Product Overview

Arabescato Corchia Deluxe 18" x 18" x 3/8" Italian Marble Tile captures the dramatic brecciated movement of authentic Tuscan marble in a substantial square format. Quarried in Italy’s Apuan Alps, Arabescato Corchia is defined by luminous white-to-ivory marble formations surrounded by sweeping charcoal, graphite, dove-gray, and occasional taupe mineral veins.

The larger 18" x 18" format reveals more of the stone’s natural structure within each tile than smaller square formats. Reduced grout lines allow its circular, web-like, and clouded vein formations to flow more freely across bathroom walls, foyers, living areas, fireplace surrounds, and decorative architectural surfaces.

At approximately 3/8 inch thick, the tile maintains a manageable natural-stone profile while covering 2.25 square feet per piece. Polished finishes emphasize crystalline depth and contrast, while honed finishes offer a softer, satin appearance where available. Arabescato Corchia 18" x 18" specifications

Technical Specifications

Recommended Applications

• Primary Bathroom Floors: Creates a dramatic Italian marble surface in dry and intermittently wet bathroom areas.

• Full-Height Shower Walls: The larger square format reduces grout lines and displays more continuous brecciated movement.

• Foyers and Entryways: Introduces high-contrast European marble character across residential entrances and formal circulation spaces.

• Living-Area Floors: Suitable for residential and qualifying light-to-medium commercial interiors.

• Fireplace Surrounds: Frames fireplaces with expressive charcoal-gray veining and luminous white marble formations.

• Vanity and Feature Walls: Provides the visual impact of Arabescato slabs in a more manageable field-tile format.

• Checkerboard Floors: Pair with Nero Marquina, Bardiglio, or another calibrated 18" x 18" marble to create a bold traditional checkerboard. Confirm matching thickness, dimensions, and edge treatment before ordering.

Installation & Handling Guidelines

⚠️ IMPORTANT: DRY LAYOUT AND BACKING INSPECTION REQUIRED

Arabescato Corchia exhibits substantial natural variation. Dry-lay the complete installation before setting to balance white areas, dark vein networks, and heavily brecciated pieces.

Some Arabescato Corchia field tiles may have resin or mesh reinforcement on the back. These pieces can require an epoxy adhesive or an approved primer-and-mortar system. Inspect the tile backing and obtain setting-material manufacturer approval before installation.

• Inspect Before Installation: Review every tile for shade, vein distribution, dimensions, edge condition, finish, and backing construction. Installation constitutes acceptance.

• Dry-Lay and Blend: Open several cartons and arrange the tiles before setting. Blend predominantly white pieces with darker and more densely veined tiles.

• Mortar Selection: Use a premium white, nonstaining mortar approved for natural marble. Gray mortar may shadow through the lighter portions of the stone.

• Resin or Mesh Backing: If reinforcement is present, use a setting system specifically approved for resin-backed natural stone. Standard cement mortar may not bond adequately without preparation.

• Substrate Preparation: Install over a clean, rigid, flat, and properly prepared substrate. Wet areas require a complete waterproofing system.

• Back-Buttering: Use directional troweling and back-butter individual tiles to achieve consistent mortar transfer and eliminate unsupported voids.

• Grout Joint: A minimum approximately 1/16-inch joint may be possible with properly calibrated material, but the final joint must account for actual tile tolerances and substrate conditions.

• Grout Selection: Use unsanded or fine-aggregate grout approved for marble. Test it on spare material to ensure it does not scratch or discolor the surface.

• Pre-Sealing: Apply a penetrating natural-stone sealer and grout release before grouting, particularly when using contrasting grout colors.

• Movement Accommodation: Use flexible sealant at perimeters, inside corners, changes of plane, and other required movement locations.

• Cutting: Cut with a wet saw equipped with a continuous-rim diamond blade intended for marble.

• Waste Allowance: Order at least 15% additional material for standard installations and up to 20% where extensive vein selection, checkerboard matching, complicated cuts, or future replacement stock is needed.

Care & Maintenance

• Routine Cleaning: Clean with warm water and a neutral-pH cleaner formulated for natural marble.

• Avoid Acidic Products: Never use vinegar, lemon juice, acidic bathroom cleaners, or conventional mineral-deposit removers. Arabescato Corchia is highly acid-sensitive.

• Avoid Abrasives: Do not use steel wool, abrasive powders, stiff brushes, or aggressive scouring pads—especially on polished surfaces.

• Prompt Spill Removal: Wipe up cosmetics, oils, coffee, wine, citrus, and strongly colored liquids promptly.

• Periodic Resealing: Test the marble periodically and reseal when moisture begins absorbing instead of remaining on the surface.

• Floor Protection: Use nonstaining mats and felt pads beneath furniture to reduce scratching and tracked grit.

• Wet-Area Expectations: Temporary darkening or minor vein washout can occur in wet natural-stone installations. Waterproofing, correct mortar coverage, drainage, and ventilation are essential.

Design Profile

• Aesthetic Inspiration: Italian Classical Luxury, Modern Baroque, European Contemporary, High-Contrast Minimalism.

• Visual Advantage: The 18-inch square captures larger sections of the stone’s brecciated formations, giving the installation greater visual depth than smaller tiles.

• Layout Options: Straight grid, diagonal placement, checkerboard, framed stone rug, or carefully mapped vein composition.

• Complementary Marbles: Nero Marquina, Bardiglio Nuvolato, Thassos White, Bianco Dolomite, and Carrara Bianco.

• Complementary Metals: Polished chrome, brushed nickel, champagne bronze, antique brass, and matte black.

• Cabinetry Pairings: White oak, dark walnut, matte white, charcoal, navy, and lacquered black.

• Recommended Grout Colors: Bright white emphasizes the crystalline field; pale gray provides subtle definition; charcoal creates a dramatic grid but must be tested for pigment absorption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Arabescato Corchia different from standard Carrara marble?

Carrara typically has softer, feathered linear veins. Arabescato Corchia is more strongly brecciated, with bold gray or charcoal networks surrounding white marble formations.

How much area does one 18" x 18" tile cover?

Each tile covers approximately 2.25 square feet before allowing for cuts and waste.

How thick is the tile?

The tile is approximately 3/8 inch, or about 10 mm, thick.

Can it be installed on shower walls?

Yes. It is suitable for conventional shower walls when installed over an approved waterproofing system with compatible adhesive, grout, sealant, and movement joints.

Can an 18" x 18" tile be installed on a shower floor?

It is generally unsuitable for conventional center-drain shower pans because it cannot easily follow compound slopes. Use a coordinating Arabescato mosaic or an appropriately engineered linear-drain installation.

Why must the tile backing be inspected?

Some Arabescato Corchia tiles are reinforced with resin or mesh. These surfaces may require epoxy adhesive or an approved primer system rather than conventional thinset mortar.

Does Arabescato Corchia require sealing?

Yes. Seal it before grouting and periodically afterward with a penetrating sealer approved for natural marble.

Will all tiles have matching veining?

No. Arabescato Corchia carries strong V4 variation. Dry-lay and deliberately blend the tiles before installation.

Can this tile be used outdoors or in swimming pools?

It is generally recommended for interior applications and is not typically specified for exterior installations, pools, or fountains.