bathrooms, shower rooms and spa rooms. However the soft and characterful surface has many applications, from coating a full room or feature wall, to smaller decorative surface areas.
A WATERPROOF PLASTER FOR BATHROOMS
Water resistant, tadelakt is the perfect finish for use in bathrooms, spa rooms and even your bath or shower. Used to replace many a bathroom tile, the water resistant qualities of tadelakt. Tadelakt can also be applied directly over existing tiles in showers and kitchen splashbacks, eliminating the need to remove them. To find out how to use tadelakt lime plaster in your bathroom, follow our guide here.
USING LIME PLASTER TO DECORATE
Tadelakt plaster creates beautifully textured surfaces and can be tinted using natural or synthetic pigments to create earthy soft, natural hues that mimic the Moroccan origins of the plaster, or more modern contemporary colours. The luxuriously textured tadelakt finish, formed without grout lines, creates the perfect backdrop for fixtures and fittings and for decorative purposes. To find out more ways that tadelakt can be used to make your home more unique, take a look at our blog ‘5 Places Tadelakt can be used in your Home’ here.
WHAT MAINTENANCE DOES TADELAKT REQUIRE?
As tadelakt is a traditional technique that uses natural materials, the lime plaster does not need harsh chemicals to keep it clean. Additionally, tadelakt can be used to coat walls without the use of grout, making it a lot easier to clean with its smooth and seamless surface. Simply using a natural soap and warm water, you can maintain the soft, statin appearance of tadelakt over time.
“Carl and Alex completed a microcement family bathroom for us. From start to finish the process ran very smoothly. We were impressed by the professionalism shown, attention to detail and daily updates. Carl is especially good at explaining the process and goes above and beyond to ensure all options are carefully considered to get the “desired” finish. I was also very impressed with their tidyness. The microcement bathroom looks fantastic and we could not be happier with the finished results.”
