Choosing Concretta microcement over Tadelakt has become increasingly common when it comes to luxury plaster finishes for bathrooms, showers, and modern interiors. While Tadelakt has long been admired for its Old World appeal, today’s designers, contractors, and homeowners are turning to microcement plaste, specifically Meoded Concretta FS, as a more durable, versatile, and long-lasting alternative.
While Tadelakt remains beautiful, it often comes with limitations, maintenance demands, application challenges, and durability concerns in high-use or wet environments. Concretta microcement plaster offers the aesthetic sophistication of hand-applied plaster with the performance benefits required for modern living.
Below, we break down Five Key Reasons why Concretta microcement plaster is a smarter choice than Tadelakt, especially for showers, bathrooms, humid environments, as well as no demolition, renovation application needs.
What Is Concretta Microcement Plaster?
Concretta is a high-performance microcement plaster system designed to create seamless, contemporary surfaces with exceptional durability in wet and humid spaces. Applied in thin, buildable layers, Concretta was developed with superb adhesion to bond to a wide variety of substrates, including cement board, concrete, and even existing tile.
Once sealed with PlasterGuard or PlasterSeal Plus, Concretta becomes suitable for wet areas, making it ideal for showers, bathrooms, backsplashes, and low-traffic floors. Its strength, flexibility, and design range make it a top choice for both residential and commercial projects.
What Is Tadelakt?
Tadelakt is a traditional Moroccan lime plaster known for its soft, polished stone appearance. Historically sealed with olive oil soap, beeswax, and burnished with stones, Tadelakt is naturally water-resistant and often used in hammams and decorative wall applications.
However, Tadelakt requires highly specialized installation techniques, frequent maintenance, and careful daily use. While beautiful, it is less forgiving in modern, high-traffic or frequently wet environments like showers and bathrooms.
5 Reasons Why Choosing Concretta Microcement Over Tadelakt Makes Sense
1. Greater Durability and Impact Resistance
Concretta microcement is engineered for strength. Its lime-and-cement composition delivers immediate durability from the cement component, while the lime continues to gain strength over time through natural carbonation. This balanced formulation allows Concretta to withstand daily wear and impact far better than traditional lime plasters.
- Ideal for high-use bathrooms, showers, and commercial spaces
- Resistant to scratching, chipping, and surface bruising
- Maintains integrity in busy households and hospitality environments
Tadelakt, while beautiful, is softer by nature and relies on ongoing maintenance-typically every 3-6 months-to preserve its surface. Without consistent care, it can scratch, chip, or bruise more easily. In demanding areas such as showers, around fixtures, or in homes with children or frequent use, this inherent softness can make the surface more vulnerable to wear and impact.
2. Easier Application and More Installer-Friendly
Concretta is designed with modern applicators in mind:
- Can be applied directly over tile, granite, marble and other surfaces
- Applies in thin, buildable layers
- Accepts mesh reinforcement for added strength
- Typically installed as:
- 2 coats of microcement plaster
- 3 coats of professional sealer
This makes installation more predictable, scalable, and repeatable.
By contrast, Tadelakt installation is highly technique-dependent:
- Requires specialized training and experience
- Can only be applied over carefully designed substrates
- Typically involves:
- 2 coats of base plaster
- 2–3 coats of Tadelakt plaster
- Multiple coats of sealer and soap treatments
Fewer installers can execute Tadelakt properly, increasing labor costs and risk.
3. Versatile Finish Options
Concretta offers unmatched aesthetic versatility:
- Comes in 88 curated colors and can be custom tinted
- Matte, satin, or gloss finishes
- Works seamlessly in modern, organic, minimal, and luxury interiors
It can be customized for contemporary bathrooms, minimalist showers, warm Mediterranean spaces, or sleek commercial designs.
Tadelakt, on the other hand, delivers a very specific look:
- Polished, soap-finished stone appearance
- Limited texture options
While timeless, it lacks the flexibility many designers want today.
4. Suitable for Wet and High-Moisture Areas
When paired with PlasterGuard or PlasterSeal Plus, Concretta becomes a fully integrated shower plaster system.
One of Concretta’s biggest advantages is its adaptability. Concretta Microcement plaster may be applied directly over existing tile, making it ideal for renovations.
Ideal Applications Include:
- Shower plaster walls
- Bathroom walls and vanities
- Kitchen backsplashes
- Countertops
- Low-traffic floors
- Fireplaces
- Retail, hospitality, and commercial interiors requiring durability
Concretta’s sealers are engineered for longevity and moisture resistance, maintaining protection for years.
Tadelakt is also moisture-resistant and can be used in showers—but its soap-based sealers wear off much faster, leaving surfaces vulnerable to:
- Water intrusion
- Soap staining
- Etching and discoloration
5. Maintenance Requirements
Concretta Maintenance:
- Resealing every 3–5 years
- Minimal daily care
- Highly resistant to wear and tear
Tadelakt Maintenance:
- Resealing every 3–6 months
- Requires gentle, soap-specific cleaning
- Surface is more susceptible to damage over time
For homeowners and commercial clients alike, Concretta offers long-term peace of mind with significantly lower maintenance demands.
Ready to Start Your Concretta Microcement Project?
Whether you’re a homeowner planning a bathroom or shower upgrade, or an installer looking for a high-performance microcement plaster system, Concretta delivers the durability, water-repellent performance, and design flexibility that modern spaces demand.
From seamless shower walls and waterproof plaster bathrooms to kitchen backsplashes and commercial interiors, Concretta offers the beauty of handcrafted plaster with the reliability today’s projects require.
Find a Meoded Dealer Near You to get product guidance, pricing, and expert support for your next microcement or waterproof plaster project.
Top 10 FAQs About Tadelakt, Shower Plaster & Waterproof Plaster
- Is microcement waterproof enough for showers?
Yes. When sealed with PlasterGuard or PlasterSeal Plus, Concretta functions as a fully water-repellent plaster system ideal for shower walls. - Can Concretta replace Tadelakt in a shower?
Absolutely. Concretta delivers a similar handcrafted look with far greater durability and less maintenance. - How long does microcement last in wet areas?
With proper installation and sealing, Concretta can last decades with resealing every 3–5 years. - Does microcement crack in showers?
When installed correctly over a properly prepared substrate, Concretta is highly resistant to cracking. - Is microcement better than Tadelakt for bathrooms?
Yes. Concretta microcement outperforms Tadelakt in durability, moisture resistance, and ease of maintenance. - Can microcement be applied over tile in showers?
Yes. One of Concretta Microcement’s key advantages is its ability to bond directly over existing tile. - What’s the difference between waterproof plaster and microcement?
Microcement plasters that are sealed properly become waterproof plaster finishes. For example, Concretta microcement by Meoded, once sealed with its designated sealers, forms a sealed water repellent barrier that is suitable for showers, bathrooms, and other wet areas as part of a complete waterproofing installation system. - Is Concretta microcement slippery in showers?
When properly installed, Concretta can be finished to provide slip resistance in shower floors. For wet floor applications, Meoded recommends incorporating its Anti-Skid (anti-slippery) additive into the final coat of the PlasterSeal Plus sealer. This adds a minimal grit to the surface that improves slip resistance without compromising the appearance of the finished surface. - Does Concretta stain like Tadelakt?
Concretta’s sealing system is more durable and washable than Tadelakt’s traditional soap and wax system, making it more resistant to stains and easier to maintain. - How often does Concretta need maintenance?
Concretta microcement typically needs to be resealed every 3–5 years – far less frequent than Tadelakt.