Limecrete
Tadelakt microcement of great hardness and handmade finishes
With Limecrete, our lime-based tadelakt microcement, we once again demonstrate that at Luxury Concrete we have no limits when it comes to designing and manufacturing high-performance continuous cladding.
Thus, Limecrete is a step forward in terms of its technical characteristics, but we also show our respect for tradition and handcrafted finishes.
In this way, we have done it again. We have succeeded in developing a product with extraordinary hardness and extraordinary mechanical resistance, combined with the ability to achieve exceptional tadelakt and fair-faced concrete finishes on floors and walls that will stand the test of time and remain in their original condition.
Discover a new range of high-performance microcements where technology meets craftsmanship.
Limecrete EXTRA: tadelakt microcement for preparation and finishing
Limecrete Extra is the highly versatile tadelakt microcement that offers the option of being used in both the preparation and the finishing of the application process.
This two-component, lime-based coating, designed for covering floors and walls, can be used both indoors and outdoors, as its application on surfaces makes them more robust and consistent.
Aesthetically, it can be used to obtain fair-faced concrete finishes, depending on whether or not the pore is opened or closed. Its granulometry is coarse and allows rustic finishes to be obtained when used in the finishing phase.
Limecrete BASIC: tadelakt microcement used as a base and also as a finishing
Two-component, lime-based microcement with a finer granulometry than Limecrete Extra, allowing for more natural finishes with the same resistance, both in interiors and exteriors.
It can be used both in the preparation and in the finishing of the application process, when coating floors or walls, increasing the stability and durability of the surfaces in any case.
When used as a finishing coating, this tadelakt microcement provides rustic and stone finishes.
Limecrete MEDIUM: tadelakt microcement used as a base and also as a finishing
This microcement tadelakt finish is used on horizontal and vertical surfaces in interiors and exteriors alike, thanks to its hardness.
Made up of two components and formed on a lime base, it withstands the passage of time and does not crack or crack under any circumstances. It gives the areas to which it is applied a high resistance that leads them to be better preserved for much longer.
Thanks to its composition, grain size and workability, Limecrete M can be used to achieve a wide variety of effects and textures with captivating, attractive and, above all, very natural finishes.
Limecrete THIN: tadelakt microcement finish for walls
This is the coating with the finest aggregate in the Limecrete range, but despite being made up of fine grains, it demonstrates great resistance on walls and other non-trafficable surfaces.
This tadelakt microcement is pure elegance and sophistication. With its 0.1 mm it is more than enough to create unique textures and stucco finishes in a simple way that will last for an unlimited period of time.
Why choose Limecrete tadelakt microcement?
Limecrete is a decorative covering produced in the most sustainable way possible that is capable, through its application, of achieving surfaces full of exclusive textures and nuances. It brings naturalness and delicacy to any room but, nevertheless, it behaves as one of the most resistant microcements on the market and has a series of advantages that we detail below.
Continuity never interrupted
As it does not need expansion joints, Limecrete becomes a covering capable of generating infinite surfaces, wider and brighter, of endless beauty, as this is a material in which there are no fissures or cracks.
Exquisite adhesion
As a decorative coating, Limecrete demonstrates an unusual ability to adapt. It can be applied and adapts perfectly to existing substrates, regardless of whether it is made of concrete, cement, ceramic, cardboard, plaster or plasterboard.
Maximum workability
This is a great advantage compared to other coatings because with such workability you can obtain the desired finish.
Finishes full of naturalness and colour
As Limecrete can be worked over, it offers an immense range of effects and textures. Thus, the tadelakt or fair-faced concrete effects can be obtained in different finishes: matt, satin and gloss.
Can be applied with the "fresco on fresco" technique
This covering is decorative because it can be applied with techniques that would be unthinkable with other materials. Thus, it can be worked with the "fresh on fresh" technique to achieve these appreciated effects.
Hardness and durability in any space
Limecrete is a tadelakt microcement with great decorative qualities due in part to the resistance it possesses, which gives it an extra hardness that allows it to last much longer when applied in interiors or exteriors or on walkable or non-walkable surfaces.
Maintains constant hygiene
Being lime-based, Limecrete has great antibacterial properties that keep any surface in perfect hygienic conditions. In addition, it is very easy to clean as stains and dirt do not cling to the surface.
The continuous cladding with infinite aesthetic possibilities
Limecrete is a decorative cladding that has been created with the purpose of being able to obtain an infinite number of finishes. Thus, we took inspiration from the Moroccan decorative trend used on the walls of luxury riads and the objects, such as vases, that decorated these traditional Moroccan constructions.
Respecting tradition, at Luxury concrete, we have modernised this material so that its effects can be adapted to any decorative style, both those that were trendy in the past and those that are trendy today.
In this way, this tadelakt microcement, characterised by achieving effects and nuances that are only within its reach, such as tadelakt or exposed concrete, is capable of combining these with multiple decorative styles such as Nordic, rustic, classic or vintage.
Tadelakt: the tradition that is in fashion
Softness, naturalness, tradition, warmth, elegance, handcrafted look... All these attributes are present in the walls and floors that are covered with Limecrete as our covering is based on this ancestral material that originated in Morocco 2,000 years ago.
Exposed concrete: a touch of modernity
Limecrete also makes it possible to achieve visual effects such as those of a material like concrete, which, when left exposed, becomes an aesthetic element that is widely used in industrial environments. Thus, with this cladding, rooms can be given this appearance that combines very well with the industrial or minimalist decorative style.
Fresco on fresco: total customisation
In order to achieve the highest level of customisation on any surface, Limecrete can be applied with the "fresco on fresco" technique. This means that the final coat does not have to be applied until the previous one is completely dry, so that it can absorb all the decorative nuances that are always added in the final coat.
The tadelakt microcement with maximum technical performance
Limecrete is a microcement that not only guarantees exceptional decorative results. With this coating it is not necessary to use large quantities of material to achieve the desired results.
However, when applying it, the substrate to be coated must be taken into account, as the performance depends, among other things, on the substrate. In the following, we will see how the different products of the Limecrete range perform in a standard application:
- LIMECRETE EXTRA – (Two coats): 2 kg/m².
- LIMECRETE BASIC – (Two coats): 1.4 kg/m².
- LIMECRETE MEDIUM – (Two coats): 1 kg/m².
- LIMECRETE THIN – (Two coats): 0,5 kg/m².
How to apply Limecrete tadelakt microcement on floors
Step 1. Preparing the substrate
First of all, and for a successful application, it is necessary to clean the surface of grease or dirt, as well as to repair it if it has cracks or other irregularities.
Step 2. Floor priming
To increase the adhesion of the microcement, the substrate must be primed, always with the correct primer depending on the substrate.
Step 3. Laying flexible fibre mesh
It is essential to use a fibre mesh to prevent cracks and crevices before applying Limecrete.
Step 4. Mixing microcement with resin
(see proportions in the technical data sheet)
In this step, first pour the resin into a container, then pour the pigment and stir both until a homogeneous mixture is achieved. Once a homogeneous finish is achieved, add the Limecrete mortar and mix for 4 minutes at low revolutions.
Step 5. Apply 2 coats of Limecrete EXTRA/BASIC microcement
Apply two coats of Limecrete Extra or Basic with a metal trowel, allowing 4 hours of drying time between coats. Then sand with 40 grit. This step is important because the final finish will depend on it.
Step 6. Apply 1 coat of Limecrete EXTRA/BASIC/MEDIUM tadelakt microcement
To achieve the desired finish, apply one coat of Limecrete Medium, Extra or Basic tadelakt microcement. This coat should be left to dry for 4 hours and sanded with 40 grit sandpaper at the end of drying time.
Step 7. Sealing
Once the last coat of Limecrete has been applied, it must be sealed. The sealer should be applied 24 to 48 hours later. Proceed as follows: first apply 2 coats of the primer (allow 4 hours between coats) and finish with the varnish (allow 24 hours between coats).
How to apply Limecrete tadelakt microcement on walls
Step 1. Preparation of the substrate
Clean or repair the wall to leave a consolidated and even substrate on which Limecrete can be applied.
Step 2. Priming of the wall
Use the adhesion promoter best suited to the wall to be coated, taking into account the material characteristics of the wall.
Step 3. Add the resin to the mortar (see proportions in the technical data sheet)
Mix the resin and pigment until a homogeneous finish is achieved. Then add Limecrete microcement and mix at low revolutions for 4 minutes.
Step 4. Apply 2 coats of Limecrete Extra/Basic tadelakt microcement
Apply two coats of Limecrete Extra or Limecrete Basic with a metal trowel and allow each coat to dry for 4 hours. After drying time, sand with 40 grit sandpaper.
Step 5. Apply 1 coat of Limecret EXTRA / BASIC / MEDIUM / THIN tadelakt microcement
To finish decorating and achieve the desired finish, apply 1 coat of tadelakt microcement Extra, Basic, Medium or Thin. Drying time between coats: 4 hours. Once dry, sand each coat with 40 grit sandpaper.
Step 6. Sealing
Seal with 2 coats of primer, 24-48 hours after applying the topcoat. Allow 4 hours between coats. Then use 2 coats of varnish, allowing 24 hours between coats.
Frequently asked questions about tadelakt microcement
1. What is tadelakt?
Composed of various limes, tadelakt is a coating with a stucco effect that ensures finishes full of naturalness and very high levels of impermeability. It is a handcrafted decorative technique used when the aim is to obtain areas full of softness and spaces full of warmth.
2. What does tadelakt consist of?
Tadelakt is a decorative technique that emerged approximately 2,000 years ago and is obtained by dyeing lime with natural pigments. Although it is an eminently traditional technique, applied by hand with a trowel, its formula has evolved to include a mixture of lime powder and marble. This is obtained by dyeing the lime with natural pigments and then polishing it with pebbles.
3. What is the origin of tadelakt?
Tadelakt originated in Morocco two millennia ago as a decorative technique used to protect the walls of the hammams from humidity and to give them a special touch. Due to its aesthetic qualities, it was also used in riads or to create decorative elements such as vases or jars.
As a term, it comes from the Arabic verb 'dakala' and means 'to polish, to massage'.
4. Main advantages of tadelakt
Tadelakt microcement has a series of virtues, both technical and aesthetic, which make it one of the most widely used stuccos in the sector when it comes to creating resistant surfaces with specific aesthetic effects. Below, we will detail those that stand out the most:
100% sustainable
Tadelakt is made with natural materials and through processes that respect the environment so as not to leave a footprint on the planet. This ancient covering is still manufactured in the traditional way to reduce its ecological footprint.
Highly waterproof
This coating is the most suitable for application in spaces where there may be very high ambient humidity. It is recommended for bathrooms and other rooms where water vapour is common, as it prevents mould and other moisture-related problems from appearing.
Multiple finishes
In addition to its effects and nuances, tadelakt has a wide variety of colours with which to achieve the most personalised finishes and create spaces that adapt to the tastes of the client.
High durability
This coating makes it possible to create surfaces that remain in perfect condition, resisting knocks and other threats thanks to its lime content.
Versatility of application
Due to its great constructive properties, tadelakt microcement can be used on any surface or location. Thus, it can be applied on walls and floors both indoors and outdoors. Applicable from facades to furniture, this coating has been proving its great versatility for 2,000 years.
5. Can Limecrete be used outdoors?
As it has outstanding chemical and mechanical resistance, Limecrete is a tadelakt microcement that can be applied to outdoor surfaces with total guarantee.
6. Does tadelakt microcement require a mesh when applied?
As it is lime-based, Limecrete has hardly any shrinkage, which makes it a very durable microcement in which it is rare for cracks to appear. Even so, to obtain the best results, the use of the mesh is recommended, especially when the surfaces to be covered are pavements.
7. Which primer is the most suitable?
At Luxury Concrete we have a range of adhesion promoters that can be applied with Limecrete. We recommend Primacrete ABS or Primacrete Plus and, in case of wet rooms, Impoxy primer, our two-component epoxy system.
8. Is it possible to create new colours of Limecrete tadelakt microcement?
The Limecrete colour chart has 34 colours but, as a sign of its great adaptability to the customer's tastes, other shades can be created without any problem.
9. Are all Limecrete granulometries suitable for floors and walls?
No. Although the grain sizes Extra, Basic and Medium can be used on both floors and vertical surfaces, the grain size Thin can only be used on walls.
10. Can water or resin be added to Limecrete tadelakt microcement?
Yes, but it must be done meticulously. So, if you want to make it more fluid, you can add resin without exceeding 2%. In any case, it is recommended to see the technical data sheet.