Tadelakt or Tadellakt is a bright, nearly waterproof lime plaster which can be used on the inside of buildings and on the outside. It is the traditional coating of the palaces, hammams and bathrooms of the riads in Morocco. Its traditional application includes being polished with a river stone and treated with a soft soap to acquire its final appearance and water resistance. Tadelakt has a luxurious, soft aspect with undulations due to the work of the artisans who finish it; in certain installations, it is suitable for making bathtubs, showers, and washbasins and confers great decorative capacities. Traditionally, tadelakt is produced with the lime of the area of Marrakech.
The restoration of the riads of Morocco has focused attention on this ancient technique.
Expanded Definition
Tadelakt generally refers to any lime plaster applied according to the principles and techniques of Moroccan tadelakt, but using the lime bodies available in places other than Marrakech.
Defining Materials
The basic characteristics of a tadelakt plaster are these: 1) It is a lime plaster. It does not include Portland cement. 2) It may include fine marble or limestone sand, but not other aggregates. 3) It has been compressed when plastic, eliminating all voids. 4) It has been mechanically polished, using stones or abrasives that are harder than the plaster finish, to provide a smooth, sometimes shiny, finish. 5) It has been treated with a natural soap (often "black" or olive oil soap) to speed carbonation of the surface and render the surface more water-resistant.
Defining Techniques
Basically the plater powder has to be blended with water 12 to 15 hours prior of the pigment mix. The walls where the platter paste will be applied has to be prepared with cement. There is an easy machine that spits cement to the wall. After the first paste coat on the wall, theres 2 smoothing techniques, one made with a normal wooden shovel, and one last one made with this smooth little stone that will make all imperfections go away.
See also
External links
See also
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