What kind of handmade tile is it? "Hand made tile"is a broad term. The glazes, the bodies, all can be different. And "Zellige" is a term used that isn't always accurate. More info please.

We are currently looking at Cleo’s zellige tile in sea salt.

Cle”

Cle tile IS very porous. That's true, however, if it is recommeded for showers by the manufacturer AND installed correctly, following all manufacturer instructions, discoloration should not be a problem. The shower must be properly prepped underneath the tile as well. That said, all handmade tile should be installed by a very experienced tile installer for the best result. It is imperfect, and that is part of the allure for some, but it can be more difficult to install. I would not insist on a tile that your contractor is not comfortable with. I should also mention that our industry has had problems with quality and service from Cle. There are other Zellige tile makers but just make sure you have a contractor with the experience and confidence to install it correctly.

dragonfly, do you have a other Zellige tile makers you would recommend? Thanks!

Interesting article in the New York Times which is about current trends for hand fired tiles including Zellige style

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/10/style/ceramic-tiles-home-decor.html?searchResultPosition=2

Ann Sacks makes a porcelain tile, Ashmont, that mimics Zellige tile -- Ashmont in "Bianco" would be the closest color to Cle Seasalt. This would be less porous; however, there would still be a lot of grout between tiles because of the irregular shape. The uneven surface of either tile would still create a glossy look. I prefer having a smooth surface on shower walls -- easier to keep clean.

I used a handmade ceramic tile, Pratt&Larson, on my kitchen backsplash. When I called and asked about using it for a shower wall, they advised against it. Is there another wall, outside, the shower, where you can use the Zellige tile?

Seneca Tile, hand made right here in Ohio, fired in a real beehive style kiln, is a beautiful handmade tile with varigation in color like the Cle tile has. They offer a lot of sizes and shapes, including those hard-to-get trim pieces. I have not had the chance to use them, but some folks here who have have said they were far less expensive than other handmade tiles. See it on Instagram or on their Website. They recommend sealing when used in the shower. You might want to read their tech page.