Ionic Herringbone White Porcelain Mosaic Tile

Ionic Tile Installation & Maintenance Guide

Tile Club’s Ionic Collection is a large-format, single-fired porcelain tile line with coordinating field, decorative, and mosaic options. The decorative pieces feature a glistening finish, while the matching field tile supports a clean, coordinated installation.

Ionic is designed for practical and decorative use in approved interior walls, floors, backsplashes, shower walls, and feature walls. Field tile may be suitable for foot traffic when approved, while decorative tile is not recommended for floor surfaces.

Because Ionic includes decorative finishes and multiple formats, 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, and overall condition.

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 color, surface finish, decorative placement, field tile coordination, mosaic layout, shade variation, and overall finished appearance.

This step is especially important when combining field tile, decorative tile, and mosaic formats in the same installation.

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 tile surfaces may be susceptible to scratching during handling, installation, and use.

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

2. Recommended Applications

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

• 
  Interior walls
  
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  Interior floors, field tile only when approved
  
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  Kitchen backsplashes
  
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  Bathroom backsplashes
  
• 
  Shower walls
  
• 
  Feature walls
  
• 
  Foot traffic areas, field tile only when approved
  

Important Usage Notes

Ionic field tile may be suitable for foot traffic when approved for the specific product.

Ionic decorative tile is not recommended for floor surfaces.

Do not assume suitability for exterior installations, shower pans, steam showers, swimming pools, or submerged areas unless the specific Tile Club product page confirms that use.

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 Ionic includes large-format porcelain field tile, decorative pieces, and mosaic formats, proper substrate preparation, cutting, grout selection, and cleaning during installation are important for a successful finished result.

Surface Preparation

Install 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.

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 the tile edges, decorative finish, and surface texture.

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 tile surface does not scratch during grouting.

4. Recommended Setting Materials

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

Recommended Mortars

• 
  LATICRETE® 257 Titanium Thin-Set
  
• 
  LATICRETE® 254 Platinum Thin-Set
  
• 
  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, and substrate requirements.

5. Care & Maintenance

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

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 field tile, decorative surfaces, mosaic pieces, 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 tile 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, ceramic, and delicate surfaces may be available through Tile Club or other tile dealers.

6. Product Performance & Technical Information

Ionic is a large-format, single-fired porcelain tile collection with coordinating field, decorative, and mosaic options. The decorative pieces feature a glistening finish designed for approved wall and feature installations.

Product characteristics may vary by field, decorative, or mosaic tile type. Always confirm suitability for the specific product and installation area before beginning the project.

Product Details

• 
  Material Type: Porcelain
  
• 
  Format: Field tile, decorative tile, and mosaic options
  
• 
  Surface Character: Glistening decorative finish with matching field tile
  
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  Manufacturing Process: Single firing
  
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  Average Thickness: 11.3
  
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  Field Tile Use: Suitable for foot traffic when approved
  
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  Decorative Tile Use: Not recommended for floor surfaces
  
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  Water Absorption: <0.5
  
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  Modulus of Rupture: >40 N/mm²
  
• 
  Scratch Hardness According to Mohs: 6
  
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  Resistance to Abrasion: Class 3
  
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  Resistance to Thermal Shock: It stands the test
  
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  Cracking Resistance: It stands the test
  
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  Frost Resistance: It stands the test
  
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  Stain Resistance: Class 5
  
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  Resistance to Cleaning Products and Chemical Products for Swimming Pools: Class GA
  
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  Resistance to Soft and Strong Alkalis and Acids: GHA / GLA
  
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  Slip Resistance: C1 / R9 / 0.58
  

Testing Standards Referenced

• 
  Dimensions and Surface Quality: UNE-EN ISO 10545-2:1998
  
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  Water Absorption: UNE-EN ISO 10545-3:1997
  
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  Modulus of Rupture: UNE-EN ISO 10545:4 1997
  
• 
  Scratch Hardness According to Mohs: EN 101:1991 / UNE 67101
  
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  Resistance to Abrasion: UNE-EN ISO 10545-7:1999
  
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  Resistance to Thermal Shock: UNE-EN ISO 10545-9:1997
  
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  Cracking Resistance: UNE-EN ISO 10545-11:1994
  
• 
  Frost Resistance: UNE-EN ISO 10545-11:1994
  
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  Stain Resistance: UNE-EN ISO 10545-14:1998
  
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  Chemical Resistance: UNE-EN ISO 10545-13:1998
  
• 
  Slip Resistance: UNE-ENV 12633:2003, DIN 51130:2010, DIN 51097:1992, DCOF ANSI A137.1-2012
  

Material Considerations

• 
  Some tile surfaces may be susceptible to scratching during handling, installation, and use.
  
• 
  Slight color variation from one production run to another should be expected.
  
• 
  Decorative surfaces may require extra care during grouting and cleaning.
  
• 
  Grout color should be tested before full installation.
  
• 
  Field tile, decorative tile, and mosaic formats should be included in the dry layout before installation begins.
  

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