Zellige and Bejmat tiles are trendy right now, thanks to their beautiful hand-finished look that hails to the traditional Moroccan craft, and makes interiors feel more grounded. Just like these traditional beauties, our Journeyman Zellige tiles have a unique finish and varied colours from tile to tile, but its how you lay them that makes a real difference. Watch our video on how to install Zellige tiles, or read the blog below:
A Perfectly Imperfect Installation
So what makes an installation perfectly imperfect? Well, it's in the name! By purposefully laying your Zellige tiles in a more uneven and irregular manner, you can create a beautiful artisanal look that replicates the way that traditional Zellige is laid. Here's what you need to do:
1. Throw away the spacer pegs:
Spacer pegs are a tilers best friend, as they help to get those even grout joints that compliment most tiles. However, to get that wonderful organic look, you must avoid spacers and place the tiles by hand with a butt joint.
Baked Tiles Zellige ranges are slightly uneven, with irregular square edges replicating the real thing. You can't get this look with a standard 10x10cm tile, so be aware of tiles being promoted as Zellige style, as many of these are just a glossy traditional small tile, and they just won't give you an authentic look.
When installing, the tiles will naturally lip a little, and you should embrace that as we want an undulated surface. This is the only style of tiling where we embrace a lovely uneven surface.
2. Use a Matching Grout:
A grout colour that closely matches the tiles will enhance their organic appeal, and make the final tiled surface look as if it has been laid for generations. If you need help with finding the perfect matching grout colour, our team can help, choosing a grout from our collection of over 50 colours.
3. Sealing and Maintenance:
Traditional Bejmat tiles need sealing due to their porous nature, but Baked Tiles Journeyman Zellige are made from non-porous porcelain, making them maintenance free. For Zellige-style tiles, a simple wipe-down with a pH-neutral cleaner keeps them looking pristine.
4. Mind the Light:
Because of their glossy, reflective surface, Zellige tiles can appear different depending on the lighting. We advise that you always test a few sample tiles in the space before committing to a full tiled surface.
Remember, the Interior Design Team are here to help you achieve the look you want, whatever your preferred style. Simply book a call or showroom visit with a designer and we can help you create an interior you will adore!
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