F r o m M a r o c c a n t a d e l a k t t o C r e t a n t a d e l a k t
The word TADELAKT comes from the Arabic verb dalaka that means to polish. It is a Moroccan polished lime plaster traditionally used for water tanks, hammams and recently for bathroom.
It consists of a special lime, extracted from a limestone from the Marrakech region. The impurities it contains, make it hydraulic and the traditional firing process gives it a coarse texture, that makes it unnecessary to add aggregates. The material is also rich in lime binder, which naturally creates the microcracks that make the unique beauty of tadelakt.
Crete and Marrakech are at a distance of 4500 km, as the crow flies. To import lime from Morocco on the island which owns so many quality materials seems to us un-logical and un-ecological.
We have adapted the local lime so that it presents the characteristics of the tadelakt by adding marble powder and earth of Crete as well as pozzolanic aggregates of the Cyclades in order to create our own Cretan tadelakt.
It consists of a special lime, extracted from a limestone from the Marrakech region. The impurities it contains, make it hydraulic and the traditional firing process gives it a coarse texture, that makes it unnecessary to add aggregates. The material is also rich in lime binder, which naturally creates the microcracks that make the unique beauty of tadelakt.
Crete and Marrakech are at a distance of 4500 km, as the crow flies. To import lime from Morocco on the island which owns so many quality materials seems to us un-logical and un-ecological.
We have adapted the local lime so that it presents the characteristics of the tadelakt by adding marble powder and earth of Crete as well as pozzolanic aggregates of the Cyclades in order to create our own Cretan tadelakt.
The polishing step with a pebble and black soap - or soap with olive oil from Crete - is key. It allows to tighten the plaster by obstructing the pores and, therefore, to strengthen the impermeability of the plaster. Polishing helps the soap to penetrate the lime, so that the two materials are fully integrated.
The pebble polishing gives uneven shades of color to the finishing touch, due to variations in the pressure applied by the stone on the surface of the wall. The stronger it is, the darker the tone will be. This phenomenon causes the irregular patina that gives the tadelakt its natural character.
The pebble polishing gives uneven shades of color to the finishing touch, due to variations in the pressure applied by the stone on the surface of the wall. The stronger it is, the darker the tone will be. This phenomenon causes the irregular patina that gives the tadelakt its natural character.