Zellige Tile Often Contains Lead—Here's What to Know Before You Choose

Zellige tiles showcase vibrant movement, variation, and hand-crafted beauty. They bring dimension and deep, compelling color to bathrooms and kitchens, and have adorned spaces for centuries. However, they're also known for having lead in their glaze. Yes, those beautiful tiles could be hiding toxic material just below the surface. To determine exactly when and why lead may be present in zellige tiles, and whether they can still be used with confidence and safety, we consulted with the experts. Here's what they had to say.

What Is Zellige Tile?

Zellige tiles are traditional, handmade Moroccan tiles dating back to the tenth century. Each terracotta tile is handcrafted, featuring a signature glaze that highlights the beautiful imperfections from tile to tile. Once fired, they're glazed in various colors, adding to their distinctive design through varying depth and color.

Their instantly recognizable look is a result of the handcrafted nature of the tiles as well as the glaze that's used to give them their rich color. "That handmade process is what makes it unique. The surface isn’t perfectly flat, the glaze pools differently tile-to-tile, and it reflects light with a lot of depth and movement," says Lexie Saine, owner and principal at Lexie Saine Design.

Zellige tiles are most often found in richly saturated hues, and are cut into square and rectangular shapes that fit perfectly in bathrooms, on kitchen backsplashes, and on fireplace surrounds.

Do Zellige Tiles Have Lead in Them?

Traditionally, zellige tiles contain lead due to the glaze used in the firing process. These glazes result in the gorgeous, deeply saturated colors zellige tiles are known for, but that color comes with a downside. "Authentic, hand-fired zellige tiles are typically made with glazes that contain significant lead levels, sometimes exceeding 30,000 parts per million (ppm)," says Ariana Anderson, e-commerce manager at Tile Club.

However, not all zellige tiles contain lead. There are some modern versions that feature lead-free glazes. Still, you can't assume all modern zellige tiles are lead-free. As Saine explains, you need to request documentation. "Modern, more tightly controlled production is more likely to offer documented lead-free glazes," she says.

Traditional vs. Modern Zellige Glazes

Traditional zellige glazes nearly always include lead. Modern glazes, however, often have the option to be made lead-free. Typically, safety information is available on the tile to explain the level of lead that may be present.

While modern zellige tiles offer a safer and more affordable alternative to traditional zellige, Christina Pitcher, the co-founder of D Gilpin Properties, notes that they may not be as desirable, depending on the look you're aiming for within a space. "I favor natural and more organic finishes, so modern zellige doesn't really hold a candle to the traditional tiles for me," she says.

However, she notes that the variation from tile to tile in traditional zellige makes it more complicated to install. "Modern zellige doesn't have that same variation, so you don't have to be as particular with the way you're setting the tile. But you don't have that handmade, organic feel you get with traditional zellige," says Pitcher.

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How to Tell if Your Tiles Contain Lead

The easiest and most comprehensive way to determine if your zellige tiles contain lead is to request the safety data sheet (SDS), which should provide all information on their material make-up and certifications. There are also lead-testing kits available, though at-home testing should generally be presumed less accurate.

How to Use Zellige Tile Safely

Even if zellige tile has lead, as long as it's used in places where you're not eating directly from the tile, most designers and installers consider it safe. As long as it's not touching food or anything you're consuming, the lead should not be a risk.

"With most wall applications, including backsplashes, showers, and fireplaces, risk is generally low when you’re using a reputable supplier,” Saine explains. “But if a homeowner is worried, the best practice is to ask for documentation confirming lead-free glaze and/or third-party testing."

For the utmost caution, Anderson recommends looking for alternatives to zellige tile that have the same look, but without the risk of lead. Her top recommendation is a porcelain tile that has the same nuance and deep color as zellige, but without the glaze that traditionally contains lead.

What Should You Do if Zellige Tile Cracks?

The classic method of creating handcrafted tiles involves firing clay at a lower temperature than modern ceramics, making them more brittle and more likely to spall, which creates incredibly sharp shards, says Anderson. “The heavy metals in the glaze and the silica in the clay also add to the hazards of installing or removing these tiles,” she notes.

She recommends leaving any demolition of zellige tile to a professional, who will most likely use a wet method prior to demo. If you do come into contact with zellige tile during demolition, Anderson emphasizes the importance of using a proper respirator. Particularly with traditionally crafted zellige tile, there is a risk of lead exposure when there’s a crack within the tile.

"These risk factors are another reason that we love contemporary zellige-look ceramics. Modern techniques allow them to mimic the deep glazes and unique textures while offering a safer and more environmentally friendly design," says Anderson.

What Experts Recommend

If you'd like to be as safe as possible, Saine points out that you can use zellige tile if you've determined the glaze is lead-free. "From a safety standpoint, the 'safer' option is using a tile that is verified lead-free and tested, not necessarily what’s labeled traditional or modern," says Saine.

However, like with many things in life, considering the danger of lead in zellige tile comes down to determining your personal risk tolerance.

"As someone who is concerned about lead and toxins in general, zellige tile is something I don't sweat," says Christina Pitcher, co-founder of D Gilpin Properties. "My understanding is that the risk is highest during production and installation, and not necessarily for the end user."

That being said, Pitcher notes that she would use proper PPE if involved in installing zellige tile.