Made by hand.
Alive with light.
A practical guide to choosing, ordering, installing and caring for authentic Moroccan Zellige and Bejmat — materials valued for character, not consistency.
Shade, surface, edge and dimensional variation are intrinsic to this material.
What is Zellige?
Zellige is a traditional Moroccan glazed clay tile, shaped and finished by hand. Its uneven surface catches light differently from piece to piece, creating depth, reflection and movement.
Unlike machine-made ceramic, Zellige is not designed to appear perfectly uniform. Differences in tone, glaze density, edge, thickness, flatness and surface are part of the finished material. Fine crazing, small pits, iron marks, glaze pooling and chipped edges may be visible.
These characteristics should be understood before purchase and composed intentionally during installation. A single sample communicates the colour family and surface character; it cannot represent the complete tonal range of an order or guarantee an exact match to a future batch.
Reflective depth
Hand-applied glaze and a softly undulating surface scatter light across the installation.
Visible craft
Pits, fine crazing, edge chipping and tool marks reveal the handmade process.
A family of tones
One colour may move from pale to deep, clear to cloudy, or matt to glossy across the same order.
How it is made
The beauty of Zellige begins with natural clay and a process in which the hand remains visible at every stage.
Exact clay preparation, firing method and glaze composition vary by workshop and collection. Product-specific claims should always be confirmed on the relevant SERA technical sheet.
Zellige & Bejmat
Both share the same artisanal language. Their proportions, thickness and visual rhythm create different possibilities.
| Characteristic | Zellige | Bejmat |
|---|---|---|
| Typical form | Square, hexagonal, triangular and mosaic formats. | Elongated rectangular format traditionally laid in running bond, herringbone or basketweave. |
| Surface | Glazed or natural, with pronounced light reflection. | Glazed or natural; often visually weightier and more architectural. |
| Thickness | Generally slimmer than Bejmat. Refer to the product page. | Generally thicker and heavier. Confirm substrate depth, transitions and load. |
| Variation | Visible in tone, edge, surface and dimensions. | May show more edge chipping and corner variation because of its thicker elongated form. |
| Best suited to | Feature walls, kitchens, bathrooms and decorative fields. | Floors, herringbone layouts, architectural bands and more robust visual compositions, subject to project approval. |
Natural variation
An authentic installation is created by balancing differences, not eliminating them.
Light and dark tones, glaze movement and subtle shifts between production batches.
Gloss, eggshell areas, pooling, brush marks, pitting and occasional iron marks.
Edges do not align mechanically; thickness and planarity vary from tile to tile.
Small chips, hand-finished edges and fine lines within the glaze may be present.
Formats & finishes
Choose the format as part of the installation system, not only as a visual decision.
Glazed Zellige
Reflective and less absorbent at the face, but still a porous clay body. Commonly used on walls and selected floor or wet-area applications when the full system is suitable.
Sealing: usually not required on the glazed face. A pre-grout treatment may be advisable for highly contrasting grout or pronounced crazing; test first.
Natural / Unglazed
More absorbent, matt and earthy. It requires a suitable penetrating sealer and a maintenance plan. Colour generally deepens when wet or sealed.
Sealing: required before grouting and after grouting, following the sealer manufacturer’s instructions.
| SERA format | Nominal size | Design note |
|---|---|---|
| Square | 10 × 10 cm | The classic field format; approximately 100 pieces per m² before joint and site allowances. |
| Small Square | 5 × 5 cm | More grout lines and greater ability to follow curves or create detailed layouts. |
| Hexagon | Approx. 9 × 9 cm | Confirm exact geometry and coverage on the product page before setting out. |
| Trapezoid | Approx. 10 × 3–2 cm | Requires a full dry layout to manage direction, cuts and perimeter conditions. |
| Bejmat | Approx. 4.5 × 14 cm | Thicker format; confirm transition heights, load, pattern and joint strategy. |
All dimensions are nominal. Do not use nominal size alone to calculate set-out, trim depth, edge profiles or coverage. Use current product data and actual site samples.
Where can it be used?
Suitability depends on the tile finish and format, traffic, climate, substrate, waterproofing, slip requirements and installation system.
| Application | Glazed | Natural / Unglazed | Key condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interior walls & backsplashes | Suitable | Suitable | Use appropriate adhesive; seal natural material. |
| Dry residential floors | Conditional | Conditional | Light traffic, full adhesive coverage and acceptance of wear. |
| Light commercial floors | Project review | Project review | Confirm traffic, impact and slip requirements with SERA. |
| Shower walls | Conditional | Project review | Complete waterproofing system behind the tile. |
| Shower floors / wet rooms | Project review | Project review | Slip performance, drainage, format and sealing must be assessed. |
| Steam rooms | Project review | Not standard | Use only with an approved high-vapour waterproofing system. |
| Pools & fountains | Project review | Not standard | Submersion and chemical suitability must be confirmed per product. |
| Exterior walls | Conditional | Conditional | Sheltered, correctly detailed and appropriate for the local climate. |
| Exterior floors | Project review | Project review | Avoid freeze-thaw exposure unless explicitly certified. |
| Underfloor heating | Conditional | Conditional | Compatible flexible system, movement joints and controlled commissioning. |
| Fireplace surround | Conditional | Conditional | Decorative surround only; no direct flame or extreme heat. |
| Worktops / counters | Project review | Project review | Acid, stain, food-contact and impact performance must be considered. |
The matrix is a specification starting point, not project approval. Product-specific technical data, local regulations and the advice of the project architect and installer take precedence.
Before you order
Plan the installation as a complete batch. Add-on orders may differ in tone, surface and dimensions.
Delivery & inspection
Inspect before installation. Cutting or installation confirms acceptance of visible characteristics that could reasonably have been identified beforehand. This does not affect mandatory rights relating to hidden defects or non-conformity.
Photograph the pallet and packaging, count boxes and record any visible transport damage before signing where possible.
Review colour, format, finish and condition. Dust and shipping residue can be cleaned before assessment.
Moisture or condensation can temporarily darken clay. Do not install damp tiles; dry them fully in a protected, ventilated area.
Open and mix tiles from all boxes. Never install one box at a time or directly from the carton.
Stop and contact SERA before cutting or installing if the material, quantity or colour appears incorrect.
Keep boxes dry, stable and protected from frost, impact and contamination until installation.
Installation principles
Zellige rewards preparation. The final surface depends as much on the installer, substrate and set-out as on the tile itself.
It must be stable, clean, correctly cured, flat enough for the intended finish and free from contaminants.
In wet areas, the waterproofing system is behind the tile. Tile, grout and sealer do not make a substrate waterproof.
Respect structural, perimeter and movement joints. Do not bridge them with tile or grout.
Mix all boxes and compose shade, edge and surface variation across the whole field.
Approve layout, joint width, grout colour, sealer and final cleaning in the actual project lighting.
Traditional guides differ on soaking. Do not soak by default; follow the approved SERA and adhesive-manufacturer method for the selected product.
Use a compatible flexible adhesive and back-butter where required to achieve full, void-free contact, especially on floors and wet areas.
Use wedges rather than rigid cross spacers. Adjust depth to reduce lipping while preserving the handmade surface.
Use a suitable diamond blade and wet-cutting method. Wear gloves, eye protection and respiratory protection as required.
Observe the manufacturer’s cure time before grouting, loading, sealing or exposing the installation to water.
Work carefully and clean immediately. Grout can lodge in pits, chips and crazing.
Prevent impact, dust, paint and construction traffic; retain spare tiles for future repairs.
Grout & sealing
Grout
A close-set appearance is traditional, but a practical joint is still required to accommodate handmade edges and allow grout to fill irregular gaps. A nominal 1–2 mm joint is a common starting point; the final joint must be approved in a mock-up.
Use a grout compatible with the tile, adhesive and environment. A tone close to the tile usually creates the calmest surface.
Sealing
Glazed Zellige normally does not require sealing on the face. Natural or unglazed material is porous and requires a penetrating sealer before and after grouting.
For contrast grout, pronounced crazing or stain-sensitive conditions, test whether a pre-grout treatment is necessary.
Application-specific notes
Floors
Use only where traffic and impact are appropriate. Full adhesive support is critical. Expect surface wear, enlarged chips and evolving patina over time.
Showers & wet rooms
Specify the waterproofing, drainage, falls, movement joints and slip performance as one system. Smaller formats create more grout lines but do not replace formal slip assessment.
Pools & fountains
Do not assume every glaze is suitable for continuous immersion or pool chemicals. Obtain written product approval and use a compatible submerged-installation system.
Exterior
Low-fired clay is generally vulnerable to freeze-thaw cycling. Exterior use requires climate review, drainage, weather protection and product-specific approval.
Fireplaces & stoves
Use only as a decorative surround outside direct flame and extreme heat. Confirm clearances, substrate and local fire regulations.
Underfloor heating
Use a compatible flexible system, allow the installation to cure fully and commission heating gradually. Movement accommodation is essential.
Worktops & splashbacks
Zellige is not acid resistant. Wipe oils, citrus, wine and cooking residues promptly. Confirm food-contact, impact and heat requirements before specifying a counter.
Commercial spaces
Review traffic, cleaning regime, hard footwear, rolling loads, slip requirements and replacement strategy. Keep retained spares from the original batch.
Care & maintenance
Gentle, regular care protects the glaze, grout and any applied sealer.
Questions, answered
Are pits, chips and crazing defects?
No. Small pits, edge chipping, fine crazing and other irregularities are characteristic of handcrafted Zellige. A piece should be rejected only when its condition makes it unsuitable for the intended location or prevents a sound installation.
Will my order match the sample exactly?
No exact match can be guaranteed. The sample represents a colour family and material character. The delivered batch and future add-on orders may differ in tone, sheen, size and surface.
How much extra should I order?
SERA recommends 25% as a general reserve. Increase to 30–35% for complex layouts, contrasting grout, selective blending, multiple formats or projects seeking a more controlled appearance.
Does glazed Zellige need sealing?
Usually not on the glazed face. Natural Zellige and unglazed Bejmat require sealing. A pre-grout treatment may be useful with contrast grout or pronounced crazing, but it must be tested first.
Should Zellige be soaked before installation?
Industry guides differ. Some traditional methods pre-wet porous tiles, while modern adhesive systems may require a different approach. Follow the current SERA product instructions and the adhesive manufacturer; do not soak by default.
Can Zellige be installed without grout?
A close-set visual effect is traditional, but the irregular gaps still need grout. Use the joint strategy approved by the installer and in the mock-up; a nominal 1–2 mm is a common starting point.
Can Zellige be used outdoors?
Only after climate and product review. Low-fired clay should not be assumed freeze-thaw resistant. Exterior applications need suitable drainage, detailing, substrate and written product approval.
Why did the tiles arrive darker?
Moisture or condensation during storage and transport can darken the clay temporarily. Allow the tiles to dry fully in a protected, ventilated area before judging the colour or installing.
Project downloads
General guidance
This guide describes the general character and handling of handcrafted Zellige and Bejmat. It is not a project-specific specification or a substitute for professional advice. The architect, designer, contractor and installer are responsible for verifying the suitability of the tile, substrate, waterproofing, adhesive, grout, sealer, movement-joint design, slip resistance and local regulatory compliance. Inspect all material before installation. Cutting or installing the tile confirms acceptance of its visible characteristics.