Japandi Chevron Natural Wood-Look Tile Flooring

Japandi Tile Installation & Maintenance Guide

Tile Club’s Japandi Collection is a large-format porcelain tile line with a warm wood-look surface and modern decorative pieces. The collection pairs practical field formats with decorative options for coordinated walls, floors, backsplashes, showers, steam showers, and feature installations.

Japandi field tile, including chevrons and blanks, may be suitable for foot traffic when approved for the specific product. Some decorative pieces are not suitable for floor use, so each item should be checked before installation.

Because Japandi includes large-format porcelain and decorative finishes, slight color variation should be expected from piece to piece and from production run to production run.

Before beginning your project, please review the following recommendations and confirm the most current specifications, approved applications, and installation guidance.

1. Pre-Installation Inspection

Inspect Before Installation

Inspect all tile before installation. Installing the material confirms acceptance of the product’s appearance, color variation, texture, sizing, finish, edge condition, and overall quality.

Please contact Tile Club with any questions about product acceptability, visual variation, or suitability before installation begins.

Dry Layout Recommended

Lay out the tile before installation to review wood-look movement, chevron direction, decorative tile placement, shade variation, and overall finished appearance.

This step is especially important for Japandi because large-format porcelain, chevron layouts, blanks, and decorative pieces may each affect the final pattern.

Installation Responsibility

Tile Club is not responsible for improper installation, installation workmanship, or issues that occur after the material has been installed.

Final responsibility for proper installation rests with the installer and end user. Some porcelain tile surfaces may be susceptible to scratching during handling, installation, grouting, and use.

Slight color variation from one production run to another should be expected.

2. Recommended Applications

Japandi porcelain tile may be suitable for the following applications when confirmed for the specific product:

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  Interior walls
  
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  Interior floors, excluding some decorative tiles
  
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  Kitchen backsplashes
  
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  Bathroom backsplashes
  
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  Shower walls
  
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  Steam shower walls
  
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  Steam shower pans
  
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  Feature walls
  
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  Foot traffic areas, field tile only when approved
  

Important Usage Notes

Japandi field tile, including chevrons and blanks, may be suitable for foot traffic when approved for the specific product.

Some Japandi decorative tiles are not recommended for floor surfaces.

Japandi field and decorative tile are not recommended for swimming pool installations.

Suitability for high-traffic residential and commercial floors depends on the specific requirements of the space, footwear exposure, and the presence of water or other liquids. Consult a flooring specialist or qualified professional when evaluating Japandi tile for high-traffic floor applications.

Always refer to the applicable Tile Club product page and Product Specifications section to determine suitability for your desired installation. Some products may not be suitable for every application listed above.

For areas exposed to extreme temperatures, including fireplace hearths or areas behind cooktops, confirm suitability before installation.

For additional product or installation guidance, contact Tile Club Support at support@tileclub.com or 1-833-TILE-CLB (845-3252).

3. Installation Recommendations

Tile Club strongly recommends using a licensed tile professional familiar with current NTCA, ASTM, M.I.A., and ANSI installation standards.

Because Japandi includes large-format porcelain field tile, chevron formats, blanks, and decorative pieces, proper layout planning, substrate preparation, cutting, setting material selection, and grout cleanup are important for a successful finished result.

Surface Preparation

Install Japandi porcelain tile over a clean, sound, flat concrete or mortar substrate.

The installation surface must be free of contaminants or any condition that could compromise the bond of the tile.

For wet areas, including shower walls and steam shower installations, the substrate must be properly prepared and waterproofed according to current tile industry standards and setting material manufacturer instructions.

Cutting Recommendations

Use a high-quality, well-maintained wet saw with a diamond blade designed for cutting porcelain and ceramic materials.

A poorly maintained tile saw or improper blade may cause chipping during cutting. Cut slowly and carefully to help protect tile edges, wood-look surfaces, chevron pieces, and decorative finishes.

Grouting Considerations

Grout joints should be fully packed and free of voids and pits.

Clean excess grout from the surface while the grout is still fresh and before it hardens.

Textured or decorative surfaces may be more difficult to clean during grouting. A grout bagging process may provide better results when working with textured tiles.

Before grouting the full installation, test in a small area to confirm that the selected grout color is suitable and that the porcelain surface does not scratch, stain, or hold grout pigment during grouting.

4. Recommended Setting Materials

Use setting materials appropriate for large-format porcelain wall and floor tile installations.

Recommended Mortars

• 
  LATICRETE® 257 Titanium Thin-Set
  
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  LATICRETE® 254 Platinum Thin-Set
  
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  Or equivalent setting materials suitable for large-format porcelain wall and floor tile installations
  

Recommended Grout

• 
  LATICRETE® PERMACOLOR® Grout
  
• 
  Or equivalent high-performance grout suitable for porcelain tile
  

Always follow the setting material manufacturer’s instructions, coverage rates, cure times, trowel recommendations, and substrate requirements.

5. Care & Maintenance

Proper care will help preserve the intended appearance and performance of your Japandi porcelain tile installation.

Routine Cleaning

Clean the tile surface with:

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  Mild pH-neutral detergent cleaner
  
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  Damp sponge
  
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  Soft rag or cloth
  

Use gentle cleaning methods to help protect wood-look surfaces, decorative pieces, chevron formats, and grout.

Avoid Harsh Products

Do not use:

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  Acidic cleaners
  
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  Alkaline cleaners
  
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  Solvent-based cleaners
  
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  Abrasive cleaning products
  
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  Wax treatments
  
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  Bleach or cleaning solutions left sitting on the surface
  

These products may damage or discolor the porcelain surface, decorative finish, and grout.

Prompt Stain Removal

Do not allow stains, soap residue, or cleaning solutions to remain on the tile surface for extended periods.

Clean spills and residue promptly to help maintain the tile’s appearance.

Test Cleaners First

Always test any cleaning product in a small, inconspicuous area before using it across the full installation.

Acceptable cleaners for porcelain and delicate tile surfaces may be available through Tile Club or other tile dealers.

6. Product Performance & Technical Information

Japandi is a large-format porcelain field and decorative tile collection with wood-look and modern decorative formats. Product suitability may vary by item, format, finish, and installation area.

Always confirm approved use before beginning the project.

Product Details

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  Material Type: Porcelain tile
  
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  Format: Field tile, chevron tile, blanks, and decorative tile
  
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  Surface Character: Wood-look field tile with modern decorative pieces
  
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  Shade Variation: V3
  
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  Field Tile Use: Chevrons and blanks may be suitable for foot traffic when approved
  
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  Decorative Tile Use: Some decorative tiles are not recommended for floor surfaces
  
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  Swimming Pool Use: Not recommended
  
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  Grout Joints, Exterior: 3 mm where applicable
  
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  Grout Joints, Interior: 2 mm where applicable
  
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  Slip Resistance: R9, where listed for approved formats
  
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  Water Absorption, Field/Chevron Formats: <0.15%
  
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  Water Absorption, Select Decorative Formats: 12% < E < 18%
  
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  Breaking Strength: 3400N / 2900N / 1100N, depending on format
  
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  Thermal Shock Resistance: Resists
  
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  Frost Resistance: Resists
  
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  Stain Resistance: Class 5
  
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  Modulus of Rupture: 52 N/mm² / 49 N/mm² / 20 N/mm², depending on format
  
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  Crazing Resistance: Resists
  
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  Abrasion Resistance: <130 mm², where listed
  

Material Considerations

• 
  Porcelain tile should be installed with setting materials approved for porcelain applications.
  
• 
  Some decorative formats may have different technical values than field formats.
  
• 
  Some porcelain surfaces may be susceptible to scratching during handling, installation, grouting, or use.
  
• 
  Slight color variation from one production run to another should be expected.
  
• 
  Wood-look direction, chevron layout, and decorative placement should be reviewed during dry layout.
  
• 
  Textured or decorative surfaces may require extra care during grouting and cleaning.
  
• 
  Grout color should be tested before full installation.
  
• 
  Product-specific water absorption, DCOF, slip rating, and application suitability should be confirmed on the applicable Tile Club product page before installation.
  

For product-specific suitability, technical details, or installation questions, contact Tile Club Support before beginning the project.