Natural and Grout-Free Shower
Tadelakt water-resistant plaster works in wet spaces for a modern look without the need for tile and grout.
Whether they’re square, subway, or large-format, tiles all end up with one thing in common: grout lines. And in showers, grout lines create an opportunity for fungus and mold to form and require frequent and laborious attention to keep clean. A trending alternative is to use concrete, but the environmental implications of concrete are unappealing. There is a third option: tadelakt, a centuries-old water-resistant lime-based plaster finish that originates from Morocco and is suitable for wet spaces, all without the need for grout.
For cleaning, warm water and soap are all you need, rather than any harsh chemicals, which sounds like a healthier option all around. If you plan to use tadelakt on the shower floor, Color Atelier also advises using an epoxy sealer instead of their standard wax sealer, which is best for walls and surrounds.
Tadelakt from Color Atelier comes in 13 different natural-looking colors and is sold in 32-lb. buckets for just under $190 each. The base costs $120 and the sealer is about $45 per qt.
—Lana Melonakos-Harrison, digital editor
Photo: Aaron Leitz, courtesy of Color Atelier
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