If you are reading this, I assume you also could not resist the temptation to use the Zellige tile, which so many love. Well, why would you?! It is stunning! In this blog post, I will explain how to install Zellige tile and create a kitchen backsplash to adore!

The photo above is from our last project, where we installed Clé Tile’s 2″ x 6″ Weathered White Bejmat Zellige in a stacked or grid pattern. You can see in the photo below from the kitchen of our current project (our own home) that we installed Riad Tile’s 4″ x 4″ zellige in Snow White in a stacked pattern.

 

Tools Required for a Zellige Moroccan Tile Backsplash

• Thin-set mortar (white if you have light-colored tile/grout)
• 1/4″ x 1/4″ square notched trowel
• Plastic sheeting
• A wet saw
• Wood for a ledger board
• Buckets for water
• Microfiber cloths (non-shedding)
• 1/16″ tile spacers
• A level
• A laser level
• 5″ x 2″ steel trowel
• Grout (if you are grouting)
• Sponges

Prep Work for Backsplash Installation

​Team

If this is your first time installing Zellige tile, I recommend doing it as a team of two. My husband and I did the first few installations together. After a little while, I could do it myself, but at first, it was a huge help to have two people doing it. I did the laying, and he did the cutting and buttering. It worked out perfectly! While it may seem daunting, installing zellige tile is not as difficult as you think!

Prepare the Wall

Before you start, make sure to turn the power off to the outlets and remove the cover plates.

Ensure that the wall on which you are installing the tile backsplash is smooth. For example, if you have mudded drywall joints that have not been sanded, sand them. Also, wipe the walls down with a slightly damp cloth to remove any dust and debris. You want to start the installation with a flat, smooth, and clean surface.

Inspect and Prep the Tile

Before you get started on your backsplash, make sure you have plastic covering any surfaces you do not want to get wet or covered in mortar. You will want to open a few boxes of tiles and blend them. You don’t want to pull from the same box for one area.

Depending on the amount of space you have, I recommend that you lay out the tiles or a portion of the tiles that you plan to use.   Laying them out lets you see the various sizes and colors, so you can be selective when installing the tiles. Zellige tiles are handmade tiles that are also hand cut. The sizes are slightly irregular and they have uneven edges, but that is what makes them so special!

It also allows you to identify the tiles with significant chips or pitting so you can pull them out of the mix. I like to set those aside for the tiles that need to be cut.

Lay Out the Tile

There are two different ways to install your kitchen backsplash. Both methods ensure that you have the same-sized tiles at the ends and top and bottom of your backsplash, which is a better-finished look. For example, you don’t want rows of whole tiles and a row of 1″ cut tiles for your last row under your cabinets.

The first layout method is to start from the center point and work your way up and out. If you choose to start from the center, you will measure and mark the center point, then, using a laser level, determine and mark the center horizontal and vertical lines. I recommend tracing the laser lines using a Sharpie. This will allow you to see enough of the lines through the mortar to use them as a guide.

You can then use strips of wood fastened to the studs as a ledger board under your horizontal center line to support the tile when working up and out from your center point.

The second layout method starts from the first row where the tile meets the countertop. You will still want to determine your backsplash center point, length, and height to determine the size of the tiles for the first and last rows and the tiles at the end of the backsplash on each side. This is my preferred installation method, but you should choose the method with which you are most comfortable!

I always set up the laser level to determine the bottom of the first row of tile to ensure levelness throughout the rest of the installation. Use your spacers where needed to make sure your first row is level.

Final Measurements

You have heard the saying, “Measure twice and cut once.” In this case, measure at least twice and cut once! First of all, Zellige tile is not inexpensive, so you will be very unhappy if you cut a slew of tiles only to realize that the size is not accurate. Secondly, you may have to order more, which means delaying the satisfaction of seeing your gorgeous new backsplash!

Save yourself the frustration by measuring at least twice and drawing it out. I also recommend that you have someone else double-check your measurements. I call it a “make sense check.” Sometimes, when you look at something for too long, you don’t see it clearly and can make simple mistakes.

If you have the space, I recommend dry-laying the tile for one last verification before cutting it. Just a little more time can spare you a lot of anguish!

Tile Backsplash Installation Process

I will explain how to install a Zellige tile kitchen backsplash based on general guidelines and my personal experience. I recommend that you study the installation instructions for the tile you purchase to be sure there aren’t any discrepancies or additional instructions you need to follow.

At this point, you should have the tiles you want to use laid out, and you should either have pre-cut or prepared to cut the top and bottom rows and the end pieces on both sides. You should have a center point, and lines marked on the wall and your ledger board installed if you plan to start from the center of the backsplash. You should also have your saw set up, a bucket of water and level nearby, and thin-set mortar mixed and ready to go.

Apply the Thin-Set Mortar

You want to start with a small area to avoid getting ahead of yourself. Make sure to check the working time on your mortar. I like to set incremental alarms on my phone so I am always aware. It is incredible how quickly time goes by when you are installing tile! You don’t want it to dry before you can get to it.

Using either your 2″ trowel or the flat side of your notched trowel, spread the mortar evenly on the wall, trying to eliminate all voids. The voids in your smooth coat will leave voids in your trowel lines. Hold the trowel at a 45-degree angle and pull the trowel across the mortar in one direction. I think it is easiest to pull from right to left.

If you are more of a visual learner and would like a better understanding of how to spread and trowel mortar, I recommend this article, which includes a video by Scott Carothers, How to Correctly Trowel Mortar When Installing Tile.

​Soak the Tiles

You must soak the tiles in water for 1-2 minutes before installation. This prevents the clay from absorbing the moisture from the mortar.

Butter the Tiles

For proper installation, you must butter the back of each tile. That means you will spread a thin, smooth layer of the thin-set mortar on the back of the tile. Doing so ensures adhesion with the wall mortar. I prefer to use the 2″ trowel to butter the tiles. Try to apply a layer of consistent thickness to each tile. Use the side of the trowel to clean up the mortar from the edges of the tiles.

Setting the Tiles

When setting the tiles in the mortar, as shown in the video, you press on the tile and move it in the opposite direction of the trowel lines. This allows the air to be forced out and a strong bond to be achieved. Be cautious not to press so hard that the mortar is forced out from behind the tile. I highly recommend cleaning off the tile as you continue with the installation. The mortar is much easier to clean off when it is wet!

Using Spacers

Some installers do not use spacers at all when installing Zellige tile. Personally, I think you get the best results by using spacers where needed to compensate for the slight variations in tile size. The goal should be a space of no more than 1/16 “. You can use traditional 1/16″ spacers or wedge spacers.

Wedge spacers are most often recommended, but as you can see in the photo below, I used traditional 1/16” spacers. You will likely need to set spacers below the first row to achieve a level start and in the horizontal and vertical spaces between some tiles. You can see from the photo below that I used spacers around every tile for our first backsplash, but I only used them where needed for the second.

For the second installation, I used them where dictated by the size of the tiles I was setting to maintain straight horizontal and vertical lines.

It is important to remember that much of the beauty of zellige tile comes from its imperfect nature. The grout lines are not meant to be perfectly symmetrical.

Using the Level

You can use a level against the face of a row of tiles to ensure the tiles are flush. As the depth of zellige tiles is inconsistent and can vary, you may need to add mortar to the back of individual tiles to make them sit flush with the rest in the row.

​Grouting

You will want to determine which grout is recommended by the tile manufacturer you purchased for your backsplash. We used Mapei Ultracolor Plus FA, but that may not be what all manufacturers recommend. Make sure to read the instructions for your particular grout. If you decide to use the Mape Ultracolor Plus FA, I recommend you read my post, How to Grout Floor Tile Using Ultracolor Plus FA. The same application principles apply whether you are grouting floor or wall tile.

When applying grout, you want to firmly press an adequate amount into the joints. Not pressing enough will result in voids. If you are using sponges to clean off the grout, just be aware that the jagged edges of the tile will tear the sponges and leave tiny pieces in your grout. You can avoid this by not pressing too hard.

Follow the instructions on your particular grout for haze removal and cleanup. I typically use the mixture and a non-shedding cloth to remove the haze by hand. It may not be the fastest method, but I have found it gives me the best results.

Summary

After reading this post, you should know which tools you need to install a Zellige tile backsplash and understand how to install one! I hope you feel confident enough to take on the project on your own! If you are just in the planning stages of a kitchen renovation, make sure to check out my post, 4 Fantastic Kitchen Renovation Survival Tips! If you know your kitchen is due for renovation and don’t know where to start, you should check out my post, 5 Best Kitchen Layouts for Your Home Renovation.