Zellige Tile Installation Guidelines

.How to install ‘Zillij Tile’ ~ Moroccan ceramic mosaic tile

1. Before installing the tiles, batch mix them from a few different boxes since nuanced color variations are inherent in the manufacturing of the tiles

2. The surface should be well prepared and leveled before placing the Zillij Tile panels set on flexible mesh or the individual loose Zillij tiles.

3. Evenly apply flexible adhesive for ceramics on the surface and on the back of the tile. Alternatively fix the Zillij tile with silicone.

4. Position the tiles by hand, leaving no joint (edge to edge) without using tile spacers, looking for the harmony of the whole design. If you have a complex pattern, the geometrical edges will fit together like the edges of a puzzle. irregularities in how

5. Once the tile are placed, spread very liquid grout cement over the surface, with a rubber spatula, insisting on filling the spaces between the tiles. { Grout note: We prefer regular un-dyed grout, if you wish to use a dyed grout – please do a test sample board prior to installation} * see below for the traditional Moroccan grouting method

6. After a brief drying, carefully remove the excess cement with a damp sponge. Remove the remaining joint cement with a dry cloth carefully rubbing by hand.

7. Zillij tiles can be easily cut in an angle with a diamond disc and water.

Zillij on Floors

Zillij tiles can be laid on floors, in light traffic areas where the tiles would not be exposed to impacts.

Particular attention should be paid to the application of the adhesive on the floor and back of the tiles to ensure perfect bonding between Zillij tile pieces and concrete or marble slab.

Zillij in Showers and Swimming Pools

Surface in direct contact with water: Swimming pools, shower floors and walls, fountains, worktops. Ensure the surface laid on is waterproof, stable and rigid prior to the installation of the Zillij tiles. Use adhesive cement and grout fit for these wet spaces.

Zillij Maintenance

Glazed Zillij tiles do not require specific maintenance, they may be cleaned like any other types of glazed ceramic tiles.

*Traditional Moroccan grout recipe & method for Zillij Tile

Grout Line: there should be a very small grout line once the tile is installed.- about 1 or 2 mm maximum.

Here is the method they use in Morocco grouting for Zillij Tile in areas that will be in constant contact with water, such as a fountain interior. in a bathroom or or a sink, shower or swimming pool }

Moroccan Zillij Tile Grout Recipe

Mix white and grey cement with water into a soup that has the consistency of loose mashed potato.

Run it over the zilllij tile, a small section at a time and quickly & carefully wipe it clean.

This must be done FAST!

Must be done a small section at a time.

Be sure to do a practice test area on sample board before for grouting an entire tile area, let it dry and make sure you approve of the results.

All of these installation instructions are offered as guidelines only.

Imports from Marrkesh will not be held responsible for errors, issues or problems due to installation.

Guidelines for how to install ‘ZelligeTile’ ~ Moroccan ceramic mosaic tile

1. Before installing the tiles, batch mix them from a few different boxes since nuanced color variations are inherent in the hand mixed glaze batches. If you have ordered Zillij tile panels set on mesh, batch mixing will not be necessary.

For zellige panels set on mesh.:

carefully unpack the mosaic panels

lay the complete design for each wall elevation or floor area, out on the floor

As with Zellige tiles, zellige tile panels, variations in size and shape are common. Each panel needs to be positioned by adjusting grout space and adhesive depth. Planning the layout in advance is important and recommended. Make a template of the pattern out of paper, to use a guide for marking the wall for the placement of the tile design.Then trim the tile to fit, if need be ( see note #7)

Determining and marking your exact layout on the wall or floor in advance is important and helpful , so your professional installation team will know exactly where to place the panels. Moroccan mosaics set on mesh are always laid out from RIGHT TO LEFT

2. The wall or floor surface should be prepared and leveled before placing the Zillij Tile panels set on flexible mesh or the individual loose Zillij tiles.

3. Evenly apply flexible adhesive for ceramic tile on the surface and on the back of the tile. Alternatively fix the Zillij tile with a silicone product of your tile installers choice.

4. Position the tiles by hand, leaving no joint (edge to edge) without using tile spacers, looking for the harmony of the whole design. If you have a complex pattern that is set on mesh, the geometrical edges will fit together like the edges of a puzzle.

5. Once the adhesive is dry and the Zellige tiles are well fixed, spread flexible grout over the surface, with a rubber spatula, making sure that the spaces between the tiles are completely filled. Apply grout a small section at a time, wiping off the excess grout cement with a damp sponge or cloth. Manually rectify any possible defects on areas that have been left without grout. After a brief drying, carefully remove the excess cement with a damp sponge. Remove the remaining joint cement with a dry cloth carefully rubbing by hand.

{ Grout note: We prefer regular un-dyed grout, if you wish to use a dyed grout – please do a test sample board prior to installation} * see below for the traditional Moroccan grouting method

6. Zellige Tiles installation for surfaces in direct contact with water: Swimming pools, shower floors and walls, fountains, worktops. Ensure the sub-surface laid on is waterproof, stable and rigid prior to the installation of the Zillij tiles. Use adhesive cement and grout fit for these wet spaces. Like other glazed ceramics, covering a surface with Zellige tiles does not guarantee waterproofing. Humidity can filter through the grout or any surface irregularities.

7. Zillij tiles can be easily cut or beveled in an angle with a diamond disc and water. – Tile cutters can also be used but the results are less precise.

Zillij Maintenance