For those coming back to this thread based on interest in "Cle Tile" (not other Zellige or "Zellige look" tiles), we are seeing some serious concerns in the professional tile contracting industry that echos Claire Odeoso's (above poster) concerns about quality and service right now. Over the top, serious problems and no help at all from Cle. Damaged (not imperfect but unusable) tiles to the extent you cannot complete the project, zero help from Cle and even worse stories. Maybe something happened in past few years with quality control, management, service, etc., but there is an alert out to tile contractors to beware. Just a heads up. Cle needs to get their act together. And while we are talking about this, Please consider those REAL handmade tile artisan SMALL Businesses that can knock it out of the park for you. There are many all over the country. You might find they are not more expensive in the long run. *Note, we are not a tile maker, but we care about the industry and our customers.

@Dragonfly Tile & Stone Works, Inc. thank you for sharing. Do have any experience with Riad?

@Shiloh S, We do not have experience personally with RIAD so cannot comment. We DO work with many handmade tile makers and are involved in our industry effort to educate tile professionals on best practices for working with handmade tile for optimal results.

@mea2006 Your kitchen turned out beautiful! May I ask what grout spacing you used? Also, are you happy with the frost grey grout? Wondering if I should go with frost grey or avalanche. Any advice would be appreciated!

@kbm16 I’m also trying to decide on grout colour. Which one did you go with?

@Vanessa McNicol I went with Frost. If you'd like to see it, I posted pictures in a post that you should be able to see if you click on my profile

9383838392% true the custuomer servicr is TERRIBLE!! product is terrible everythijg is so terrible

Overall I had a great experience with Cle considering I ordered all of my materials during Covid and the supply chain was totally whacked, just like the rest of the world (1 year and still don’t have my bosch dish washer). There was a certain portion of tiles that were not to our liking ….but we did exactly what they said which was order the percentage more than you needed and Cle helped us round those numbers out so there was actually no surprises. We order slate for our entry and that looks great too. The weathered white tile looks beautiful in our kitchen, we went with 2 x 6 tiles and pairs perfectly with the cake batter paint color from Benjamin Moore. If you are a perfectionist or get bothered by tiny flaws in materials or do not like rustic looks with character don’t get this tile. I personally think it’s beautiful in my kitchen but it’s truly up to the eye of the beholder at the end of the day. You are going to see flaws in this tile and you’re going to need to be OK with that… it is the look. I have this feeling that a bunch of people saw the top designers like Becky Owens and Shay McGee do some kitchens in this tile and you didn’t get to see all of the processes involved in putting it up but designers work closely with there contractors, and so did Shay (she posted videos of her kitchen being done and you’ll see). To make sure the color of the grout was correct we didn’t go with a recommendation on the Cle site and we worked with our contractor to make sure that things were going in the right direction, sometimes contractors are stubborn and use the grout they’ve been working with for years and that is ok too. Question to ask your tile guy is if they’ve ever worked with natural tiles like cle, our guys are also marble/granite installers. I just think all of these photo shopped pictures that people post on the Internet don’t do it justice bc if you zoom in on Shea McGee‘s home in her own actual kitchen you’ll see flaws and she also post videos of it being put up so you can see how actually flawed the material is which is part of its charm! the way she she pairs old with new materials in her homes is “the look”. So yes support local tile places in Canada, yes get used to seeing flaws in Cle tile, yes hire good stone workers who understand the business (btw they admitted said it is hard to work with but that not Cle’s fault. Its thick, heavy and will take more time than they are used to. It will break when they cut it sometimes. Have them stop in sections and ask you if it’s going in the right direction if there is a particular tile that is going to really bother you have them move it before it’s too late. And with any order your contractors should always be ordering a little extra anyhow probably just a little extra more with Cle. will that incur additional cost…. of course that’s the price you’re paying for this look. When your contractor spends more time putting it on your wall will that incur more cost of course. will that make you angry of course…. but it’s the kitchen I’m going to be staring at for 20 years. My sister just put up tile in her kitchen that was half the time half the cost and looks great with no imperfections it’s faster to put up thinner ceramic tiles… and she is happy.

Hi guys...I was in love with my cle tiles until they were up and glazed...now I feel like they are too pink. I spent hours and hours cherry picking so they would look mostly grey...like in Becky Owen's photos. Do any of you feel like they are too pink? I don't mind the imperfection. I love that aspect but after all of this money and time I have spent, I am unhappy with the color. Has anyone ever reglazed zellige tile? Is that even possible?

@mich230 Im sorry youre not likjng them, but im glad you shared this. when I have seen cles tile online unfiltered I always saw purple and pinker tones, which led me to find Riad. I have yet to order, but this helps confrim! Becki Owens Family Ties is the Sea Salt, is this what you used or did you go with Weathered White?

@Shiloh S @mich230 I also wemt with Riad and am very happy with them! All of the designers like Becki owens use filters and professional photographers so the image youre seeing might be altered. Did you order samples first? I think you should live with them for awhile before attempting anything.

Also, just a thought, what items are surrounding your tiles, perhaps they arr picking up colors that are more pink undertone in the surrounding area. Try putting some darker items around them, darker shelves or cabinets ?

I went with the weathered white. I changed the grout to be a bit darker which creates more contrast and looks better but still not in love. I really want to reglaze them but not sure what that would look like on the other end. Has anyone every reglazed Zellige?

And Kay, you are right...I am working with my contractor to adjust my under the cabinet lighting with is making them look many different colors depending on the color temperature ugh

Thanks @kay. I love your kitchen. Do you know what white paint matches your cabinets the best? Did you ise the same color on walls. Your Riad looks great!

Mich230, just curious why did you glazes the weathered white? They come pre-glazed already?

I remember reading on the Clé Tile website that you shouldn’t use spacers when installing these tiles and they’re meant to be placed really close together.

I read that spacers are optional ... it isn't hard and fast rule on this tile. We used spacers though. It sort of like the quarter round piece that lots of people want to finish the edges, again optional...it's a different look if you omit it like some suggest (imperfect/rustic vs more finished). I honestly don't know how they do without the spacers because I think it helps them keep things even?

Working on my bathroom right now using Cle Tile. My order took 2-3 weeks longer during pandemic. But other than that, it went quite smooth. Doing it myself. It is challenging and I am no expert. This is my second time doing tiles and the first was a very small subway tile backplash. This is a lot lot more time consuming, but so much prettier. I am working on my accent wall using Cle Tea Ceremony 2 x 6. The te ceremony is more blue than green. I hope it will change a bit when my lights are all in. Work in progress. Low light right now but the Sea Salt is quite white and clean. I ordered exactly 15% over as suggested by Cle and it worked out for me.

For those who are interested in DIY, here are my process steps:

1) Mixed/blended all boxes.

2) I separated the more flawed ones and use them for areas where I didnt need the whole tiles (i.e., shower niche or corners). Also blended the flawed ones from all different boxes. I find about 5-7% was really unusable. But I really took the time to go thru each piece to determine. I am not sure if typical contractors will do that.

3) Soaked a bunch at a time for at least 2 min. I left them in the bucket much longer, but at least soak them that long so they could get moisture instead of sucking in the moisture from the thin set.

4) Placed on wall to test how they would come together before pasting it on permanently. I placed them edge to edge, no spacers. I also only trimmed/shaved them when I must. Otherwise, just embraced the irregularity and variance. Applied thin set to the wall and also the back of the tiles.

5) Used the wedges to lift corners here and there.

6) Cleaned and dehazed

7) Applied grout and cleaned

It was very crucial to read the instructions from Cle like 5 times. Also watched youtube videos.

This thread scared me, so I ordered way too many tiles so that I can pick out the best ones. Honestly, even the most imperfect ones would’ve still worked. I opened all the boxes up before delivery truck left. I took photos of them on the pallet as Cle suggested. Very happy with Cle and the tiles.

I have had a similar terrible experience with Cle. There is perfectly imperfect - different coloring, uneven adherence to the wall to create texture - and then there's scratches, cracks, brown and green spots. The problem isn't that such issues aren't expected in a tile order, but the sheer number of affected tiles - over 25% of my order was like that. If i were to use those tiles on a wall, i'd get something looking like someone took a hammer at the wall, played darts on it, or the tiles had some form of chicken pox prior to installation. Joking aside, customer service was terrible. Not just straight refusal to make any amends, but they were rude and just said I clearly don't know how to appreciate Zellige, so tough luck. Their strategy seems to be to tire you out until you give up. As the OP said, NONE ZERO of their pictures posted on the website show any of these issues with the tiles, at least not to the extent that I have encountered them in my order. Look, depending on surface tile, having a few of them with brown and green spots and cracks may be fine, but imagine half a wall of that. That is what they claim is normal. I asked that they take their normal tiles back and resell them but they refuse to take anything back unless i sent the full order back. Clearly, they know they can't resell the bad tiles. I also want to note that my order wasn't custom or made to order - they had a bunch of boxes in stock when i called to order and just picked a few and sent them to me. Anyway. I burned myself once and it won't happen again. I reached out to a few of their competitors who sell Zellige, presented my issues (which those competitors didn't say were expected!), and ordered the replacement amount I needed. I will never again order from Cle, especially not after their arrogant attitude. It costs nothing to treat each other with respect.

I checked every tile and about 25% of them weren’t as nice, but my installer used them anyway. Once they go on with the grout, then you can hardly notice the defects. The imperfections add interest imo, and bonus is that if your kitchen backsplash gets dirty, the mess blends in as well lol, but they are easy to clean. I truly love my Cle tiles and prefer how imperfect they look.

@samuelzmom, I'm curious what you have in the vase to the left of the cooktop.

I love the tile and installed it in my brothers master bathroom and kitchen. I actually want it in mine. No problems with installation, cracked or imperfect tiles.

@Robi J
Did you install Zellige tile? It honestly looks like Bedrosian Cloe ceramic tile in white (2.5” x 8”)

@samuelzmom @angharad_musladin Hoping either of you or anyone can offer some advice. I read this thread before I ordered my weathered white zellige tile from cle but I ordered anyway in hopes of achieving my own swoon worthy zellige kitchen to match what I see all over social media. I’m in the middle of my install and now panicked. The color feels totally wrong - my lot seems most white/cool tones. I understood the tile had high color variations but I thought that meant high variation between my 19 boxes - that I would have a mix of white, cream, pink pink, and blues. I don’t know what to do now. Will grout improve this? I’m realizing there aren’t a lot of pre and post grout examples out there. Is this a trust the process type thing? My kitchen feels like a cartoon. Is this normal? LOL

My samples are on the countertop for reference. They were much warmer (what I hoped for).

After looking at pictures on cle', we knew we wanted the 2x6 zellige tile for our kitchen backsplash. However, we had a hard time finding reviews, as well as pictures of people who had actually used it. We decided to take a risk and ordered the tile. We were very unhappy with the first installer, and had him take it all down. Our contractor then found another installer, who was vey slow, but loved a good challenge. We are more than pleased with the results, and highly recommend the cle' zellige bejmat. We ordered 15% over in the moroccan sea salt, and had around 2 boxes left over. We used a white grout, and used no particular spacing, as the installer just spaced them as to keep the vertical and horizontal lines straight. For anyone who has doubts, I promise you wont be disappointed.

Hello all, I am curious if anyone has used Riad? I am wondering if since they ship from the US there has been any trouble with cracking compared to Cle.

I would be shocked to hear they literally mocked you though I believe you that you've had a frustrating experience.

Any experience with Ann Sacks zellige? It's more expensive but we received samples from Cle and they were very flawed so we will pass. I'm also looking at Bedrosian and Riad. I have not received my Riad sample. I lke the Bedrosian sample and there is a store in my area which makes it convenient.

https://www.annsacks.com/collections/idris-by-ait-manos

I am a producer of zellige tiles and mosaics, as in all sectors there are liars, the authentic zellige made in Fez its beauty is due to imperfections in tone, color but never chips, that is because they deceived you and they were not responsible clikh here ZELLIGE

That is absolutely how they are, they are imperfect which is what makes them
Perfect. the website even says that they will have small chips and cracks in some of them. At least the one I go to.

Hi, I am a designer and I have used both Cle zellige and Bedrosians Chloe. They are totally different tiles and don't give the same look. Bedrosians is machine made with a much more uniform look, albeit variation in glaze coloring, but the tiles are uniform. Zellige, due to the handmade nature is very rustic and perfectly imperfect if that is the look you are going for. If you are ordering the zellige from Cle, Riad, or Zia, all of it is handmade and you have to be ok with the variation in coloring, thickness, edges, etc. If you want a little variation but can't handle that much difference, go with the Bedrosians, Heath, Fireclay...something that has variation but isn't as extreme.

@ Angharad Musladin

What grout color did you use?

@ Scott Young

What color grout did you use?

Has anyone had the experience of their Cle Weathered White turning blue? Help! Not what I hoped for or why I chose this color, and now Im stressed it changes the entire look of our kitchen. Does the gloss take on such a reflection from the sky and ocean maybe out our glass doors? Has anyone ever tried to take the sheen/shine off their tiles? Would that even help?? Im so desperate in not wanting a blue kitchen for my entire hood wall. Looking for any advice! Please!

Thanks!

It looks beautiful! what color did you purchase and from where?

That is so nice of you to say, but I am panicked. Sorry, the photos didnt attach with my post above them. These are the Weathered White zellige from Cle. They are stunning on my countertop (as you can see them laid out for the tiler on my island, such a beautiful organic soft chalky vanilla color), but as they got put up under the hood, they turned into a shimmery blue. Im not a fan at all since blue is not the color im going for. Desperate for advice other than pulling them all down 😩

I think you are getting a lot of reflection from whatever window/door is behind you when you took that photo, although the tiles near the sink also look gray-blue but not shimmery.

I have large window in my FL kitchen and ended up using a honed marble mosaic for my backsplash, because all the glossy/polished tiles I tested produced a lot of glare from the light coming through the windows and my polished quartzite counters.

I have pulled off brand new backsplash tile that didn't come out as planned. Hated to waste that money (specially since it was a custom order), but didn't regret it once the new replacement tile went up

Only you can decide if the cost is worth it.

Thanks Chispa..would love to see a picture of what you chose instead, since you had a similar issue! I’ve dreamt of this zellige tile for years while going through our remodel. Devastated to have to go through the process of choosing something else. Its actually the ocean and sky behind me. We are so fortunate to be near the water, during our remodel we tore down the wall and put it in bi fold doors to open it up completely. Never did I ever think that the reflection of the water would completely transform my zellige tiles. They’re almost like a mirror .. whatever is on the other side of them is what they transform to. The tiles on the window

wall actually look more gray in person than the pic. I was hoping someone would share they’ve had reflection issues as well, and maybe solved it with a product & was able to make them more matte. I did try some sealants both Dry Treat & 2 products from the 511 Miracle line. They do tone the reflection down, but not enough. It‘s only at night do they appear the original soft vanilla color I was hoping for. Also tried sanding one tile as a sample a bit to rough up the glaze, but it resulted in the tile looking quite ugly in nature. Ya, I have to make a decision before I grout it. Much harder to remove after that. If anyone has any other suggestions, I am willing to try! Two pics, one at night so there is zero reflection from the outside where they are the warmer white i hoped for, and another pic for reference of the tile on the counter reflecting from the white ceiling vs the tile against the wall reflecting from the outside that turns it blue 😫. Its absolutely wild how much they change!

In my current kitchen this was my test with Myorka White, similar to Cloe tile, so the machine made version of Zellige tile.

Look at the reflection on the quartzite. Just way too much to look at every day! It wouldn't be that obvious if I hadn't purchased a box first, to test as many tiles as possible. I stick them on the wall with Quake Putty!

This was the worst glare, but I had similar issues with all the polished/glossy tiles I tested.

I ended up using this marble mosaic. The white marble is honed and the brown marble is polished.

I would try grouting a section first before removing them. Grout tends to leaves a bit of a haze on the surface (unless the installer really takes their time to clean them up) and that might be enough to cut down some of the shine. Worth a try before tearing out.

The tiles don't look bad ... just not what you had envisioned in your mind.

Another option is to live with them for a year and then if you still don't love them, or haven't grown to like them, then tear them out and start over.

Thanks Chispa, appreciate your thoughts and sharing what you ended up with. Glad you figured it out before you put it up, unlike me learning the hard way 🫣 Ended up taking it down, couldnt deal with the shiny blue, even after trying sanded grout in areas. So I’m on the hunt again, has anyone tried Cle’s collection: Fornace Brioni + Cristina Celestino | Cotto Bianco | Listello. Its an unglazed, unfinished terracotta. So it has to be sealed for my hood backsplash, but it seems to have texture and movement. I’m ordering about 5-10 samples of it to see the variety, but I wonder has anyone used it and does it change color after sealing? Also looking at honed travertine, limestone or maybe on the odd chance i find a similar marble slab to my countertops. Any suggestions im all ears! Pic after tile taken down. pic of the new Cle tole Im considering.

Did you end up using the cotto bianco? Could you post a photo?

I havent received the samples yet to seal. Once I have them, I’ll decide. Have you or anyone you know tried this collection?

I havent tried--still mulling over my options for bathroom....

The pictures on the website are stunning of the Cotto Bianco, and the way they’ve textured the terracotta gives it a ton of movement which I love, but it does have a creamy warm semi-pink tone to it, so it’s

not as white as i originally thought. I’m not at my home to see the true color in the room, so we’ll see once its in natural lighting how it plays. Clé didnt give me a great response if they actually show some sort of sheen (see pics on bathroom floor) but i think its the lighting because there is zero shine to it in my hands. TBD .. pls keep me posted which direction you go too 😌

@Scott Young did you notice any pink in the sea salt?

has anyone used the Riad Snow White? Curios if it has any pink?

I ordered white zellige tiles for my kitchen remodel from Cle. Many tiles were broken in half and glued back together!!! I had to send multiple pictures and documentation. They did reimburse me for tiles clearly broken in half and glued, yet some of the glued tiles (glued chips and edges) they refused to reimburse, calling the breakage "irregular charm". Glued!!! - looked like superglue to me. I did not have time or patience to reorder and made due with tile in a much smaller area of my kitchen than I had planned.