Moroccan Black Star & White Cross Etched Marble Mosaic Tile

Moroccan and Babylon Tile Installation & Maintenance Guide

Tile Club’s Moroccan and Babylon tiles feature decorative polished and honed natural stone etched with intricate surface patterns. These designs are made for statement walls, floors, backsplashes, showers, steam showers, and other approved installations where patterned stone creates the focal point.

Because Moroccan and Babylon are made with natural stone, variation should be expected from piece to piece. Color shifts, veining, size differences, surface markings, blemishes, and chipped edges may be present. No two pieces are exactly identical, which adds to the natural character of the material.

These etched stone tiles require careful inspection, pre-sealing, proper cutting, tested grout application, and gentle maintenance.

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, veining, texture, etched pattern, 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 stone variation, pattern placement, etched surface details, color movement, and overall finished appearance.

This step is especially important for decorative etched stone because natural variation and pattern orientation can affect the final layout.

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.

2. Recommended Applications

Moroccan and Babylon decorative etched natural stone tile may be suitable for the following applications when confirmed for the specific product:

• 
  Interior walls
  
• 
  Exterior walls
  
• 
  Interior floors
  
• 
  Exterior floors
  
• 
  Kitchen backsplashes
  
• 
  Bathroom backsplashes
  
• 
  Shower walls
  
• 
  Shower floors
  
• 
  Steam showers
  
• 
  Light foot traffic areas
  
• 
  Medium foot traffic areas
  
• 
  Heavy foot traffic areas
  

Important Usage Notes

Moroccan and Babylon are not recommended for swimming pools or areas submerged in water for prolonged periods of time.

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 Moroccan and Babylon are natural stone products, proper installation methods are essential. For specific questions or accepted industry standards related to natural stone, refer to the Natural Stone Institute.

Pre-Sealing Recommendations

Natural stone may vary in absorption.

Pre-sealing Moroccan and Babylon tile before installation is recommended to help prevent setting materials and grout from staining the stone surface or settling into etched details.

Use a penetrating-type sealer designed to leave the material looking natural. Suggested sealer brands include, but are not limited to:

• 
  Dupont™ Stonetech® Professional Sealer
  
• 
  Aqua Mix
  

Always follow the sealer manufacturer’s instructions. Test the sealer in a small area before applying it to the full installation to confirm suitability and appearance.

Surface Preparation

Install stone 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.

Cutting Recommendations

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

A poorly maintained tile saw or improper blade may cause chipping during cutting. Cut slowly and carefully to help protect the stone edges, etched surface, and decorative pattern.

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.

Because etched surfaces may hold grout residue more easily, test grout color and cleanup method before grouting the full installation.

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

4. Recommended Setting Materials

Use setting materials appropriate for decorative natural stone tile and the specific installation area.

Recommended Mortars

• 
  LATICRETE® Glass Tile Adhesive Mortar
  
• 
  LATICRETE® 220 Marble & Granite Mortar
  
• 
  Or equivalent setting materials suitable for decorative natural stone tile
  

Recommended Grout

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

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

5. Care & Maintenance

Natural stone requires proper care to preserve its lasting beauty, etched pattern detail, and surface finish.

Routine Cleaning

Clean the tile surface with:

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

Use gentle cleaning methods to help protect the polished or honed stone surface, etched design, and grout.

Avoid Harsh Products

Do not use:

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

These products may damage or discolor the stone 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 natural stone surfaces may be available through Tile Club or other tile dealers.

6. Product Performance & Technical Information

Moroccan and Babylon are decorative etched natural stone tiles made with polished and honed stone surfaces.

The etched patterns are part of the intended design and may require extra care during sealing, grouting, cleaning, and maintenance.

Material Considerations

• 
  Material Type: Decorative etched natural stone tile
  
• 
  Finish Options: Polished and honed
  
• 
  Surface Character: Intricate etched pattern detail
  
• 
  Natural Variation: Color, veining, size, texture, blemishes, and chipped edges may vary from piece to piece
  
• 
  Sealing: Pre-sealing natural stone is recommended before installation
  
• 
  Recommended Sealer Type: Penetrating sealer that leaves the material looking natural
  
• 
  Pool/Submerged Use: Not recommended for swimming pools or prolonged submerged water exposure
  
• 
  Traffic Suitability: Light, medium, or heavy foot traffic suitability depends on the specific product and installation conditions
  
• 
  Cutting: Use a wet saw with a diamond blade designed for stone materials
  
• 
  Grout Testing: Test grout before full application to confirm color and surface compatibility
  
• 
  Cleaning: Mild pH-neutral cleaners only
  

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