encaustic cement tile Archives

handmade cement tile and moroccan zellige

At Zia Tile, our goal is to deliver perfect handmade encaustic cement tile and Moroccan zellige to every project. We work with designers, contractors, developers, and homeowners nationwide on projects of all sizes. We manufacture standard 8×8, hex,diamond, 4×4 squares and 2×8 subway handmade encaustic cement tile and can customize colors or designs to suit any style. We also carry a wide range of Moroccan zellige colors in 4×4, 2×6, 2×2, and 3.5 inch hexagon shapes. Our cement tiles and zellige are handmade and manufactured by artisans with generations of experience with authentic raw materials to produce tiles with lasting quality and beauty.

Variation in cement tile and zellige is the point! All of our styles will have subtle variations due to the handmade nature of cement and zellige tile. Each tile is made by hand and no two tiles are exactly the same. Zia Tile is based in Los Angeles and ships handmade encaustic cement tile and Moroccan zellige tile worldwide.

how it’s made

Cement tiles are made by hand, one at a time, using mineral pigments, cement, a mold, and a hydraulic press. The individual patterns are made by manually applying separate pigments, one by one, in a handmade brass mold. Concrete tiles are not fired; there is no glaze layer on the surface of the tile. They derive their durability from the combination of finely dehydrated cement and a coarse sand and cement layer. The pigment layer is hydraulically pressed into the surface and becomes a part of the tile.

Moroccan zellige (zellij) requires true craftsmanship. Historically used in geometric and floral shapes in the most beautiful palaces, zellige is now becoming more widely available.

Our craftsmen start with raw clay, which they soak in water and hand filter for impurities. At this point, the clay becomes a soft, malleable substance that can be placed into various molds. These pieces are then placed side by side and left to dry in the bright Moroccan sun. Zellige tiles are flattened and shaped by hand and left to dry further. Each tile is hand dipped in glaze and then methodically placed in an earthen kiln. Heat is distributed unevenly throughout the kiln which gives zelligeits incredible variation.

Every zellige tile is an expression of the artisan’s work that day—beautifully imperfect and unique. Lastly, the tiles are glazed and cut to perfection. Each tile is a piece of art in its own right.

ordering and shipping

We ship handmade cement tile and Moroccan zellige anywhere that USPS, FedEx, UPS, DHL, and any LTL carrier can reach! If you live in Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, or a country outside of the United States, please email or call us for a custom freight quote. Our in stock samples of cement tiles and zellige typically ship out within 2 business days of order receipt from our Los Angeles warehouse. Special order and custom design samples are possible with a longer lead time.

All normal cement tile and Moroccan Zellige orders will deliver using LTL carrier service and are curbside delivery. The LTL trucking company that is contracted to deliver your order will contact you to arrange a specific date and time for curbside delivery.

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nirvana

encaustic cement tile

Arrow

8" x 8" Square Cement Tile Collectionpatterned tile Collection

Aubergine

8" x 8" Square Cement Tile Collectionsolids CollectionSolid Collection

Hyannis

8" x 8" Square Cement Tile Collectionsolids CollectionSolid Collection

Nova

8" x 8" Square Cement Tile Collectionin stock Collectionpatterned tile CollectionIn-Stock Collection

handmade cement tile and moroccan zellige

how it’s made

ordering and shipping

Arrow

8" x 8" Square Cement Tile Collectionpatterned tile Collection

Aubergine

8" x 8" Square Cement Tile Collectionsolids CollectionSolid Collection

Hyannis

8" x 8" Square Cement Tile Collectionsolids CollectionSolid Collection

Nova

8" x 8" Square Cement Tile Collectionin stock Collectionpatterned tile CollectionIn-Stock Collection

handmade cement tile and moroccan zellige

how it’s made

ordering and shipping

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