The revival of the traditional Moroccan cement tile

Combining function with beauty, traditional handmade Moroccan cement tiles are once more back in fashion.

In the last few decades their use had noticeably declined in Marrakech riads in favour of other flooring such as zellij, bijmat and telissa, but recently, iconic designers such as Ashley Hicks and tiling specialists such as Walker Zanger and Ann Sacks have helped revive interest in traditional Moroccan cement tiles.

Moroccan cement tiling had certainly become dated and overlooked, but the recent trend of reviving authentic products has ensured they have been provided with a new relevance. Cement tiling has been updated with a modern twist and sophistication, and now it is not just riads that boast their decorative finesse, but also luxury homes, trendy boutiques, lavish spas and resorts, famed museums and top end restaurants all around the world.

These durable, colourful patterned tiles boast a curious number of names. For instance, cement tiles, hydraulic floor tiles, or encaustic tiles.

Cement tiles are not particular to Morocco, but traditional Moroccan cement tiles are unique and their use is widespread here due to their compatibility with riads and the bold statement they make.

Moroccan cement tiles seem to capture subtle movements in design, color and form. They are able to convey a deep sense of emotion wherever they are used and bring a space to life in a personal artistic expression.

Moroccan cement tiles are brightly colored and often intricately patterned, yet are made from simple materials, employing simple age-old techniques.

The fact that the tiles are eco-friendly is noteworthy. Each tile is hand-made by a master craftsman who creates them from locally sourced natural materials, none of which emit toxins, in a low energy production process.

Tiles are made in a simple hydraulic press then air-dried and sun cured, so very little energy is required to produce them.

The composite materials, often Portland cement, ground marble dust and natural earth pigments, are set in layers in a tile mold then pressed using a hydraulic press. Thereafter the tiles are removed and submerged in water to provide sufficient moisture content for the chemical reaction in concrete. The tiles are subsequently set out to dry and allowed to age for a short while so that they acquire an adequate hardness.

The end product is a tile three quarters of an inch thick. On one face is concrete, and on the other, its mosaic type design.

This mosaic face is a quarter of an inch thick, providing the tile with a great surface life. It is able to withstand adverse weather conditions and decades of traffic. It is therefore both durable and long lasting, which adds to its ecological credentials, and requires minimal maintenance.

The lovely matt finish and soft silky texture are characteristics that help make Moroccan cement tiles unique.

There’s a huge variety of patterns and colors available and now with specialist companies cropping up dedicated to a modern take on the traditional cement tile, such as Popham Design, there are numerous pattern and color options for pretty much every application you can think of.

Interestingly the durability of cement tiles means they are suitable for both indoor and outdoor uses. These range from kitchen splash-backs and floors, to bathroom floors and showers, pools, fountains, fireplaces, walls and wall cladding.

Hopefully the photos illustrate the wealth of colors and patterns available, as well as several classic tiling applications.

As can be seen Moroccan cement tiles are timeless and work beautifully in both traditional and contemporary interiors.

For the discriminating riad owner, light touches of tiling can truly help create a unique and individual look.