Before you begin

Unpacking and preparing your tiles

- Check all boxes for signs of damage during shipping. If anything is wrong, contact us right away so we can help resolve it.
- The MVS tiles are individually hand-glazed, resulting in rich natural variation. Blending tiles from several boxes ensures a balanced and organic surface.
- These are ideal for cuts at edges, corners, or less visible areas.
- Our handmade MVS tiles carry a natural tolerance of 2–3 mm in both size and thickness — this is not a flaw but a feature of true artisanal tilework.

Installation guidelines

For a refined and lasting finish

- Ensure the substrate is clean, dry, level, and fully cured before you begin.
- Due to the natural thickness variation of the tiles, plan for 1.5–2× more tile adhesive or thinset than usual.
- Use a flexible, high-quality tile adhesive. A 10–12 mm notched trowel is typically ideal for application.
- Treat the installation like a mosaic. Place each tile by hand, rotating and adjusting as needed to achieve the best fit and surface flow.
- Install with very tight joints (approx. 1 mm) for the most refined and elegant finish — true to traditional Moroccan technique.
- Immerse tiles in clean water for 5 minutes before installation to prevent premature absorption of moisture from the adhesive. Allow them to drip dry briefly before setting in place.
- Use a traditional tile cutter or wet saw for clean, accurate edges, especially on visible cuts.

A note on character

Because Tiles by Muller Van Severen is not mass-produced, slight inconsistencies and visible craftsmanship are not only expected — they are celebrated. This is a tile that rewards patience, attention to detail, and a respect for tradition. With the right approach, your finished surface will have unmatched depth, texture, and personality. Tiles by Muller Van Severen is a highly artisanal product. Dimensional tolerances of 2–3 mm are a natural part of its handcrafted quality.

Grouting

Unlike standard ceramic or porcelain tiles, zellige are traditionally installed without grout between the joints. This close placement accentuates their hand-cut edges and results in a fluid, uninterrupted surface. Once installation is complete, we recommend the following steps:

- Install tiles edge-to-edge, with no grout between them. This preserves the authentic appearance and celebrates the tile’s organic variation.
- Apply a grout coat after installation using a colour matched to the tile.

Spread the grout over the surface to fill tiny gaps, pinholes, or natural pits that occur in handcrafted tile. This improves durability and ease of maintenance.

After grouting, clean the tiles with a damp sponge and, once dry, gently polish with a soft, dry cloth.

Why the right grout colour matters

The grout colour you choose for your tiles has a significant impact on the final result:

- A tonal match blends seamlessly with the tile, allowing the surface to read as one unified expression. This is especially important for soft, earthy tones where contrast can disrupt the overall visual harmony.
- A grout colour that’s too dark or too light may emphasize natural variations or imperfections and can create a grid-like effect that detracts from the subtlety of the tiles.
- Blēo recommends choosing a grout that disappears into the tile — allowing the colour, texture, and light-reflective surface to take center stage.