Cotto tile is an incredibly versatile tile type, making it an excellent choice for a wide variety of applications. We high-fire each tile, which hardens and seals each one from the elements. If you have an area that gets exposed to freeze-thaw conditions, Cotto tile is one of the best options for installation, as they are manufactured in a way that blocks water from penetrating the tile where it can freeze and cause cracks. Our Cotto tiles can be installed both inside and outside, and in areas exposed to both dry and wet conditions.
Whether you’re adding tile to walls, backsplashes, or floors, our Cotto tiles add a warm and natural, yet modern look to your living space. Common areas for Cotto tile installation include kitchens, bathrooms, patios, backsplashes, shower walls, shower floors, fountains, spas, and entryways.
Yes! Zia’s Cotto tiles are high-fired, sealing them off from water penetration, making them perfect for wet locations such as bathrooms, kitchens, and outdoor living spaces. That said, you’ll still want to ensure the installation surface of each area is stable and waterproof prior to starting the installation. Finally, be sure to use adhesive cement and grout appropriate for use in wet areas.
Because Cotto tile is sealed as a result of the firing process, it’s suitable even in areas that experience frost or freezing temperatures where other tiles may crack due to freeze-thaw cycles. With that said, places Cotto tile should not be installed include areas that might encounter heavy loads like vehicles or equipment, such as on driveways or garage floors.
Zia Tile’s Cotto tiles are made from the finest clays, first extruded and then high-fired, resulting in beautiful earthy tones that feature natural variations. Each of our Cotto tiles has a truly unique look, with a depth and character that’s all their own. A major benefit of our Cotto tile manufacturing process beyond the beautiful appearance is the water-resistance properties baked into each tile. This enables Zia’s Cotto tile to be installed where freeze-thaw cycles might damage more porous tiles that soak water up, along with areas that are exposed to wet conditions frequently, such as outdoor living spaces.
The materials that are used and the firing process of making our Cotto tiles means no two tiles look exactly alike. Each Zia Cotto tile has subtle variations in its color tones, patterns, and details that add more character to our Cotto tiles than plainly mass-produced tiles that are highly uniform in appearance. Our Cotto tiles are a great design decision for installation in environments which prioritize authenticity and craftsmanship. Zia’s Cotto tiles have an approximate variation of 15-20% between each tile. If you’re seeking a more uniform look, we suggest increasing the order size by 20% to reduce the amount of variation during installation.
Cotto tiles should be sealed prior to grout with a penetrating sealer that acts as a grout release to avoid grout haze. You can mix different tones and shades from different cartons of Cotto tile for achieving a harmonic look between the varying hues and surface textures. For installation areas that may come in direct contact with water, such as bathroom showers, kitchen backsplashes, or outdoor living spaces, you’ll want to ensure the base installation surface has been properly waterproofed before you install your new Cotto tile.
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.
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. 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. Proper installation and protection of cement tile is key. Please ensure that the tile is laid by an installer with experience installing cement tile.
Moroccan zellige (zellij) requires true craftsmanship. Historically used in geometric and floral shapes in the most beautiful palaces, zellige tile 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 piece of zellige is hand dipped in glaze and then methodically placed in an earthen kiln. Heat is distributed unevenly throughout the kiln which gives zellige its 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.
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 tile 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.
We offer all customers the option to order samples through our website by clicking on the Request a Sample button each tile page. All cement tile and zellige sample orders are limited to up to 4 per tile design, and customers may order up to 10 samples total. 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 cement tile and zellige tile 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
© 2025 ZIA TILE | All Rights Reserved.
