Zellige Tile vs Terracotta Tile: 6 Differences Before You Buy

Zellige tile and terracotta tile are both fired clay, but they are not the same product. Terracotta is usually left unglazed, so it is porous, matte and needs sealing in nearly every room. Zellige is terracotta with a hand-applied glaze, which gives it a glossy, light-catching surface that resists stains far better and needs much less upkeep. If you want a rustic, earthy floor and accept regular sealing, choose terracotta. If you want the same handmade clay character on walls, backsplashes and showers with easier care, choose zellige.

Below are the six differences that matter, a side-by-side table, and a straight verdict on which fits your project.

In this article

• Is zellige the same as terracotta?
• Zellige vs terracotta at a glance
• Which one needs more sealing and care?
• How do the two look different?
• Which costs more?
• Which is better for floors?
• Zellige or terracotta: which should you choose?
• FAQ

Is Zellige the Same as Terracotta?

Not quite, but they are close relatives. Both start with natural clay shaped and fired in a kiln. Traditional terracotta, such as Saltillo or Spanish floor tile, is typically sold unglazed, so you see the raw fired clay in its orange and red tones.

Zellige takes that clay body and adds a hand-poured glaze before a second firing. Handtile's zellige is chiseled and glazed by artisans in Fes, Morocco, so each piece differs slightly in size, edge and color. You can read the full background in our guide to what zellige tile is.

Zellige vs Terracotta Tile at a Glance

Which One Needs More Sealing and Care?

Terracotta, by a wide margin. Unglazed clay soaks up oil, water and wine, so most installers seal it before grouting and again afterward, then reseal on a schedule. Skip it in a kitchen and the first splash of olive oil can leave a permanent dark mark.

Zellige's glaze does most of that work for you. Everyday cleaning is a pH-neutral cleaner and a soft cloth. Details on when sealing still applies are in our post on whether zellige tiles need to be sealed, and our guide to cleaning zellige without damaging the glaze covers the rest.

How Do Zellige and Terracotta Look Different?

Terracotta reads as warm, matte and rustic. The color range is narrow: orange, rust, brown and the occasional cream. The look is classic Mediterranean and southwestern.

Zellige is the more flexible of the two. The glaze pools unevenly, so the surface shifts in tone through the day, and the palette runs from soft whites to deep greens, blues and black. If you love terracotta warmth but want a glaze, our terracotta zellige shade gives you the color without the porous surface.

Which Costs More, Zellige or Terracotta?

Machine-made terracotta floor tile is often cheaper per square foot than handmade zellige, and prices vary widely by size, finish and origin. Handtile's zellige is $19.62 per square foot, shipped from our US warehouse. The better comparison is lifetime cost: terracotta adds sealer, wax and reapplication over the years, while a glazed surface keeps maintenance close to a wipe-down.

For a full pricing breakdown, see how much zellige tile costs.

Which Is Better for Floors?

Terracotta is the traditional floor tile, and it works well in dry, low-splash areas when sealed. Zellige can go on floors too, but choose the right format: the thicker bejmat is the one made for floors, installed with a wider grout joint and sealed for wet areas. Our guide to using zellige on the floor and our explainer on what bejmat tile is cover the details.

For walls, backsplashes and showers, glazed zellige is the easier choice, since a glazed face handles water, steam and cooking splatter without constant resealing.

Zellige or Terracotta: Which Should You Choose?

Choose terracotta for a rustic entryway, patio or dry floor where you like a raw, matte surface and do not mind a sealing routine.

Choose zellige for kitchens, bathrooms, showers and feature walls, or any room where you want handmade clay character with a protected surface and a wider range of colors. Designers and contractors specifying for client projects can also use our Trade Program.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is zellige tile terracotta?

Zellige is made from natural clay like terracotta, but it is hand-glazed and kiln-fired a second time, which gives it a glossy, protective surface that unglazed terracotta does not have.

Is zellige more durable than terracotta?

The glaze makes zellige more stain resistant and easier to maintain. Both are clay, so both can chip if struck on an edge, and neither is indestructible.

Does terracotta tile need to be sealed?

Unglazed terracotta is porous and is normally sealed before and after grouting, then resealed periodically. Glazed zellige needs far less.

Can I use terracotta and zellige together?

Yes. A terracotta floor with a glazed zellige backsplash or wall is a classic pairing, and a warm glaze such as Terra picks up the floor tone.

Can zellige go on a floor like terracotta?

Yes, in the thicker bejmat format, with a wider grout joint and proper sealing in wet areas.

Which is better for a kitchen backsplash?

Zellige. The glazed surface handles grease, steam and splashes with a simple wipe.