The six-sided geometry of hexagon tiles reads as a woven, interlocking surface that a square or rectangular grid cannot produce, especially across an open floor. On walls, the same geometry adds interest with shape alone, without requiring a decorative pattern.

Please consult a professional tile installer who is experienced in installing hexagon tiles. For this shape, tiles are often installed from a confirmed center point moving outward, with chalk lines marking the primary axes before any tile is set. Before installation, tiles from all boxes should be opened and mixed, laid out dry before setting to distribute variation in color, tone, and thickness evenly across the field. For handmade hexagon formats with less uniformity, like zellige, thinset is applied to both the substrate and the back of each tile, per Zia's zellige Installation Guide. Protective face and eye coverings are recommended when working with thinset, sealants, and grout; review the Proposition 65 warnings before starting. Bring drywall flush with the finished tile surface, and finish exposed edges with mitered edges or Schluter strips. Always seal hexagon tile according to our installation instructions, whether in dry spaces or in areas exposed to moisture, such as pools, spas, and showers. For general questions or installation-specific guidance, contact our team at info@ziatile.com or 310‑844‑1170

Scale and visual intent are the deciding factors when choosing small or large hexagon tiles, as well as the availability of the shape depending on material. Small hexagon tiles suit compact surfaces like shower floors, niches, and kitchen backsplashes, such as our zellige hex. In these settings, the geometry reads as detailed work, and the grout pattern contributes to the overall composition. Larger hexagon tiles, like Cotto (terra cotta tile), suit open floors and expansive walls where the shape itself anchors the design.

Hexagon tile suits a wide range of residential and commercial applications: shower floors, shower walls, kitchen backsplashes, bathroom floors and walls, fireplace surrounds, and feature walls. For exterior floors, Cotto hexagon tile is suitable for any climate, including freeze/thaw regions. Zellige hexagon tiles are suitable for exterior use in non-freeze/thaw climates, but not suitable for freeze/thaw exteriors. Please contact our team at info@ziatile.com or 310‑844‑1170 with any questions about a specific application.

Yes. Our zellige and Cotto hexagon formats are all approved for shower walls and shower floors, and each material requires sealing in wet applications. On hexagon shower floors, slip resistance can be increased by keeping grout joints open to a minimum of 1/8" and applying an anti-slip treatment after installation.

Zia offers hexagon tiles in handcrafted Moroccan zellige and clay-based Cotto, in solid colorways. Handmade by Moroccan artisans, our zellige hexagon tile carries significant variation in color, tone, and surface across each piece, including chips, pits, and crazing, and is offered in dozens of vibrant glazed colors. Cotto is hand-pressed natural Mexican clay, left unglazed for a matte, earthy terra cotta finish in six distinct variations, including whitewash, matte black, and cocoa brown. For questions about colorways, applications, or installation, please contact our team at info@ziatile.com or 310‑844‑1170.

The choice of grout color depends on whether the grout lines should recede or take precedence in the design. Because hexagon grout joints radiate in three directions, a contrasting grout makes the geometry explicit and adds graphic weight to the installation. A closely matched grout minimizes the grout lines and lets the tile surface and color carry the room.

Yes, zellige and terra cotta hexagon tiles are all approved for interior wall applications, including kitchen backsplashes. A glazed tile like zellige cleans more easily than a more porous material, making it well-suited to a backsplash exposed to heat, grease, and moisture, and quick to clean with a pH-neutral product. Sealing both glazed and unglazed materials like Cotto before grouting, per Zia's Cotto Installation Guide, gives the surface an easy-to-clean finish suited to a kitchen's spills and grease.

Penny tiles are traditionally small mosaic tiles, though a hexagon-shaped tile can exist at any scale. A hexagon tile has six equal sides and is typically produced in formats ranging from 2 inches to several inches across. Penny tiles are typically circular or slightly oval and are typically 1 inch in diameter and arrive on mesh-backed sheets for installation. Both formats suit shower floors, bathroom floors, and detail work, but produce a different visual result.

Please have your contractor, designer, or installer confirm the square footage needed for your tile order. A professional can determine the number of hexagon tiles needed for an installation by measuring each surface individually. Multiply length by width in feet to get the square footage, then add all surfaces for the total. Add a minimum of 15% overage to account for curation and cuts. For hand-shaped materials like zellige and Cotto, plan for up to 25% overage if a more uniform result is desired. Our team can advise on quantity for a specific project at info@ziatile.com or 310‑844‑1170.