Moroccan Tadelak Finish That Conquered Bathrooms

What is Tadelak?

The word tadelak comes from Arabic, more precisely from the verb 'malaka', meaning 'to massage, rub, or polish'. Tadelak is a coating technique widespread in Morocco. Appreciated for its water resistance, tadelak was originally intended to protect hammam walls from moisture. It was also used in riads or pools, and for making ceramics and Moroccan pots. Tadelak is made from lime (traditionally from Marrakech), dyed with natural pigments and polished with pebbles to give it a smooth, glossy appearance resembling stone. Today's tadelak has been modernized and is usually produced from a mixture of lime and marble powder, polished with a trowel. Interior designers love it for its traditional and warm atmosphere, as well as the wide range of colors available. It can be used in any decor style. It blends beautifully with both modern and rustic aesthetics, whether in an apartment or a house. The choice depends on how you want to use it!

Advantages of Tadelak in the Bathroom

Firstly, this material is designed for aesthetics and hygiene (it truly is antibacterial like concrete, especially due to the antifungal and bactericidal properties of lime). It is also a fully eco-friendly finish. Another advantage: tadelak withstands very high humidity, making it ideal for hammams and perfect for preventing hidden moisture in bathrooms. It also allows walls to breathe. There are no issues with mold or paint peeling, which often occur in humid spaces like bathrooms.

Tadelak also offers a wide range of shades to meet all your decorative needs and various finishes depending on the desired look: black soap, which gives a very glossy appearance and makes walls water-permeable (ideal for wet rooms), reflecting light; matte wax for a discreet matte finish; and silver lacquer to add a metallic sheen. The last advantage of tadelak: its durability: indeed, it has an exceptional lifespan and will not change for decades with proper care.

Disadvantages of Tadelak in the Bathroom

Although it has many advantages and is very aesthetic, tadelak also has some drawbacks that are important to know before choosing this material. Tadelak must be applied according to the rules of art. Additionally, it requires perfect substrate preparation. Each base requires its own method of preparation—don't hesitate to seek advice from a professional. Be cautious in the first weeks: tadelak needs time to achieve its true strength. Avoid impacts and monitor for defects! Finally, tadelak is a relatively expensive material: expect 150 to 200 euros per square meter. For this reason, it is usually used only on small surfaces.