Zellige

True to its roots, our zellige collection is handmade in Morocco and created through techniques used by generations of skilled artisans. Historically installed in mosaics featuring decorative geometric and floral shapes within elaborately designed architectural spaces, this material remains central to global design. This curated selection includes a wide range of colors, shapes, and formats used across interior surfaces and outdoors in non-freeze/thaw climates.

Zia's encaustic cement tiles are handmade using techniques established by French and Catalan craftspeople in the 1850s. Each tile is composed of powdered cement and water, with high-quality natural mineral pigments adding the colored finish. The mixture is hydraulically pressed together under 3000psi of pressure, mechanically merging the materials together so the pigmented surface layer becomes part of the tile itself. Unlike ceramic tile, cement tile is never fired; the material naturally hardens as the tile cures.

A staple in Moroccan architecture and now embraced worldwide, zellige is coveted for its rich surface texture and inviting sheen. The collection ranges from decorative geometric mosaics to solid colors in various shapes, with both unglazed and glazed finishes to suit any design style. Suitable for kitchen backsplashes, bathrooms, pools, spas, fireplace surrounds, shower walls and floors, Zia's zellige collection holds over 200 tiles to explore across colors, shapes, and mesh-backed mosaics.

Zellige tiles require skilled installers and attention to detail for the best installation results. Proper sealing and grout selection are essential, especially in moisture-exposed environments.

For unglazed natural zellige:

• Use 511 Porous Plus Penetrating Sealer before grouting
• Grout with Mapei Flexcolor CQ
• After the grout cures, apply Fila Matte Finish Protective Wax in thin layers until the tiles are fully coated, then wipe any excess sealer before it can dry
• Avoid over-sealing, as excessive application can dry unevenly and leave an undesirable film on the surface

For glazed zellige:

• Use Mapei Ultracolor Plus FA grout
• Apply 511 Porous Plus Sealer after grouting when installing zellige tile in showers, pools, or other wet areas

Cleaning zellige tile starts with regular sweeping or vacuuming to prevent surface abrasion and prompt attention to spills. Zellige floors and walls can be wiped or mopped with warm water and a pH-neutral cleaner such as Miracle Sealants pH Neutral Tile and Stone Cleaner.

For deeper cleaning and potential stains, use a non-acidic cleaner such as Miracle Sealants Heavy Duty Cleaner (Acid Substitute). Avoid bleach, vinegar, or acid-based products, as they can dull the glazed surface and affect long-term appearance. With proper cleaning, zellige tile maintains its surface quality without intensive maintenance.

To install zellige tiles, we always recommend working with a professional installer who has experience working with zellige tiles. Proper installation ensures edge and surface variation are distributed correctly.

Here is an overview of the installation process:

Standard Zellige Installation:

• Begin by blending tiles from every box to evenly distribute natural variation
• Soak all glazed zellige tiles in room-temperature water for 1–2 minutes
• Use a high-quality medium-bed thinset
• Press tiles into place by hand; do not use a mallet
• Let the thinset fully cure before proceeding with grout
• Grout in small sections using Mapei Ultracolor Plus FA and wipe the surface clean as you go
• Finish with a topcoat sealer such as 511 Porous Plus when installing in wet areas or for an extra layer of protection

Unglazed Natural Zellige:

• Begin by blending tiles from every box to evenly distribute natural variation
• Use a high-quality medium-bed thinset and wet the back of each tile before setting
• Press tiles into place by hand; do not use a mallet
• Let the thinset cure, then seal tiles before grouting using 511 Porous Plus Sealer
• Grout in small sections using Mapei Flexcolor CQ and wipe clean as you go
• Finish with a protective topcoat sealer or wax, depending on the application

Zellige Mosaics:

• Begin by blending tile sheets from every box to evenly distribute natural variation
• Soak all glazed zellige tiles in room-temperature water for 1–2 minutes; do not soak sheets that include Unglazed Natural tiles
• Use a high-quality medium-bed thinset
• Press tiles into place by hand; do not use a mallet
• Let the thinset fully cure
• If mosaics include Unglazed Natural zellige, seal the tiles ahead of grouting with 511 Porous Plus Sealer
• Grout in small sections using Mapei Ultracolor Plus FA for glazed tiles and Mapei Flexcolor CQ for any mosaics where Unglazed Natural is present
• For mosaics that include Unglazed Natural zellige, finish with a protective topcoat sealer like the Fila Matte Wax 
• For glazed mosaic tiles, apply the 511 Porous Plus Sealer when installing in wet areas, or for an extra layer of protection

For detailed step-by-step instructions, please review our Zellige Installation Guide.

A zellige tile backsplash is a kitchen backsplash made from handmade Moroccan clay tiles. Because each tile is traditionally formed, glazed, and fired in small batches, these backsplashes make for stunning design statements that bring texture and depth to the eye level in a kitchen. Each tile is cut by hand, resulting in uneven edges, slight shifts in thickness, and surface variation that reflects light differently throughout the day. This creates a kitchen backsplash with visible movement rather than a flat, uniform finish, the signature zellige aesthetic seen across residential and commercial interiors.

Yes, zellige can be used on floors in select applications across interior and exterior spaces, in non-freeze/thaw climates. Zellige is commonly specified for bathrooms and feature floors where variation and texture are celebrated in the design. For floor installations, a minimum ⅛" grout joint is recommended for slip resistance. The handmade surface and inherent variation are part of a finished floor’s character. The tiles should be embraced for their variation and hand-placed for a balanced aesthetic.

Zia's zellige collection includes over 200 tiles across a wide range of colors and formats. Colors span deep greens, blues, earthy neutrals, white zellige tiles, and more, each producing a distinct result depending on the glaze and the light conditions of the space where they are installed. Formats include the 4x4 square, 2x2, 2x6 Bejmat, trapezoid, hexagon, and mesh-backed mosaics. Each shape is available across multiple colorways. For the full range of available colors and sizes, browse the collection or contact our team at info@ziatile.com with any questions.

To calculate how much zellige tile you need, measure the length and width of a level surface, multiplying them to get the total area in square footage. For a floor, measure the room’s borders. For a wall, measure any separate sections individually, then add them together. Once you have the total square footage, add overage to account for cuts or variations outside of your desired range. We recommend a 15 to 20% overage for all zellige orders. For a more uniform look, consider increasing your overage to 25%. If you are unsure about quantities for your specific project, contact our team at info@ziatile.com before placing your order.

Yes, zellige tiles can be mixed across colorways. Because each tile is handmade using the same traditional process, zellige from different colorways share the same format dimensions, thickness range, and surface characteristics, which makes for seamless mixed installations. Please note that the tiles’ thickness varies across sizes, so please be mindful of this dimension if mixing various shapes.