Tadelakt
A Moroccan Technique, Hand-Burnished
Tadelakt originates in Morocco, where it was traditionally used to line hammams, cisterns, and water vessels — anywhere a wall needed to hold up to constant moisture. It's a lime-based plaster, hand-applied in at least two coats with a steel trowel, then burnished until it develops a smooth, satin finish with genuine warmth and texture — no grout lines, no seams, no visible joints.
It's available in natural white or any custom color through our matching system, and in a fully natural formulation for clients who want the material free of synthetic additives entirely — hydrated lime, marble powders, and plant-based binders such as vegetable starches, cellulose, and milk derivatives in place of the standard chemical additives.
Origin
Morocco · Lime-based
Location
Interior and exterior
Sheen Range
Smooth to Satin
Application
2+ hand-troweled coats
Best For
Showers, wet rooms, feature walls
One Material, Three Roles
The same Tadelakt plaster, specified and sealed differently depending on where it's going.
Wet Areas
Finished with a dedicated two-coat waterproof sealer, applied once the plaster has fully cured — the manufacturer's specified treatment for walk-in showers, tub surrounds, and steam rooms.
- SHOWERS
- STEAM ROOMS
- TUB SURROUNDS
Dry Interior
- FEATURE WALLS
- POWDER ROOMS
- KITCHENS
Exterior Accents
- POOL SURROUNDS
- COVERED PATIOS
- OUTDOOR KITCHENS
Why It Holds Up Here
Constant humidity and salt air are exactly the conditions Tadelakt was engineered for — just not by accident, and not without the right sealer.
- Seamless by Design: No grout lines means no joints for moisture, mold, or salt residue to collect in — a real advantage over tile in a humid coastal bathroom.
- Breathable by Nature: As with our other lime finishes, Tadelakt allows the wall behind it to breathe — important on coastal substrates where trapped moisture, not just surface water, causes long-term damage.
- Sealed to the Job: We specify sealer strength and reapplication schedule based on whether a wall sees constant water, occasional splash, or dry display — not a one-size answer.
Four Steps to a Finished Wall
The same disciplined process on every project, whatever the room.
01
Sample & Consult
We walk the space, talk through wet-area vs. dry-area needs, and leave a real sample panel, including color and sealer - so you're deciding on the actual finish, not a photo of one.
02
Substrate Preparation
New plaster needs no primer at all. Old plaster, limewash, polished lime, or painted walls each get a coat of primer suited to that surface before Tadelakt goes on — no crumbling substrate, ever.
03
Hand Application
Hand-troweled in at least two coats — roughly 850–900 g/m² for the base coat, 1,050–1,300 g/m² for the second — then pressed and burnished with trowel or stone until the surface "creams" and the micro-pores close up.
04
Seal & Document
Once cured, we seal to the space and include a formula record issued for future repairs or matching.
Tadelakt, Answered
Is Tadelakt really waterproof?
Not on its own. The lime in Tadelakt is hydraulic - it hardens with water, which is different from repelling water. Hand-burnished Tadelakt is naturally water-resistant, but full waterproofing for a shower or sauna calls for the manufacturer's two-coat sealer, applied at least 48 hours after the plaster is finished. Bathroom walls and splashbacks that see occasional water, rather than constant exposure, are typically protected with an olive-oil soap treatment instead. We specify the right one for how the wall will actually be used.
Can Tadelakt go outside?
Yes — Tadelakt is rated for both interior and exterior use, though exterior application is less common and needs sealing and detailing appropriate to sustained sun and salt exposure. Covered patios, outdoor kitchens, and pool surrounds are typical exterior applications.
How is Tadelakt different from Marmorino?
Both are lime-based and hand-troweled, but Tadelakt is burnished to a smooth satin finish specifically engineered for wet-area sealing, while Marmorino is polished for a marble-like sheen. Tadelakt is the right call for a shower; Marmorino is the right call for a statement living-room wall.
FUNCTIONAL PLASTER
See Tadelakt in your own light.
Every project starts with a free consultation and a real sample panel - including a live demonstration of the sealed, water-resistant finish.