Can Zellige Tile Be Used Outdoors? A Durability and Sealing Guide

Yes, zellige and bejmat tile can be used outdoors, including on patios, pool surrounds, and outdoor walls, as long as the unglazed back and edges are sealed before and after installation and the tile is grouted correctly. Handtile's zellige carries an R10 slip rating and is fired clay with a glazed face, which makes it naturally water-resistant once properly sealed and grouted. The two things that actually determine whether an outdoor zellige installation lasts are sealing and slip safety, both covered below.

Is zellige tile durable enough for outdoor use?

Zellige is fired clay, the same basic material as terracotta and traditional brick, both of which have been used outdoors for centuries. The glazed face is hard and resists weathering well. The parts that need attention outdoors are the unglazed back and cut edges, which are more porous and can absorb water if left unsealed, leading to staining or, in freeze-thaw climates, cracking if moisture gets trapped and freezes inside the tile.

Bejmat, Handtile's rectangular brick-format tile, is used for floors, walls, and outdoor spaces for the same reason: it is fired the same way as zellige, just in a different shape.

How do I seal zellige tile for outdoor use?

Seal the unglazed portions of the tile, meaning the back and any cut edges, before installation and again after grouting. Handtile recommends a product like Lithofin MN Stain-Stop for this. In an outdoor setting exposed to rain, sun, and temperature swings, plan to re-seal periodically, the same way you would re-seal any natural stone or unglazed terracotta exposed to weather. Skipping the reseal is the most common reason an otherwise well-installed outdoor zellige surface stains or picks up mineral deposits over time.

Pair the sealant with a suitable grout. Handtile recommends Mapei UltraColor Plus FA in Light Almond, and cleaning with pH-neutral cleaners rather than harsh acidic or abrasive products, which can damage the glaze over time both indoors and out.

Outdoor use	Works with zellige/bejmat?	What to check
Covered patio wall or accent	Yes	Seal unglazed back/edges before and after install
Pool surround or wet deck	Yes	Slip rating (R10), sealing, and periodic re-sealing near standing water
Outdoor steps or low walls (bejmat)	Yes	Same sealing routine as walls; brick shape suits stair noses well
Freeze-thaw climates, unsealed installation	Not recommended	Unsealed tile can trap moisture that expands when frozen; seal before winter

Is zellige tile slippery outdoors?

Handtile's zellige has an R10 slip rating, a mid-level rating suitable for general walking surfaces including bathroom and outdoor use, though it is still a glazed surface, so it will be more slip-resistant than a highly polished tile but still requires normal caution around pools and wet decks, the way any glazed or natural stone surface would.

Frequently asked questions

Can zellige tile go around a pool?

Yes, with proper sealing of the unglazed portions and attention to the R10 slip rating for wet-deck safety. Reseal periodically since pool surrounds see constant moisture exposure.

Does outdoor zellige tile fade in the sun?

The glaze is fired at high heat and is generally stable in sunlight; the bigger long-term risk outdoors is moisture getting into unsealed edges, not UV fading of the glaze itself.

Can bejmat tile be used on outdoor steps?

Yes. Bejmat's brick format is commonly used for outdoor floors, steps, and low walls, following the same sealing and grouting steps as zellige.

What sealant does Handtile recommend for outdoor tile?

Lithofin MN Stain-Stop, applied to the unglazed back and edges before and after installation, with periodic reapplication in wet or exposed outdoor settings.

Will unsealed zellige survive a cold winter outdoors?

It is at risk. Unsealed, porous edges can absorb water that expands when it freezes, which can crack the tile over repeated freeze-thaw cycles. Seal before the tile goes outside for the season.