What is Tadelakt?
As you scroll through Pinterest, design blogs and Instagram, you might have seen some unique and amazing bathrooms, showers and kitchens. The walls are luxurious and soft, bringing an ancient vibe to modern life. As you look at the description, you’re surprised to find that the walls are actually plaster, plaster with a weird name - Tadelakt.
As a craft, Tadelakt goes back about 2000 years and originated in Roman province of Mauretania (modern day Morocco.) While lime-based plastering had been developed and employed by our ancient ancestors for millennia prior, some happy accidents led to a huge new use for this natural, limestone derived plaster.
First of all, Morocco’s limestone, unbeknownst to them at the time, had some mineral content that contributed to the plaster being much more water resistant than traditional plaster. Then, imagine with me for a moment, while working on a wall and trying to achieve a perfectly flat surface, some ancient plasterer picked up some smooth stones to rub down some high spots or wonky areas. As they rubbed the stone along the surface of the plaster, they noticed that it became smooth and shiny, the surface closing together and becoming less and less pourous.
Over time, a whole new use for lime plaster was developed as they started rubbing olive oil (specifically, oil made from black olives, true story) into the surface with the smoothing stones. The result were the cisterns, reservoirs, bathhouses and fountains that are still found all over what was the Roman Empire as this new technology spread and improved. There are fountains and baths that are still operational today coated in this material, attesting to the longevity and effectiveness of lime plaster.
In fact, the word Tadelakt itself is believed to derive from an Arabic word - tadleek - which translates into “to rub in”.
A smooth stone is used to polish a lime plaster wall - this technique is what the word Tadelakt actually refers to
While today you can find artisans who still employ this ancient technique, complete with very expensive stones and imported black olive oil you can buy to imitate the ancient Tadelakt process, modern understanding of the chemistry, leading to the production of specialized plasters, and the development of tools and techniques brings this beautiful surface from the ancient world into the reach of your own home.
Gorgeous Tadelakt Master Bath/Shower in Sandpoint, ID (Chris Setty, Apollon Wall Design)
As it is used today, the word Tadelakt is essentially an umbrella term for natural, lime plasters that can be used in wet-use areas. Technically, though, Tadelakt refers only to the technique employed by those ancient artists, however, like “Venetian Plaster,” it has become a catchall term, in this case, for water-resistant plasters. You will often see these products referred to as “shower plasters” - however the composition of the material, effect , durability and beauty is the same.
What are the advantages of Tadelakt?
As stated above, Tadelakt is essentially lime plaster, a building material used for thousands and thousands of years (tens of thousands in all likelihood) in the construction of homes, temples, palaces, churches, restaurants, common areas and the like throughout our human history. It is produced by heating limestone in a kiln. During this process it undergoes a chemical reaction, turning the limestone into another, much more unstable substance we commonly refer to as “quicklime.” Through experimentation, our ancient ancestors figured out if they inundated this byproduct with water, it would stabilize into a paste that they could then cover their stone and wood buildings with (click here to learn more about this process). The end result was a strong, beautiful, durable, long-lasting surface. So long lasting, lime plaster still exists on buildings and objects reaching back into the 8th millennium BCE, around 9200 years ago!
However, though it is ancient in its origins, it just so happens to be the perfect solution in our modern world.
It is clearly beautiful! However, here are some of the other benefits of Tadelakt (lime plaster).
These statues from an Archaeological site called Ain Ghazal on the outskirts of Amman, Jordan are made of reeds and twine covered in lime plaster. They date to around 7200 BCE making them some of the oldest evidence of the use of this material.
Tadelakt is a natural, mineral-based product.
All lime plasters - including those for wet-use - are entirely composed of natural mineral components. Different sizes of aggregates are added depending on the overall effect. From glossy, mirror surfaces, to matte looks, to highly textured and tactile, there is a plaster product to make it happen. Many suppliers today offer color matching to any major brand paint color. The tints used to achieve these colors are also mineral based. Essentially, it’s made entirely out of rocks.
Tadelakt is ecologically sound and sustainable.
The alchemy of lime plaster is completed in its curing process. It has gone from limestone (and other minerals) to a powder, to a paste, and now is drying on a wall somewhere. The magic of this material is not done yet! The chemical bonds inside the plaster are looking for carbon atoms. Carbon Dioxide is absorbed by the wall, trapping the carbon, and then losing the Oxygen atoms through evaporation into the air. It literally breathes through this process. In the end, the amount of carbon the plaster pulls out of the air and captures offsets the carbon emitted during its production. Not only is it all natural, it also positively contributes to the environment. For this reason, lime plaster is a component of green building programs such as the Leed building certification.
Learn about these chemical processes, called “the lime cycle” here.
Tadelakt is anti-fungal/microbial/bacterial.
Like all lime plasters, Tadelakt cures to a pH that is right around 13. That is the same as household bleach, meaning the environment of your walls, ceilings, or other surfaces are a total hellscape for things like mold, mildew, germs, and the like.
The walls of this Master Bath/Shower are smooth, luxurious, and waterproof, making Tadelakt an amazing, eco-friendly choice
Tadelakt is suitable for new construction and remodels.
For a long time, there were very particular requirements to create a substrate for something like Tadelakt. This could often be a barrier to entry for many as the costs just to get the walls ready could potentially be high before the plaster work even begins. Today, with the wealth of products on the market, solutions exist that allow for it to be applied over existing tiles and other surfaces that don’t require demolition or anywhere near the prep work. In new construction, the walls are typically set up as if for tile, with a waterproof barrier and cement backer boards (e.g. hardibacker boards), however waterproof drywall can also be used as long as waterproofing measures are taken during its installation.
Tadelakt is durable and long-lasting.
Lime plasters get harder and stronger over time. It’s durability is amazing, and the classic and architectural effect means your walls and surfaces will look timelessly beautiful no matter how your decor or tastes may change.
If you are interested in adding the incredible look, feel and functionality of Tadelakt to your home or business, get in touch with Chris today!
White Tadelakt (Sagle, ID)
From modern, to classic, to old world or industrial, Tadelakt provides a sophisticated touch to any style
