Moroccan Zellige is hand-glazed terracotta: it is beautiful, but it is not a flat machine tile. Every piece varies slightly in thickness and shape, which means the installation requires a slightly different approach. This guide covers everything you need to know before you begin.
What You Will Need
- Flexible tile adhesive (white for light-colored grout joints)
- Notched trowel (6 mm notch for 5x5 cm, 8–10 mm for 10x10 cm)
- White or color-matched grout (epoxy or cement-based)
- Sponge and clean water
- A good quality tile level and spacers if desired (1–3 mm joints)
- Mixing paddle and drill
1. Prepare the Surface
The wall must be flat, dry, clean and dust-free. If you are installing over plasterboard, seal the joints first. For wet areas (showers, bathrooms), use a waterproof membrane behind the tiles.
2. Dry Layout First
Always dry-lay a section before sticking anything. Because 5x5 cm and 10x10 cm tiles are hand-cut, sizes vary by 1–2 mm. Lay them out and pick the best orientation for each tile — this is part of the Zellige craft and part of its charm.
3. Adhesive Application
Butter the back of each tile with adhesive and press firmly into position, with a slight twisting motion. Work from the bottom row up. Keep a tile or two for edges where you will need to cut — hexagonal tiles in particular require careful cutting around outlets and pipes.
4. Joints and Spacing
Zellige is traditionally laid with minimal joints (1–3 mm). The slight irregularity of the edges means the grout line is not perfectly uniform — this is normal and expected. White grout reads cleanest on light tiles; color-matched grout is best on darker glazes.
5. Grouting
Wait 24–48 hours after sticking before grouting. Push the grout firmly into the joints, then wipe the surface with a damp sponge before the grout sets. Rinse the sponge frequently to avoid hazing the glaze.
6. Cleaning and Sealing
Once grout is dry, buff the tiles with a soft cloth to remove any residue. Sealing is not usually necessary with glazed Zellige, but on natural (unglazed) tiles, a breathable sealer can be applied to reduce porosity. See how to clean Zellige tiles.
Professional Tips
- Order ≈10% extra material to cover cutting, breakage and future repairs — this is essential with handmade tiles.
- If mixing color shades, shuffle tiles from several boxes to avoid color banding.
- Zellige can be installed on floors but only in pedestrian areas — always confirm with the tiler first.
- For a large project, ask your tiler to install under our buying guide quantities and leave reserve material on site.