SUNNYLANDS 12x12 Square Terrazzo

Perhaps the most versatile tile Zia produces, with endless colorways, patterns, and shapes, Zia strives to offer the world’s best curated collection of encaustic cement tiles. While generally consistent in appearance, each handmade tile is inherently unique. Durable and versatile, matte cement tile is an easy choice for many installations.

Proper installation and protection of cement tile is key, so please ensure you work with an installer who has experience specifically installing cement tile, and who has carefully reviewed Zia’s installation guide.

Cement tiles are made by hand, one at a time, using mineral pigments, cement, a mold, and a hydraulic press. The individual tile patterns are made by manually applying separate pigments, one by one, in a handmade brass mold. Cement 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.

We ship our tiles 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 Cotto tiles typically ship out within 2 business days of order receipt from our Los Angeles warehouse.

All standard shipping 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 timeframe for curbside delivery.

We are excited to offer free Pick up/Will Call from our Los Angeles Warehouse to help our local customers save on shipping costs! Because our stock tiles are ready to ship from multiple warehouses around the country, we are not able to guarantee that all stock tiles will be ready for pick up in Los Angeles at the time of order placement. Your tile may take an additional 1-3 weeks to be transferred free of charge from one of our auxiliary warehouses to our Los Angeles warehouse prior to your will call appointment. If you have any questions regarding your tile pick up availability, please reach out to our team at (310) 844-1170 or at info@ziatile.com. We are happy to discuss shipping rates or alternate options to ensure you meet your project deadline.

We offer all customers the option to order samples through our website by clicking on the Request a Sample button each tile page. All sample orders are limited to up to 4 per tile design. We make every effort to ship all samples within the same shipment, but some samples may ship separately if specific samples are out of stock at the time the order is placed.

Some samples of special order tiles may be available and are limited to 1 sample per customer due to the limited amount of special order tile samples we have on-hand. Frequently, special order sample tiles will have a lead time that matches the order lead time listed on each individual tile page. All of our solid color cement sample requests are fulfilled in 4×4 solid sample color tiles.

The first 5 samples in our online cart are complimentary and additional samples are $3 each. The credit for the first 5 samples is is reflected on the final check out page. Shipping is $8 for every 3 tiles shipped. Our samples ship via FedEx, UPS, or USPS ground within 2-3 business days of order receipt. For questions regarding samples, please email info@ziatile.com.

----- Read this guide, IN FULL, prior to beginning any installation of cement tile -----

View as PDF

To ensure proper installation based on unique project and/or site conditions, clients are responsible for hiring a skilled installer that has experience in installing and sealing cement tiles. Zia Tile is not responsible for installation, ongoing care, or issues arising after receipt and installation of product. If client’s installer deviates from the instructions or recommendations below, this may result in costly and undesirable outcomes.

REVIEWING YOUR ORDER

• Please inspect your order thoroughly, upon receipt. Zia Tile cannot be held responsible for tiles that have already been installed.

• Each piece of cement tile is made by hand, and subtle variations in color, shape and thickness are to be expected. Irregular edges and minor crazing are normal and to be expected.

• To account for cuts, pattern, inherent variation, and potential breakage in transit, it is strongly recommended that all orders include a minimum of 15% overage to avoid costly add-on shipping and schedule delays.

BEFORE BEGINNING YOUR INSTALLATION

• Due to the inherent color variation of cement tile, it is very important to blend the tiles from all boxes in your order. You should then lay out all tiles in the installation area to ensure any variation is evenly distributed before beginning your installation.

• Grout color is an important design decision - almost as important as the tile color itself. For a traditional look, explore lighter neutral color Mapei Flexcolor CQ grouts. For a more modern aesthetic, grout color can be matched as closely as possible to the color of the tile. Visit our website or Instagram to view hundreds of installation examples to decide what grout color is preferred.

INSTALLATION

REQUIRED MATERIAL

For placing the tiles:

• Sponge

• Bucket

• 1/16” tile spacers

• High quality medium-bed thin set mortar

• Trowel with 1⁄2” semi-circular notches

• Mapei Flexcolor CQ, neutral colored grout – avoid spreading dark or contrasting grout over the surface of cement tiles

• Grout float

• Grout bag – if using a contrasting grout color

• Water-cooled tile saw with diamond edge blade

For cleaning and sealing cement tiles:

• pH neutral cleaner such as Miracle Sealants Heavy Duty Cleaner (Acid Substitute)

• Paint roller, paint tray, sponge and water bucket - Lint-free cotton cloth

• For interior applications - 511 Porous Plus Sealer and Fila Matte Finish Protective Wax

• For exterior applications - 511 Porous Plus Sealer

LAYING TILES

• If cuts are required for your installation, all saw cuts must be made with a water-cooled tile saw.

FOR FLOOR INSTALLATIONS

• If the subfloor is even and in good condition, a high quality medium-bed thin set is sufficient to set the tiles. Please make sure the subfloor has completely cured (usually a minimum of 30 days) to prevent efflorescence spots from depositing on the surface of the tiles as moisture evaporates through them. Uncured or unsettled sub-surfaces can cause cracks to form in the tile as the sub-surface deforms, so always ensure the sub- surface has cured properly before installing cement tile. Use of an uncoupling membrane (such as DITRA) may also be advised.

FOR WALL INSTALLATIONS

• Only install cement tile on stable, even surfaces such as cement backer board. In dry areas (i.e. kitchen backsplash), cement tile may be installed directly to drywall. Never apply tile directly to a painted surface.

• Evenly apply the thin set mixture to the install surface using a trowel. Wet the back of each tile with a sponge before applying thin set to the back of each tile, making sure to apply the mixture in the same direction in order to prevent air pockets from forming.

• For a more level installation, use more or less thinset on the back of the tiles to account for depth variation. Tiles should be leveled as they are placed.

• Using only the palm of your hand, press the tiles into place. Do not use a rubber hammer or mallet as that can create small cracks that will grow over time. Ensure the tiles are perfectly flat during installation.

• Place in small sections, no larger than 2’x2’, at a time using 1/16” tile spacers to separate the tiles.

• Immediately wipe off any residual thin set from the surface of the tiles. Thin set can be incredibly difficult to remove without damaging the tiles if left too long.

• After the tiles have been laid, allow the thin set at least 48 hours to cure before sealing and grouting.

PRE-GROUT SEALING

• Cement tiles must be sealed on-site. Use a pH neutral cleaner before sealing; products made to clean natural stone are usually suitable. Use of acidic cleaners will damage the tiles and should be avoided.

• After your thin set has cured, your tiles have been cleaned and dried and prior to grouting, apply 511 Porous Plus sealer in thin layers until the tiles become fully saturated, wiping off any excess sealer before it dries. Do not over-seal as thick or excessive application of sealant can dry unevenly and result in an undesirable waxy film on the surface of the tiles. Allow sealer to cure, typically 24-48 hours; always follow the sealant manufacturer’s application instructions.

• Do not proceed to grouting unless your sealer is fully cured!

GROUTING

• Using MAPEI FLEXCOLOR CQ GROUT, fill in the gaps between the tiles with a rubber grout float. Grout in small areas, no larger than 2’x2’, at a time. DO NOT grout the entire floor at once, as the tiles can stain from excess grout that is extremely difficult to remove later. Instead, grout small areas and immediately wipe away the excess grout as you go. Contrasting grout can stain or leave a grout haze and should be avoided unless hand grouting or using a grout bag.

• Allow the grout to fully cure, usually 48 hours.

TOP COAT SEALER

• Completely clean and dry the tiles with pH neutral detergent, removing any residual mortar or debris. Never leave spills, drips, footprints, or any other marks on the tiles prior to sealing.

FOR INTERIOR INSTALLATIONS

• Apply Fila Matte Finish Protective Wax in thin layers until the tiles are fully coated, wiping off any excess sealer before it dries. Do not over-seal as thick or excessive application of sealant can dry unevenly and result in an undesirable waxy film on the surface of the tiles. Allow sealer to cure, typically 1-2 days before using the space. Always follow the sealant manufacturer’s application instructions.

FOR OUTDOOR INSTALLATIONS

• Apply 511 Porous Plus sealer in thin layers until the tiles are fully coated, wiping off any excess sealer before it dries. Do not over-seal as thick or excessive application of sealant can dry unevenly and result in an undesirable waxy film on the surface of the tiles. Allow sealer to cure, typically 24-48 hours before using the space. Always follow the sealant manufacturer’s application instructions. DO NOT use Fila Matte Finish Protective Wax in outdoor applications as UV rays can cause discoloration over time.

• ALWAYS cover the tiles with durable paperboard during and after installation to prevent damage and/or staining of the tiles until construction is complete.

TRIM

• We recommend installing cement from floor to ceiling or bringing drywall flush with the finished surface of your tile to eliminate the need for trim.

• If you have an exposed edge with your design, we recommend mitering your tile. Your experienced installer should be familiar with cutting the edges at a 45-degree angle to create a corner out of two tiles. This will mimic a finished trim piece and can easily be done on site to get the finished look without ordering custom trim.

• If you do require trim, we recommend Schluter strips, which can be found at www.schluter.com.

ONGOING MAINTENANCE

Over time, cement tile wears like a natural stone product, which is part of the appeal of this old-world tile. Clients should expect natural wear, fine lines on the tile surface (also known as crazing) and patina to occur to the finish over time.

CLEANING

• Vacuum or sweep tile regularly to remove abrasive material that can scratch the surface.

• Promptly clean up any spills, especially oil and grease. Un-cleaned spills can cause stains.

• Floors and walls can be wiped or mopped with warm, clean water and a pH neutral cleaner.

• Cement tiles should be cleaned using pH neutral cleaners ONLY. Use of acidic cleaners will stain the tiles. For regular cleaning, we recommend Miracle Sealants pH Neutral Tile and Stone Cleaner. For heavier stains, we recommend Miracle Sealants Heavy Duty Cleaner.

RE-SEALING

• Cement tile should be re-sealed at least every 1-2 years, or as often as needed depending on traffic and wear. For areas exposed to moisture, you may need to re-seal more often. Always re-seal in accordance with sealant manufacturer’s instructions.