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We consistently receive a lot of interest in our Tadelakt material. Below is an edited version of some previously posted information on Tadelakt Installation:
General information:
If you’re not familiar with Tadelakt, it’s a wonderful material. A traditional Moroccan wall finish, originating in the Marrakesh Region, is is found in the Hammams, the Moroccan steam bath, and in the riads of Marrakesh.
Here is some advice on how to easily apply Stucco Italiano’s Tadelakt. We have included some notes to compare this modern application method with the antique or traditional Moroccan method. Installers are often using more modern application methods to give a more refined effect compared to those obtained with the rougher, more rustic methods which use less sophisticated tools and less refined products.
Tadelakt - How to apply:
The preparation of the substrate is similar to that used with Stucco Italiano Marmorino Carrara. The ideal substrate is new plaster composed of lime, a little cement and sand. It can also be applied over old substrates as long as there is no crumbling and it has been treated with a primer.
Mix an 18 kg. container of material with about 6.5 – 7 kg of water. Once the material is well-mixed, it can be colored and then left to rest for about a half an hour. It can then be applied, either that day or the next. (The material will still be good for several days if it is kept in a sealed container away from heat. However, it’s best to apply it within 2 or 3 days.)
After the substrate has been prepared, the first coat, tinted or not (white), is applied with a metal trowel. (With the traditional Moroccan method, it is applied with a tool similar to a Swiss trowel which leaves a slightly wavy surface.) Let the first coat dry completely (overnight). Remember that part of the pattern that is left in the first coat will be visible in the finished work.
Before beginning the second coat, we advise, as we do in the instructions for Marmorino Carrara, to replace all the protective tape. For the second coat, apply the material with the color of your preference with a large, metal trowel. As with Marmorino Carrara, it should be applied over the entire surface smoothing out any marks left by the trowel, keeping in mind that any marks left at this stage with remain visible in the final surface. (For those wishing for a completely smooth surface, pass over the entire surface with a with a sponge float.) Let it dry a little until it loses its shine, which is due to an excess of water. In some places you will see a slight lightening of the color. At this point you can apply the third coat using the same material and the same big trowel, or a smaller one if you chose.
The important thing is to use a trowel with sharp edges. Apply a thin layer, pressing (unifying) the second and the third coat into one thickness. You will have to pass over the surface numerous times, always moving the trowel in different directions until you achieved the desired finish. If you see bubbles appear during this stage, you’ll need to wait a little more before the final burnishing stage.
It may be advantageous at the final stage of polishing to use a plastic trowel, especially with lighter colors, to avoid burning the surface. At this point in traditional Moroccan applications, the burnishing is done with a polished stone that, given its round shape, allows the artisan to follow the wavy surface which has been created in the preceding coats with the Swiss-type trowel.
When the Tadelakt is completely dry, usually after one or more days, it can be protected with a special Moroccan soap (the same one which is still used in the public, Moroccan baths) which is made from olive oil. The soap is spread as is, or diluted up to 100%, with as much water as desired. Since this soap is very dark, we advise that it be well-diluted when applied on light colors in order to avoid unwanted discolorations. Normally it should be applied with a metal trowel, rubbing it on the surface until it is completely absorbed. Any excess soap can be removed using a cloth after about 10 minutes.
Next Post: Tadelakt for showers, countertops, and floors. I’ll try to have that ready that for tomorrow. You can subscribe to our blog if you don’t want to miss this post.
INTRODUCING OUR NEW, All-in-One, Master Venetian Plaster Training, Materials, & Support Program
Let’s face it. These days, we’re all pinching pennies a little more than we have in the past. You are looking for more value than ever before when you reach into your pocketbook.
That’s why we are enhancing our classes by adding FREE materialand tools to take home after class, and offering GUARANTEED, ongoing, on-the-job support for our students and customers.
Whether you are a homeowner looking for a way to economically remodel your home, or a professional artisan aspiring to be at the top of the field, we can help you succeed.
High quality is important to you, but you don’t want to pay high prices for installation. Well, pick up a trowel and plaster it yourself! This one-day class introduces beginners to the foundation of Venetian plastering… (Read more about Plaster-It-Yourself)
The beginning to intermediate artisan who recognizes the importance of using the highest quality materials and the best techniques can take his or her career to the next level by becoming certified as a Stucco Italiano Installer… (Read more about Stucco Italiano Certification)
The future of interior design is green. While your clients are increasingly demanding all-natural materials that won’t harm the environment, they don’t want to sacrifice style. During this intermediate to advanced level intensive, you will learn a wide variety of the most sought-after finishes in the field, using only the finest non-toxic lime-based plasters… (Read more about Master Venetian Plaster: Total Immersion)
Sometimes you want to skip the natural look and go for a bolder texture, finish, or glaze. You need the versatility of an acrylic material, and we use only the best: Golden Proceed. (Read more about Go Golden: The Proceed Line)
Upcoming Class Schedule
PIY (Plaster-It-Yourself): The Basics (1-Day Workshop)
February 21, 2009 (Sat)
April 25, 2009 (Sat)
Stucco Italiano Certification Course (3-Day Class)
February 23-25, 2009 (Mon-Wed)
April 27-29, 2009 (Mon-Wed)
Master Venetian Plaster: Total Immersion (3-Day Class
Thanks to Steve Manby of Authentic Plaster Effects and Alltex Stucco for submitting video of his crew doing an impressive Tadelakt installation in the Vancouver, BC area. Watch how they create a very natural distressed finish by starting with a strong vertical pattern and gradually backfilling into the pattern. Looks very realistic and organic.
Work was done on about 50 columns total on this impressive home which also features a naturally green, lime based Intonachino application on the exterior.
OK I’m a little behind on this one, but I promise to try and get this done every week.
Dutch manufacturer of natural lime and clay plaster Tierrafino has very nice gallery of Tadelakt finishes here…Gallery
(FYI - if you’re interested in using Stucco Italiano’s natural lime Tadelakt you can find more info here)
Environmental Building Strategies Blog mentions Venetian plaster as alternative LEED compliant wall finish:A rarely ever discussed subject is the alternative wall coverings that exist out there…Blog posting
Review of Michelangelo and the Pope’s ceiling on VP artisan’s blog: It reads more like a story…Blog post
Mud for Everyone is a blog that talks a lot about, not lime, but natural earthen plasters: The form of the building is almost complete and now for the artistic part! It’s time to plaster the mud brick walls to help protect them and add strength and beauty to the building…Blog post
Master Vancouver BC area plaster guy Steve Manbyhas lots of good photos of some recent exterior installations…here
That’s the roundup for this week. If you have anything you’d like to share let us know and we’ll take a look.
OK starting today, Dear Reader, every week we’ll try and anthologize some of the more interesting things we’ve seen regarding Venetian and other decorative lime plasters from around the internets including articles, blog posts, photos, whatever.
If you have a project or photo or an article or a post you’d like to have considered for inclusion please submit to info@stuccoitaliano.us
Here’s this weeks’ roundup:
Friend and talented colleague iLia Anossov releases new DVD: Fresco School is proud to announce the official release of the DVD Tutorial - “FRESCO PLASTER” from their “BUON FRESCO FOUNDATIONS” video set…full news release
Short article from French News source on Tadelakt:One of the most dramatic expressions of the multifaceted qualities of lime must be Tadelakt…Full story
Accent walls in kitchen from Sunset magazine:The kitchen and dining area are defined by Venetian plaster sealed with wax, which brings depth and sheen…Article
French artist’s blog:I just finished a course in Tadelakt which took place in the hills around Maubec, south of France…Blog post
Informative article on Venetian Plaster’s natural mold resistance:Not only is real Venetian Plaster a great addition and upgrade–and a green building product–it is absolutely beautiful. What many people are unaware of, however, is that it is also quite environmentally-friendly…Full article
Intonachino Project BC: I recently started a 1700ft lime based plaster project in Langley, B.C…Blog post
That’s it for this week. Seattle remains snowed in. Hope you’re all staying warm and not stuck in an airport this frigid holiday season!
We’re all looking for ways to ride out this economic downturn…
For those looking to earn some extra income:
Environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional building materials, like installing Venetian plaster using our natural, lime based materials, is still a growing segment of the building industry. Smaller projects can be done on your own time (well, your client might have some input on that as well), so it can work for you as a supplemental income.
For those who are already professional contractors:
If you’re already a plaster artisan, the material you’re using can have a big impact on your productivity. Experienced independent contractor Mozelle Spencer describes how using Stucco Italiano plasters helps her maximize her time and profits:
“I am so impressed with this product line. We love using Stucco Italiano on our job sites. The ease of use when burnishing the Marmorino has enabled us to create numerous gorgeous finishes. Finishes that once we avoided due to how labor intensive the high polish plasters were. The Carrara and Classic are our favorites. The clean up on job sites is easier and the use of time is more productive and profitable.“
For the plaster-curious, as well as the master plasterers who haven’t tried our superior lime-based plasters, we’ve provided a link to download our print-ready Stucco Italiano catalog.
Simply click on the picture below (be patient… it’s a large file).
Last week we had a round of our Venetian Plastering classes with new students from all over the country. One of the great benefits of our Stucco Italiano Certification (VP2) and Advanced (VP3) courses is the opportunity to not only perfect your techniques by working on the sample boards, but to also get the feel of working on larger surfaces, and even real walls. Scroll down to see photos of Gary helping remodel our new conference room, building his real-world Venetian plastering expertise.
If you’re a former student of ours and are looking to update your skills, consider taking advantage of our Portfolio Builder and Product Update Workshop next month: November 14-15. You pay for supplies only, have the chance to work on large surfaces, and learn the hottest new finishes. And of course, network with your fellow artisans as we go out to dinner Friday night!
Tadelakt is quickly becoming the favorite finish for many of our customers and their clients. The finish is known for its beautiful exotic aesthetic and its durability, especially water-resistance. In fact, Tadelakt is traditionally used in the Hammans, Moroccan steam baths.
Our friend Steve Manby up in Vancouver just did an impressive job applying Tadelakt on some columns.
I’m going to show you examples of three simple tools that some of our most successful plasterers are using to spread the word about the exciting work they do. Whether you are a beginner embarking on your Venetian plaster career or an experienced artisan, you don’t have to spend money on expensive ads to benefit from today’s most effective promotional tools.
The three methods I’m going to share with you require only internet access, a digital video and/or still camera, and a willingness to showcase your wall finishing skills. In between jobs? Devote your day off to any one of these tools and you’ll be on your way to building your customer base while still having fun. And for those of you who are computer-phobic, they are less complex than you may think. The simple techniques I’ll discuss are:
1. Taking photos.
2. Making videos.
3. Starting a blog.
1. Taking Photos.
Have you ever tried to describe the beauty and benefits of Venetian plaster to someone who is completely unfamiliar with it? The easiest way to explain a finish is to show it. For Venetian Plaster artisans, the saying “a picture is worth a thousand words” rings especially true. What better way sell your clients high-end finishes than to let them see the incredible results for themselves?
Tom Williams sent us these photos of an Intonachino Medium and X-Fine project-in-progress in the Ballard neighborhood of Seattle, sure to inspire envy in anyone using an inferior finish.
We use flickr to share our photos. Click here to create your own photosharing page, or email us your Venetian plastering photos and we’ll post them here on our blog.
2. Making videos.
This is a very concrete way to showcase your undeniable talent. Use any digital video camera to document your process. If you don’t have a video camera, remember that many still digital cameras have the ability to make short videos– the perfect length for uploading to youtube to share with the world! Lars Hansen of Hansen Handcrafted Finishes taped his process while working with Tadelakt for an outdoor shower on a modern home. Here’s the first installment:
Check out his new youtube channel to watch more, or sign up to make a youtube channel of your own. To reach an audience interested in Venetian plastering, send your video link to us and we’ll embed it on our blog.
The other great thing about youtube is that it ranks high in Google searches, which makes it easy for people searching for Venetian plaster artisans in your area to find you!
3. Starting a blog.
Use your own stories to introduce yourself to your clients. Often a personal touch makes the difference in getting hired by a client. Sharing your successes online is a great way to generate buzz and network with others in your field.
Randy Orr just posted these kind words about us on his blog:
“I have to give a quick yet special thanks to Aaron and Kay Lynn at SAFS (Seattle Architectual Finishing School) for supplying me with the Marmornino in such short notice. I know we all may have had experiences with manufacturers or distributors from time to time, where the customer service can make us cringe. But you guys at SAFS came through! And so did FedEx. Thank you so much!”
Randy was kind enough to link to us, which prompts us to link back to him. This means exposure for both businesses and everybody wins!
We use wordpress for our blog, but blogger and typepad are other options that are a bit more beginner-friendly, with clear step-by-step instructions that will have you blogging within minutes.
If any of these techniques inspire you, send us a link to your photos, videos, or blog and we’ll post it here for even more exposure! Have fun and good luck.
We just received a very nice card from one of our recent Venetian Plastering students, Erika Bartlett of Bartlett Custom Finishes and Murals.
“I am writing to extend my warmest thanks for my experience in the Venetian Plastering class held in late August. I learned so much from our three days working– not only from Aaron’s instruction, but also from my classmates. I would definitely recommend this class to anyone. Also, as a student with a bit less experience, I felt completely comfortable. Everyone was really approachable. I will keep in touch as to my progress. Thank you again!”
Thank you, Erika! Read more student testimonials here.
