HOW MOROCCAN TILES ARE MADE ?

This video shows how Moroccan tiles are made in our Factory in Morocco.Moroccan Tile is the ideal way to add art & beauty into any interior or exterior spaces including Kitchen walls, Bathroom floors, swimming waterline, patio deck, courtyard floors, and fireplace. Moorish Architectural Design company offers the finest selection of quality handmade Floor tiles, Wall tile including Moroccan tile, Moorish tiles known as Zillij tile, zellige, zellij, zellidj, Andalusian tile, Islamic tile. Zillij tile consists of individually handmade, hand-glazed, hand-chipped geometrical clay mosaics forming intricate Arabian geometric patterns. Our Moroccan tiles are eco-friendly and we are committed to environmentally sustainable manufacturing practices. Moroccan tiles works great in Kitchen backsplash, Kitchen floors, Bathroom, shower, murals, swimming pool, patio floors, fireplace, stairs, and much more. Moorish Architectural design company is proud to be a green tile company, zero wast facility, zero waste manufacturing artisan. Our handmade Moroccan tiles are organic,eco-friendly, and nature friendly.
Zillij mosaic tile also known as ZellidjZillijZellij, zellige is an important element Moorish and Moroccan architecture and  decorating. The word tile is derived from the French word tuile, which is, in turn, derived from the Latin word tegula, meaning a roof tile composed of baked clay. The process of production begins by mixing clay and water and kneeling them by hands and feet until they reach a high level of flexibility and homogeneity. Then, the mixture is cut into squares of 1 cm thickness each. The squares get dried up under the sun before they are put in a special oven for their first phase baking. The tiles are placed in different levels according to the degree of temperature required to attain a particular color. The white tile is often placed in the bottom followed by the blue, yellow, and the green on the top. The second phase starts when we remove the tiles from the oven and separate them by their colors; once we are done with this process, we start drawing the patterns of the intended design directly on tiles; this is done by ‘rasham’ followed by the cutting process which is performed by ‘naqqash’ who carefully separate the drawn pattern by a sharpened hammer. Last but not least, ‘khallas’ or finisher finishes the work by cutting the tiles’ edges assuring that they meet all requirements for production. With the help of our design team, the zillij master draws the design layout on the ground and places each furmah or piece of tile in its exact place in the overall pattern. Interestingly enough, the placement of tiles is done upside down, which makes it even more difficult to absorb. Moroccan floor tiles can add a convivial feel, making visitors feel welcome, add some Moroccan spice to your life and theirs!  Moroccan Tiles made with care and attention. Passionate artisans never cut corners and traditional processes are passed down from generation to generation. 

Zillij usually used to cover walls, floors and columns of  kitchens, bathrooms, fireplace, patio, courtyard, fountain,living and dining rooms and many other spaces. These spaces do not only include residences, but also restaurants, hotels, resorts, spas, swimming pool, theatres, golf country clubs, and many other commercial projects. Zillij tiles takes different motifs (geometric, floral and chiseled) in a organic and traditionally glazed colors. Each motif and color remains a symbol and has a special significance in the iconography of the Islamic/Moorish art. Zillij mosaic tiles goes well with either traditional mediteranean style or even modern contemporary style depending on the combination of colors and pattern that can be made in endless possibilities.
Apart from the floors and walls, zillij can be used to produce beautiful tables and fountains with a wide variety of motifs and colors. The fountains can either be central or part of a wall. It is usually placed on the wall opposite the main entrance, immediately facing the visitor, as the focus of the zillij decoration. The fountain is a very important element of the Moorish house because water is an epitome of life in the ancient Moorish culture for so many centuries in Al Hambra, Spain. In hot weather, the water from courtyard pools and fountains cools down the surroundings and the running water works as relaxing and appealing visual elements. Water does not only reflect architecture and multiply decorative themes, but it can also serve as a means of emphasizing the visual axes.

For more info, feel free to contact Moorish Architectural Design team experts at (415) 702.9617 or email us at sales@moorisharchitecturaldesign.com