Is Moroccan natural suitable for your project?

Over the years, of course, different variations have emerged. For example, the square Zellige is actually more of a western shape, in Morocco they themselves prefer the small shape or “Mosaic” in different shapes and colours. Entire streets are still decorated with this!
The tile that we call “Natural” is actually a tile that is not glazed. It is literally a piece of clay that has dried in the sun. The Natural tile is often used in Morocco together with the green brick, the Bejmat Vert Foncee . The colors really match beautifully!

Since natural tones are totally “on trend” in the Netherlands, the unglazed color has not gone unnoticed. The natural tile from Designtegels is popular! But because the tile is not glazed, there are a number of important points you should know before you use this tile:

1. Untreated = sensitive to all stains! The tile is not sealed. The piece of clay absorbs all possible moisture and dirt that it encounters. And you can't get this out. In Morocco, they don't find this a problem. The natural character is emphasized even more. Do you find this a problem? Then we advise against the tile in your home.
2. In which room are you going to place the tile? As indicated in point 1, we do not recommend placing the tile in a room where there is a lot of dirt or moisture. Also, the tile is not waterproof because it is not glazed. So do not place it in your shower room!
3. Are you going to place the Naturel tile on the floor? The Bejmat and Platta are suitable for this. We do recommend impregnating them. You then spread an extra layer on top of the clay, so that dirt and grime are less likely to penetrate. This can be done with Stain stop and Tile oil . Please note: The tile oil makes the tile more yellow, think of the colour of oil. Read in the steps below how much you should apply in which room.
4. Are you going to place the Zellige, Bejmat or Platta tile against the wall? And is it in a place where not much dirt gets, such as the wall in the hall or behind the stove, then it is sufficient to treat the tile with only Vlekstop. As a kitchen wall or behind the bathroom furniture we still advise to use oil, but this is not a must.

How much impregnating agent do you need to impregnate the Natural tile?

This remains very difficult for us to estimate. Because the tile absorbs a lot, it depends on the thickness of the tile and which impregnation agent you are going to use.
For the thick (floor) tiles Bejmat and Platta we recommend: 1 litre per 5 m2, per impregnating agent.
The Zellige are thin, and therefore absorb less. For this we recommend 1 liter per 7 m2, per impregnation agent. After placing and before impregnating, always clean the tiles first with Azule cement veil remover , so that the white lime haze from the glue, joint and extra lime disappears from the tile before you impregnate it and can no longer remove it afterwards. You do this with a scouring sponge, hard scrubbing is sometimes necessary!
Always ask us for advice. Since every project, space and tile is different, we always try to find a suitable solution together.

An alternative to the Natural tile is the Piedra Biscuit or Tan tile . This has the looks of the Moroccan Natural tile but is ceramic and not sensitive to stains or dirt.