Zellige Mosaics Installation Guide

— Read this guide, IN FULL, WITH YOUR INSTALLER, prior to beginning installation —

To ensure proper installation based on your unique site conditions, clients are responsible for hiring a skilled installer who has experience installing Moroccan zellige tiles. Zia Tile is not responsible for installation, ongoing care, or issues arising after receipt and installation of product. If the client's installer deviates from the instructions or recommendations below, this may result in costly and undesirable outcomes.

The authentic methods of creating traditional zellige will result in your order including approximately 15–20% of tiles with imperfections, ranging from hairline cracks or crazing and edge chips to pits and chips through the glaze that will expose the clay body of the tiles. When used and blended into your install by an experienced zellige installer, these perfectly imperfect tiles will give your installation the look of a traditional zellige surface. If you are seeking a more uniform look, you should consider increasing your order size by 20–25% to allow your installer to avoid using some of these tiles.

Because these tiles are handmade using methods from the ancient Moroccan tradition of zellige, you should expect not only that you will see variation within your order, but that your sample may not be an exact match to your order. Tiles added to your order after your initial purchase may be produced at a different time, resulting in additional potential for variation in color, shape and size.

If you do not plan to work with these inherent zellige characteristics AND follow the installation instructions below, you should choose a more uniform tile type for your installation.

These instructions apply to glazed zellige tile installations. If you are installing mosaics that include Unglazed Natural zellige, look for the ⚠ UNGLAZED NATURAL ZELLIGE label for additional required installation steps.

Reviewing Your Order

• Please inspect your order thoroughly upon receipt. Zia Tile cannot be held responsible for tiles that have already been installed.
• Each piece of zellige is made by hand, and extreme variations in color, shape and thickness are to be expected. Irregular edges, crazing, pits and small hairline cracks are common, to be expected, and part of the traditional aesthetic of zellige installations.
• Traditional zellige tile will have approximately 15–20% of these perfect imperfections. If a more uniform look is desired, we suggest increasing the order size by 20–25% to reduce the amount of variation during installation; however, if zellige tiles with these chips and pits are discarded, your install will lose the feel of an authentic zellige installation. It is also important to note that the matching grout color will fill these pits and chips to blend the overall aesthetic.
• You may see ink marks on the surface of your tile from the handmade cutting process. These markings are standard and can be easily removed with a damp cloth or curated out using your overage.
• To account for cuts, inherent variation, and potential breakage in transit, it is strongly recommended that all orders include a minimum of 15% overage to avoid costly add-on shipping and schedule delays.

Before Beginning Your Installation

• Residue and dust from shipping are typical. Tiles should be cleaned prior to beginning your installation. See details below on soaking all glazed zellige tiles in room-temperature water for 1–2 minutes to remove any dust and residue from transportation.
  • ⚠ UNGLAZED NATURAL ZELLIGE: Do not soak mosaic sheets that include Unglazed Natural tiles.
• Due to the inherent color variation of zellige, it is very important to blend the tiles from all boxes in your order. You should then lay out all tiles in the installation area to ensure any variation is evenly distributed before beginning your installation. You should be an active participant in your zellige layout to select color tones and optimal variation prior to installation.
• All mosaic tiles are shipped on mesh backing, and tiles from multiple sheets should be separated and mixed as needed prior to laying the tile so that variation is more evenly distributed across the installation. You can easily remove individual tiles from the mesh backing if needed during the curation process.
• To achieve a traditional zellige aesthetic, try to work with chips and pits and remember that grout will fill these perfect imperfections, giving you a more authentic installation. Lighting can drastically affect the overall look of zellige tiles. The more direct natural light you have, the brighter the tiles will look; the darker or more shadowed your installation is, the darker your tiles will look.
• Grout color is an important design decision — almost as important as the tile color itself. For a modern finish aesthetic, grout color should be matched as closely as possible to the color of the tile. For a traditional zellige look, explore neutral color grouts from Mapei. Visit our website or Instagram to view hundreds of zellige installation examples to decide which grout color you prefer.
• It is essential that you communicate with your installer about the overall desired look of your installation. Prior to beginning, ensure you and your installer have a clear understanding of your desired end result. Keep in mind that curation, layout and tile-setting methods may vary slightly if you plan to achieve a more organic look that celebrates the inherent variation in zellige versus a more level, even installation that edits out this traditional aesthetic.

Installation

Required Materials

For placing the tiles:

• Sponge
• Bucket
• Tile leveling spacers
• High-quality medium-bed thin set mortar
• Trowel
• Mapei Ultracolor Plus FA grout for glazed zellige; Mapei Flexcolor CQ grout for mosaics that include Unglazed Natural zellige
• Grout float
• Water-cooled tile saw with diamond-edge blade

For cleaning and sealing zellige tiles:

• pH-neutral cleaner such as Miracle Sealants Heavy Duty Cleaner (Acid Substitute)
• Paint roller, paint tray, sponge and water bucket
• Lint-free cotton cloth
• For areas exposed to constant moisture, use 511 Porous Plus Penetrating Sealer after grouting is complete.
• ⚠ UNGLAZED NATURAL ZELLIGE: Apply 511 Porous Plus Penetrating Sealer prior to grouting. Once grouting is complete, apply FILA Matte Wax sealer; reapply periodically.

Laying Tiles

• If cuts are required for your installation, all saw cuts must be made with a water-cooled tile saw.
• The tiling surface should be well prepared and leveled by a licensed professional before placing the zellige tiles.
• Soak all glazed zellige tiles in room-temperature water for 1–2 minutes to remove any dust and residue from transportation and to ensure tiles properly adhere to the tiling surface.

⚠ UNGLAZED NATURAL ZELLIGE: DO NOT soak mosaic sheets with Unglazed Natural zellige tiles, as soaking unglazed tiles can lead to efflorescence that is difficult to remove. For any mosaic with both glazed and unglazed tiles, do not soak the tiles. Instead, use a damp cloth to remove any dust or residue from both the front and the back of the tiles.

• Evenly apply the thin set mixture to the install surface using a trowel. Butter the back of each tile with another layer of thin set, making sure to apply the mixture in the same direction to prevent air pockets from forming.
  • For a more level installation, use more or less thin set on the back of the tiles to account for depth variation. Tiles should be leveled as they are placed.
• Pay particular attention to the application of adhesive on the floor and the back of the tiles to ensure a perfect bond between the tiles and the concrete slab or flooring substrate.
• A diamond disc can be used for exact cuts and mitered edges. Wedge spacers may be needed in areas to align naturally uneven edges. Grout open, uneven edges or gaps where they appear.

For Wall Installations

• Place sheets one by one onto the wall substrate.
• Zellige tile can be spaced in several ways based on design preference. The traditional (and recommended) installation method does not use standard grout joints; tiles are instead laid edge to edge, which is how the tiles are arranged on the mesh backing. The tiles can be installed on the mesh sheets or removed from the mesh and placed individually for a larger or more even grout line. Due to the inherent variation in zellige tile, it is recommended to level with wedge spacers to align tiles during installation.

For Floor Installations

• Due to hand placement on mesh sheets, mesh-mounted zellige mosaic sheets will have less grout spacing than the standard 1/8" grout line recommended for floor installations. The tiles can be installed on the mesh sheets or removed from the mesh and placed individually for a larger or more even grout line. For all floor mosaic installations, it is important to allot additional time to properly level your installation and to grout all the way up to the surface of the tile. If your tiles are not properly leveled during installation, you may experience an uneven floor.

For Commercial and/or Wet Areas

• If installing on a flooring surface in a wet or commercial area, slip resistance can be increased by increasing grout joint size and/or applying an anti-slip product after installation is complete. Always consult your licensed installer on slip-specific questions prior to installation, and note that glazed zellige has a DCOF rating of 0.16. See the product spec sheet for additional information.
• Lay zellige in accordance with the drying time required for the thin set you used. Press the tiles into place using the palm of your hand to ensure thorough contact with the thin set. Level the tiles as necessary to achieve the desired look for your installation — for a more even look, level the tiles as you go.
  
  

⚠ UNGLAZED NATURAL ZELLIGE: Place in small sections, no larger than 2' x 2', at a time. Immediately wipe off any residual thin set from the surface of the tiles. Thin set can be incredibly difficult to remove without damaging the tiles if left too long.

• After the tiles have been laid, allow the thin set at least 48 hours to cure before sealing and grouting.

⚠ Pre-Grout Sealing: For Mosaics That Include Unglazed Natural Zellige ONLY

• For mosaics that include Unglazed Natural zellige, we recommend using 511 Porous Plus Penetrating Sealer prior to grouting with Mapei Flexcolor CQ grout. You can seal the entire layout; it is not necessary to avoid sealing the glazed tiles.
• After laying the tile and prior to grouting, apply penetrating sealer in thin layers until the tiles become fully saturated, wiping off any excess sealer before it dries. Do not over-seal, as thick or excessive application of sealant can dry unevenly and result in an undesirable waxy film on the surface of the tiles. Allow sealer to cure, typically 48 hours; always follow the sealant manufacturer's application instructions.
• Do not proceed to grouting unless your sealer is fully cured!

Grouting

• We do not recommend dry stacking zellige in any wet or dry application, as grout is required to protect the edges of the tile over time.
• Using Mapei Ultracolor Plus FA grout, fill in all spaces, gaps and any surface pits, chips and cracks using a rubber spatula.
• Carefully remove the excess grout with a damp sponge. Do not leave any grout to dry on the surface of zellige tile, as it is very difficult to remove after the grout has fully cured.

Top-Coat Sealing

• Completely clean and dry the tiles, removing any residual mortar or debris. Never leave spills, drips, footprints, or any other marks on the tiles prior to sealing.
• ⚠ UNGLAZED NATURAL ZELLIGE ONLY: Apply Fila Matte Finish Protective Wax to the full installation in thin layers until the tiles are fully coated, wiping off any excess sealer before it dries. Do not over-seal, as thick or excessive application of sealant can dry unevenly and result in an undesirable waxy film on the surface of the tiles. Allow sealer to cure, typically 1–2 days, before using the space. Always follow the sealant manufacturer's application instructions. DO NOT use Fila Matte Wax in outdoor applications, as UV rays can cause discoloration over time. For outdoor applications, re-seal after grouting with 511 Porous Plus Penetrating Sealer.

Zellige in Wet Areas

• Glazed zellige tiles are commonly used in swimming pools, shower walls, fountains, spas and bathrooms. Ensure that the surface of each area is stable and waterproof prior to starting the installation. Use adhesive cement and grout appropriate for use in wet areas. Installers should fully seal glazed tiles and grout lines that are exposed to continuous moisture with 511 Porous Plus Penetrating Sealer after grouting is complete.
• ⚠ UNGLAZED NATURAL ZELLIGE: Mosaics that include Unglazed Natural zellige can be used in a shower if properly sealed with Fila Matte Finish Protective Wax as a top-coat sealer.
• ⚠ UNGLAZED NATURAL ZELLIGE: Mosaics that include Unglazed Natural zellige cannot be used in swimming pools, fountains, or any other installation where the tile will be fully submerged for long periods of time.

Optional Grout Sealing

If you wish to seal your grout, do so in accordance with the grout and sealant manufacturers' instructions.

Trim

• We recommend installing zellige from floor to ceiling or bringing drywall flush with the finished surface of your tile to eliminate the need for trim.
• If your design has an exposed edge, we recommend mitering your tile. Your experienced installer should be familiar with cutting the edges at a 45-degree angle to create a corner out of two tiles. This mimics a finished trim piece and can easily be done on site to get the finished look without ordering custom trim.
• If you do require trim, we recommend Schluter strips, available at www.schluter.com.

Ongoing Maintenance

Over time, zellige tiles can wear like a natural stone product, which is part of the appeal of this old-world tile. Clients should expect natural wear, fine lines on the tile surface (also known as crazing), and patina to develop on the finish over time.

Cleaning

• Vacuum or sweep tile regularly to remove abrasive material that can scratch the surface.
• Glazed zellige may be cleaned like most types of glazed ceramic tile. Neutral pH products are recommended for cleaning. For regular cleaning, we recommend Miracle Sealants pH Neutral Tile and Stone Cleaner.
• Promptly clean up any spills, especially oil and grease on unglazed zellige. Uncleaned spills can cause stains.
• ⚠ UNGLAZED NATURAL ZELLIGE: If you purchased a mosaic that includes Unglazed Natural zellige, reference the grouting and sealing notes above. Stains on unsealed unglazed zellige may be permanent, so it is important to follow the sealing process AND expect patina, natural aging and wear of Unglazed Natural zellige over time.

Re-Sealing

Unglazed Natural zellige and zellige in wet areas should be re-sealed at least every 1–2 years, or as often as needed depending on traffic and wear. Areas exposed to moisture may need to be re-sealed more often. Always re-seal in accordance with the sealant manufacturer's instructions.

Installation Safety

Installers should always wear a protective face covering (e.g., dust mask) and eye protection when unpacking, cutting and installing Zia Tile products, as well as when working with the mortar, sealants, grout and other materials associated with the tile installation process, in accordance with California Prop 65.

WARNING: Cancer and Reproductive Harm — www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.

If extensive cutting is required during installation, Zia Tile recommends this work be done outside or in a well-ventilated area. Always wash your hands well with soap and water after working with tiles and before eating.

Variation Scale