Sand Valley 10" Honed Hexagon Tile

Sand Valley Tile Installation & Maintenance Guide

Tile Club’s Sand Valley Collection features decorative mosaic-format designs made primarily with Crystal Sand polished and honed marble. Select designs may also include additional accent marbles that add soft contrast, movement, and visual depth to the finished installation.

Because Sand Valley is 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 and beauty of the material.

When properly installed and maintained, Sand Valley marble mosaic tile may be suitable for approved walls, floors, backsplashes, showers, steam showers, and traffic-rated applications.

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, 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 mosaic sheets before installation to review marble variation, veining, color movement, accent stone placement, sheet alignment, and overall finished appearance.

This step is especially important for marble mosaics because natural stone variation affects the final look of the 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.

2. Recommended Applications

Sand Valley marble mosaic 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

Marble materials are not recommended for swimming pools or areas submerged in water.

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 potential surface hazards. Consult a flooring specialist or qualified professional when evaluating marble mosaic 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 Sand Valley is a natural stone mosaic collection, proper installation methods are essential. For specific questions or accepted industry standards, refer to the Natural Stone Institute.

Pre-Sealing Recommendations

Natural stone may vary in absorption.

Pre-sealing Sand Valley marble tile before installation is recommended to help prevent setting materials and grout from staining the stone surface.

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.

Always lay out the material before installation to confirm that the appearance meets the desired result.

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 marble edges and surface.

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.

When grouting dimensional materials, a grout bagging application process may provide better results and help reduce surface cleanup difficulty.

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 natural stone mosaic tile and the specific installation area.

Recommended Mortars

• 
  LATICRETE® Glass Tile Adhesive Mortar
  
• 
  LATICRETE® 220 Marble & Granite Mortar
  
• 
  Or equivalent setting materials suitable for natural stone mosaic 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 and surface character.

Routine Cleaning

Clean the mosaic surface with:

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

Use gentle cleaning methods to help protect the marble surface, accent stone details, 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 mosaic 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

Sand Valley is a decorative natural stone mosaic tile collection made primarily with Crystal Sand polished and honed marble. Select designs may include additional accent marbles that contribute to the collection’s color variation and decorative character.

Material Considerations

• 
  Material Type: Natural stone marble
  
• 
  Primary Stone: Crystal Sand marble
  
• 
  Finish Options: Polished and honed
  
• 
  Possible Accent Materials: Additional accent marbles, depending on the design
  
• 
  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
  
• 
  Pool/Submerged Use: Marble materials are not recommended for swimming pools or submerged areas
  
• 
  Traffic Suitability: Light, medium, or heavy foot traffic suitability depends on the specific product and installation conditions
  
• 
  Dimensional Materials: Grout bagging may be recommended for easier cleanup
  
• 
  Cutting: Use a wet saw with a diamond blade designed for stone materials
  
• 
  Surface Sensitivity: Test grout and cleaning products before full application
  
• 
  Cleaning: Mild pH-neutral cleaners only
  

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