Tribeca Mixed Planks For Wall

Tribeca Tile Installation & Maintenance Guide

Tile Club’s Tribeca Collection is a porcelain tile line with a distressed wood-look surface and coordinating decorative options. Its plank-style formats bring warmth and texture to approved walls, floors, backsplashes, showers, shower pans, and feature installations.

Because Tribeca is made from porcelain, it is designed for stronger performance than standard ceramic in approved floor and wet-area applications. Product suitability may still vary by format, finish, and installation area, especially for mixed plank designs.

Tribeca includes textured and distressed surfaces, so 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 variation, plank direction, decorative tile placement, mixed plank alignment, color blend, and overall finished appearance.

This step is especially important for distressed wood-look porcelain tile because direction, shade variation, and pattern placement can affect the final 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 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

Tribeca 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
  
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  Kitchen backsplashes
  
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  Bathroom backsplashes
  
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  Feature walls
  
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  Shower walls
  
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  Shower pans
  
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  Light foot traffic areas
  
• 
  Heavy foot traffic areas
  

Important Usage Notes

Tribeca field tile may be suitable for light and heavy foot traffic when approved for the specific product.

Tribeca field tile is not recommended for swimming pool installations.

Tribeca mixed planks are not recommended for:

• 
  Floor installations
  
• 
  Shower pans
  
• 
  Swimming pool installations
  

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 Tribeca is a porcelain collection with distressed wood-look surfaces and decorative formats, proper layout planning, substrate preparation, cutting, setting material selection, and grout cleanup are important for a successful finished result.

Surface Preparation

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

The installation surface must be free of dust, oil, curing compounds, sealers, cracks, and any other contaminants or conditions that could compromise the bond of the tile.

For wet areas, including shower walls and approved shower pans, 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 porcelain tile.

A poorly maintained tile saw or improper blade may cause chipping during cutting. Cut slowly and carefully to help protect tile edges, distressed surface detail, and decorative pieces.

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.

Distressed and textured porcelain 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 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 porcelain wall and floor tile installations
  

Recommended Grout

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  LATICRETE® PERMACOLOR® Grout
  
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  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 Tribeca porcelain tile installation.

Routine Cleaning

Clean the tile surface with:

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

Use gentle cleaning methods to help protect the distressed wood-look surface, decorative tile, 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 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

Tribeca is a porcelain field and decorative tile collection with a distressed wood-look surface. Product suitability may vary by item, format, and installation area.

Always confirm approved use before beginning the project.

Product Details

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  Material Type: Porcelain
  
• 
  Surface Character: Distressed wood-look finish
  
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  Available Formats: Field tile, mixed plank formats, and coordinating decorative tile
  
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  Manufacturing Process: Single firing
  
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  Average Thickness: 11
  
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  Field Tile Use: Suitable for light and heavy foot traffic when approved
  
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  Mixed Plank Use: Not recommended for floors, shower pans, or swimming pools
  
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  Shower Wall Use: Suitable when approved for the specific product
  
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  Shower Pan Use: Suitable for approved field tile formats only
  
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  Swimming Pool Use: Not recommended
  
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  Modulus of Rupture: >15 N/mm²
  
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  Scratch Hardness According to Mohs: PND
  
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  Resistance to Abrasion: Class PND
  
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  Resistance to Thermal Shock: PND / NPD
  
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  Cracking Resistance: It stands the test
  
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  Frost Resistance: PND / NPD
  
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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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  Resistance to Slip: PND / PND / PND / PND
  

Testing Standards Referenced

• 
  Dimensions and Surface Quality: UNE-EN ISO 10545-2:1998
  
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  Modulus of Rupture: UNE-EN ISO 10545:4 1997
  
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  Scratch Hardness According to Mohs: EN101:1991 / 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
  
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  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
  
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  Slip Resistance: UNE-ENV 12633:2003, DIN 51130:2010, DIN 51097:1992, DCOF ANSI A137.1-2012
  

Material Considerations

• 
  Porcelain tile should be installed with setting materials approved for porcelain applications.
  
• 
  Some distressed 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.
  
• 
  Textured or distressed surfaces may require extra care during grouting and cleaning.
  
• 
  Grout color should be tested before full installation.
  
• 
  Field tile, decorative tile, and mixed plank formats should be reviewed during dry layout before installation begins.
  
• 
  Product-specific water absorption, DCOF, 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.