Direct Answer: Authentic Moroccan tiles are entirely handcrafted by artisans in Fez using techniques passed down through generations. Each tile is hand-cut, hand-glazed, and kiln-fired individually—a process that takes 2-4 weeks compared to hours for factory tiles.

Value Reinforcement: The difference is visible in every piece: handcrafted tiles have subtle color variations, organic edges, and a depth of glaze that machine-made tiles cannot replicate. These aren't imperfections—they're signatures of authenticity. When you choose My Moroccan Tile, you're investing in artisan legacy and cultural heritage, not factory inventory.

Direct Answer: The "Zellige de Fès" label is an official quality certification awarded only to tiles produced in Fez, Morocco, using traditional methods and meeting strict craftsmanship standards.

Value Reinforcement: When you see this label on your tiles, you have assurance that you're receiving genuine Moroccan craftsmanship, not tiles mass-produced in factories and marketed as "Moroccan-style." It's your guarantee of authenticity, quality, and investment in a product that will appreciate in character and value over time.

Learn more about the Zellige de Fès Quality Label →

Direct Answer: Our pricing reflects the true cost of artisan labor, premium materials, and made-to-order production. Each tile requires skilled hands—from the master craftsmen who mix natural glazes to the artisans who hand-cut each piece from terracotta slabs.

Value Reinforcement: You're not just buying tiles—you're supporting centuries-old craft traditions and ensuring these skills survive for future generations. That's an investment in cultural heritage as much as in your home or project. These tiles become more valuable over time, both aesthetically and as artifacts of authentic craftsmanship.

Direct Answer: The right tile depends on your application, design vision, and installation environment. We offer four main categories:

Zellij Tiles (our most popular): Best for walls, backsplashes, and decorative features. These hand-cut geometric pieces create intricate mosaic patterns. Ideal for luxury bathrooms, kitchen backsplashes, and feature walls.

Terracotta Tiles: Perfect for floors in high-traffic areas. Available in multiple collections (Terra Floors, Talia, Bijmat, Octa, Star & Cross, Hexa). Durable and warm underfoot.

Hand-Painted Tiles: Limited production makes them perfect for accent walls, borders, or small decorative installations where you want truly unique artistry.

Custom Mosaics: Pre-assembled for easy installation, ideal for architects and designers who want intricate patterns without complex on-site assembly.

Value Reinforcement: For large projects or specific requirements, we recommend ordering samples first. Our 30% conversion rate from sample to full project shows that seeing and touching the tiles in person helps customers make confident decisions. This isn't just about choosing a product—it's about selecting the right artisan tradition for your space.

Direct Answer: Current design trends favor a sophisticated neutral palette with strategic color accents. Trending colors include beige, ivory, light blue, seladon (soft sage-green), and warm neutrals dominating luxury residential and hospitality projects. Yellow palettes are emerging as accent colors, particularly in boutique hotel designs.

Value Reinforcement: The beauty of made-to-order production is that we can create custom colorways to match your specific design vision. Regional preferences vary—California and Arizona clients tend toward cooler neutrals, while New York and Florida projects feature warmer beiges and terracottas. We can adapt to your exact needs, ensuring your tiles are truly custom, not just selected from limited stock options.

Direct Answer: Yes! We offer a sample ordering service, and we strongly recommend it. Seeing and touching the tiles in person helps you appreciate the handcrafted quality, color depth, and texture that photographs cannot fully capture.

Value Reinforcement: Samples let you test colors in your actual lighting conditions, feel the glaze texture, and understand the natural variations inherent in handcrafted work. Order samples early in your planning process—this gives you time to make informed decisions and helps your designer or architect specify the perfect tiles without timeline pressure.

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Direct Answer: Total timeline from order to delivery is 3-8 weeks, depending on shipping method. Production takes 2-4 weeks in our Fez workshop, where artisans hand-cut, glaze, and fire each piece specifically for your project. Shipping adds 5-10 days for air freight or 6+ weeks for maritime.

Value Reinforcement: For architects and designers working within project schedules, we recommend planning for 6-8 weeks total to allow buffer time. This production timeline ensures you receive fresh, made-to-order tiles rather than warehouse inventory. For large projects, consider ordering in phases if your installation schedule allows—this helps manage cash flow while ensuring tiles arrive when installers are ready.

Direct Answer: We've designed our shipping to make authentic Moroccan craftsmanship accessible, with complimentary freight options for most project sizes:

Complimentary FOB Airport Delivery (50–250 sq ft): Free freight to your nearest international airport. You arrange customs clearance and final delivery. Timeline: 5-10 days.

Door-to-Door Service (up to 250 sq ft, fees apply): Full logistics management from Fez to your doorstep, including customs clearance. Timeline: 5-10 days. Zero stress—we handle every detail.

Complimentary Maritime Freight (over 250 sq ft): Free sea freight for substantial orders. Timeline: 6+ weeks. For large projects, we eliminate shipping costs entirely.

Value Reinforcement: Our complimentary shipping thresholds mean that shipping costs, often a concern for imported tiles, become minimal or zero for most projects. Projects 50-250 sq ft receive complimentary airport delivery. Projects over 250 sq ft get completely free maritime shipping. Your design consultant will provide detailed guidance based on your specific timeline and location.

Direct Answer: Our made-to-order model is a deliberate choice that benefits you in several important ways. Your tiles are created specifically for your project, ensuring freshness, true customization, and exclusivity.

Value Reinforcement: This model ensures you receive pieces that haven't been sitting in warehouses where they can chip or crack. Because we're not constrained by pre-made inventory, we can adjust colors, sizes, and patterns to your exact specifications. Once production begins, we cannot accept returns or exchanges—this isn't a limitation, it's a guarantee that your installation is truly one of a kind. Every tile we create has a home, reducing waste and supporting sustainable practices.

Direct Answer: Proper installation materials are crucial for handcrafted tiles.

For Zellij and Mosaic Tiles (walls):

• Thinset: White polymer-modified (not gray—shows through lighter glazes)
• Grout: Unsanded grout for narrow joints (matching the joints within the mosaics)
• Color: Neutral grays and beiges complement most palettes

For Terracotta Floor Tiles:

• Thinset: Medium-bed mortar for uneven handcrafted surfaces
• Grout: Sanded grout for wider joints
• Sealer: Essential! Apply penetrating sealer before grouting, then again after

Value Reinforcement: Always back-butter each tile in addition to troweling the wall/floor—this ensures full adhesion despite surface irregularities. For terracotta tiles, plan for slightly wider grout joints (1/8"-3/16") to accommodate natural size variations. For mosaics, keep joints narrow and consistent with the spacing within the mosaic sections to maintain the visual integrity of the pattern. Installers accustomed to mass-produced tiles sometimes struggle initially, but these techniques celebrate handcrafted qualities rather than fight them.

Direct Answer: Our custom mosaics are pre-assembled to make installation significantly easier. You receive mosaic sections mounted on mesh backing, pre-fitted to your specifications.

Installation Process:

1. Surface Prep: Clean, level, and primed wall/floor
2. Layout: Dry-fit sections to confirm pattern alignment
3. Adhesive: White polymer-modified thinset
4. Setting: Press sections firmly for full contact
5. Grouting: Wait 24-48 hours, use unsanded grout with narrow joints matching the spacing within the mosaics

Value Reinforcement: Installation is 60-70% faster than individual tile setting, with no risk of pattern errors. This reduces labor costs significantly while ensuring professional results even for less experienced installers. The complex artisan work is already done—you're installing sections, not solving geometric puzzles. Critical: maintain the same narrow joint width between mosaic sections as exists within the sections themselves. This creates visual continuity and honors the artisan's intended design. Don't try to adjust individual tiles within mesh sections; trust the artisan assembly.

Direct Answer: Proper care ensures your handcrafted tiles maintain their beauty for generations. Care requirements vary by tile type:

For Glazed Zellij and Mosaic Tiles (walls):

• Cleaning: Wipe with soft cloth and warm water
• Deep cleaning: pH-neutral tile cleaner (avoid acidic or abrasive cleaners)
• Sealing: Not required but recommended—use penetrating sealer for added protection
• Avoid: Harsh chemicals that can dull the hand-mixed glazes

For Terracotta Floor Tiles:

• Sealing is essential: Apply penetrating sealer immediately after installation, then annually
• Cleaning: Sweep or vacuum to remove grit, damp mop with pH-neutral cleaner
• Avoid: Vinegar, bleach, or acidic cleaners that strip sealer
• Reseal: High-traffic areas every 6-12 months

For Hand-Painted Tiles:

• Treat like glazed tiles—gentle cleaning only
• Extra care around painted details to preserve artisan work
• Avoid abrasive scrubbing on decorative surfaces

Value Reinforcement: Your tiles are an investment that appreciates with proper care. Terracotta tiles develop a rich, warm patina over years of use. Glazed tiles maintain their luminous depth when cleaned gently. We provide detailed care guides with every order, tailored to your specific tile type and installation location. Simple maintenance—regular sealing for terracotta, gentle cleaning for glazed surfaces—ensures your tiles will be enjoyed for generations, just as Moroccan tiles have graced historic buildings for centuries.

Direct Answer: Natural variations in color, texture, and dimension are inherent characteristics of authentic handcrafted tiles—they are signatures of artisan work, not defects.

What to expect:

• Color variations: Each tile's glaze is hand-mixed and hand-applied, creating subtle shifts in tone
• Dimensional variations: Hand-cut tiles may vary by 1/8"-1/4" in size
• Surface texture: Organic edges and slight undulations from hand-shaping
• Glaze depth: Natural pooling and movement during kiln firing creates unique patterns

Value Reinforcement: These variations ensure your installation is truly one of a kind. When light plays across your wall or floor, the subtle color shifts create depth and movement. The slight dimensional differences add organic texture that feels alive, not sterile. This is why interior designers and architects specify handcrafted Moroccan tiles for luxury projects—the variations elevate the space beyond what factory-made tiles can achieve. Your tiles will never look mass-produced because they aren't.

Direct Answer: Because each tile and mosaic is handcrafted specifically for your project, we cannot accept returns, refunds, or exchanges once production begins.

Value Reinforcement: We protect your investment through our sample program (strongly encouraged before committing), design consultation (ensuring perfect alignment with your vision), rigorous quality control at our Fez workshop, and transparent expectations about natural variations. Handcrafted tiles will have subtle color variations, organic edges, and slight dimensional differences. These characteristics are what make your installation authentic, valuable, and truly one of a kind—no one else will have exactly what you have.