the timeless, rich mosaics of morocco
create a classic look with these color combinations
this collection features patterns incorporating 4" octagon and 1" bouchon in neutral shades: weathered white, moroccan sea salt, charred cedar, vintage rose and natural unglazed terracotta. each octagon can be mixed with a contrasting bouchon to create countless pattern combinations and a truly custom look. the collection offers outstanding variations of color and texture, and is perfect as an accent wall or even for a floor surface. also included are pre-assembled mosaic border designs perfect to frame floors, cap backsplashes and more.
why we love this collection
designer anthony d'argenzio of zio & sons has a flair for transforming historic ideas and techniques, redesigning them for a modern take on vintage. our shared appreciation for the way tile can elevate so many styles of design, from ultra modern to traditional and rustic, led us to this collaboration. we love the way this collection–a clé customer favorite–can create so many moods, from streamlined and sophisticated to warm and cozy, as well as unexpected bridges between the two.
design: logan killen interiors / photo: little collins
all zellige is not created equal
clé is committed to the craft of traditional ceramics and to the authenticity of the art form. we ensure that we always deliver a handcrafted, wood-fired product that embodies a true moroccan zellige surface. inherent color variations, surface marks and signature flaws (from olive pits exploding in the firing) are trademark characteristics of this ancient craft that we endeavor to maintain; in fact, it is a hallmark of true zellige that we believe is to be cherished. discover why we call zellige the “perfectly imperfect” tile.
product specifications
technical specifications
non freeze thaw resistant
radiant heating compatible
uv resistant
stove backsplash
sink backsplash
interior floor
light residential
interior wall
exterior wall
fireplace surround
fountain waterline
pool waterline
shower floor + wall
steam shower floor + wall
* see material guidelines guide for specific requirements
for more information, see our tile variation & imperfections guide
for more information, see our tile variation & imperfections guide
read before you buy this tile
do i need to seal zio & sons tiles?
for exterior sealing, clé recommends stonetech heavy duty exterior sealer from laticrete.
for glazed zellige with visible crazing, unglazed natural zellige, or if using a contrasting grout, clé recommends sealing with stonetech heavy duty sealer from laticrete as a pre-grout treatment.
if you are installing unglazed zellige on a busy kitchen backsplash where heavy staining is a concern, we recommend applying the clé top coat kit to the tile surface and grouted areas instead of using laticrete sealing products. the clé top coat kit can provide even more protection against stains on backsplashes. please note that this product is only a top coat and should only be applied as the final step of installation. please do not use this as a pre-grout treatment and be careful during the grouting process, using a grout bag and cleaning up as you go.
dry applications of glazed zellige do not require sealing as the final step of installation.
for all other sealing and protecting, clé recommends stonetech bulletproof sealer from laticrete.
for more information about sealing please see our zio & sons + clé zellige material guidelines.
do you offer trim for your zio & sons tile?
at clé we follow the international model of no trim and highly recommend our clients to do the same. below are the trim alternatives we recommend for this collection.
- if your project needs to turn a corner either inwardly or outwardly, mitering the tiles to meet seamlessly in a corner gives it the cleanest, crafted finish.
- another way to complete your tiling is to run a bead of caulk or grout along the exposed tile edge (not suitable for natural zellige).
- if you have a painted surface next to your tile, you can choose to paint the outer edge of the tile to match the painted surface
- like with any of our tiles, you can also build out the sheetrock so that the surface of the finished sheetrock is flush with the surface of the tile.
for more detailed recommendations about about trim, please see our trim guide.
how do i take care of my zio & sons tiles?
over time, a natural patina will occur on floors as they are maintained and naturally wear. this inherent traffic pattern is a highlight of using zellige and should be both anticipated and favored.
mild, pH neutral soaps should be sufficient for most cleaning—test before general use. for all other maintenance, clé recommends laticrete cleaning products.
see our zio & sons + clé zellige material guidelines for more information.
what type of finish should i expect with this collection?
all tiles in our zio & sons collection have a glossy glazed finish with the exception of charred cedar which is glazed but with a textured satin finish rather than glossy, and natural zellige which is unglazed and has an unfinished porous surface.
how much variation should i expect?
zellige tiles are created from natural glazes, pigments and clay, are fired in handmade kilns using olive pits, and chiseled by hand into desired shapes and sizes. because of the natural materials and the artisan production methods, there will be noticeable variations in thickness, size, shade and color. there may even be differences in the same color across different sizes of zellige. if you want a uniform looking glazed tile, zellige may not be right for your project!
due to the natural materials and production process of zellige tiles, there will be degrees of variation in color, shade and size in your order, therefore it is important to blend the tiles from all boxes once they arrive and place them in their installation area to ensure you have the layout you want before installing.
please note that it is impossible to guarantee a perfect color match across different size tiles in the same zellige glaze, which may affect your layout. it is expected that there will be variation across the different sizes, due to the handcrafted nature of the tiles. If you wish to have your tiles made-to-order for optimal color continuity, please email contact@cletile.com to inquire.
variation and imperfection ratings:
zio & sons glazed zellige tiles are rated 'level 3 medium' for color and texture variation, and 'level 3 heavy' for size variation. all glazed tiles, except for charred cedar which is rated ‘level 3 heavy’, are rated 'level 2 preval
