Arabescato Corchia Deluxe 18" × 18" Italian Marble Tile

Product Overview

Arabescato Corchia Deluxe 18" × 18" × 3/8" Italian Marble Tile showcases one of Tuscany’s most expressive natural stones in a substantial square format. Quarried in Italy’s Apuan Alps, Arabescato Corchia is distinguished by luminous white and ivory marble formations surrounded by sweeping gray, charcoal, graphite, and occasional taupe veining.

Its dramatic brecciated structure creates web-like, circular, and clouded patterns that vary considerably from tile to tile. The 18-inch format displays larger sections of this natural movement while reducing the number of grout joints across floors and walls.

Available in polished and honed finishes, Arabescato Corchia Deluxe can produce either a reflective, high-contrast surface or a softer architectural appearance.

Technical Specifications

Finish Options

Polished

The polished finish intensifies the marble’s crystalline depth and the contrast between its luminous ivory formations and darker vein network. It is ideal for formal floors, statement walls, fireplace surrounds, foyers, and sophisticated bathroom installations.

Polished marble may become slippery when wet and requires careful evaluation before use on bathroom floors.

Honed

The honed finish creates a smooth, low-sheen surface that softens the stone’s contrast while preserving its dramatic brecciated structure. It works beautifully in contemporary bathrooms, residential floors, feature walls, and modern European interiors.

Recommended Applications

• Primary bathroom floors in dry and intermittently wet areas

• Full-height shower walls and tub surrounds

• Vanity walls and decorative wainscoting

• Foyers, entryways, and formal circulation spaces

• Living-room and dining-room floors

• Appropriate commercial interior floors

• Fireplace surrounds within required heat clearances

• Feature walls and architectural accents

• Checkerboard floors paired with a compatible contrasting marble

• Framed stone rugs and carefully planned vein layouts

For checkerboard installations, confirm that both stones have compatible thicknesses, dimensions, edge treatments, and calibration before ordering.

Installation and Handling Guidelines

Important: Dry Layout and Backing Inspection Required

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

• Inspect every tile for color, veining, finish, dimensions, edge condition, and backing construction before installation.

• Installation constitutes acceptance of the natural variation and physical characteristics.

• Open several cartons and blend tiles rather than installing one carton at a time.

• Photograph and number an approved dry layout when deliberate vein placement is required.

• Inspect the back of every tile for resin or mesh reinforcement.

• Resin-backed or mesh-reinforced stone may require epoxy adhesive or a manufacturer-approved primer and mortar system.

• Do not assume conventional cement mortar will bond properly to reinforced backing.

• Install over a clean, rigid, flat, and structurally sound substrate.

• Use premium white, nonstaining mortar specifically approved for natural marble.

• Gray mortar may shadow through lighter portions of the stone.

• Directionally trowel the mortar and back-butter each tile as necessary.

• Achieve at least 80% mortar coverage in dry interiors and 95% coverage in wet installations.

• Use a leveling system where appropriate to help control lippage.

• A grout joint of approximately 1/16" to 1/8" may be appropriate, depending on tile calibration and substrate conditions.

• Use unsanded grout or fine-aggregate grout approved for polished marble.

• Test grout on spare material to ensure it does not scratch or discolor the surface.

• Apply a penetrating natural-stone sealer before grouting.

• Install wet-area applications over a complete waterproofing system. Sealing the stone does not waterproof the installation.

• Incorporate perimeter, field, and change-of-plane movement joints according to TCNA EJ171.

• Wet-cut with a continuous-rim diamond blade designed for marble. Do not dry-cut because marble fabrication releases hazardous crystalline-silica dust.

• Order at least 15% additional material for standard installations and up to 20% for extensive vein selection, diagonal layouts, checkerboards, complicated cuts, or future replacement stock.

Shower-Floor Considerations

The 18" × 18" format is generally unsuitable for a conventional center-drain shower floor because a large rigid tile cannot easily conform to the multiple drainage slopes.

Use a coordinating smaller-format Arabescato mosaic for conventional shower pans. An 18-inch tile may only be considered with a specially engineered linear-drain configuration, appropriate slope, approved finish, and installer confirmation.

Natural-Stone Variation

Arabescato Corchia is defined by strong geological variation. Some tiles may contain large areas of luminous white or ivory, while others may display dense charcoal networks, fractured gray movement, taupe minerals, natural fissures, or strongly brecciated formations.

These variations are essential characteristics of the stone rather than manufacturing defects. Request current-lot photographs or samples and approve the full dry layout before installation.

Care and Maintenance

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

• Never use vinegar, lemon, acidic bathroom cleaners, or conventional mineral-deposit removers.

• Avoid abrasive powders, steel wool, stiff brushes, and aggressive scouring pads.

• Wipe up cosmetics, oils, coffee, wine, citrus, and strongly colored liquids promptly.

• Apply a penetrating natural-stone sealer before grouting.

• Periodically test the marble and reseal when moisture begins absorbing instead of remaining on the surface.

• Use nonstaining mats and felt furniture pads to reduce scratching and tracked grit.

• Temporary darkening can occur in wet natural-stone installations. Proper waterproofing, mortar coverage, drainage, and ventilation are essential.

• Expect polished floors to develop a natural patina in frequently traveled areas.

Design Profile

• Aesthetic: Italian classical luxury, modern Baroque, European contemporary, and high-contrast minimalism

• Color Character: Luminous white and ivory surrounded by gray, charcoal, graphite, and taupe movement

• Pattern Character: Dramatic brecciated formations with circular and web-like veining

• Polished Appearance: Glossy, crystalline, and strongly contrasted

• Honed Appearance: Smooth, low-sheen, and softly sculptural

• Layout Options: Straight grid, diagonal, checkerboard, framed stone rug, or deliberately mapped vein layout

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

• Complementary Materials: White oak, dark walnut, smoked glass, lacquer, and warm plaster

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

• Suggested Grout Colors: Bright white, ivory, pale gray, or soft silver

Dark or highly pigmented grout must be tested before installation because pigment may absorb into light marble.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Arabescato Corchia quarried?

Arabescato Corchia is quarried in the Apuan Alps of Tuscany, Italy, within the historic Carrara marble-producing region.

What makes Arabescato Corchia different from Carrara marble?

Carrara generally has softer, feathered linear veins. Arabescato Corchia has a much more dramatic brecciated structure, with dark mineral networks surrounding white and ivory marble formations.

How much area does one tile cover?

One nominal 18" × 18" tile covers approximately 2.25 square feet.

How thick is the tile?

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

Is the tile polished or honed?

The listing offers polished and honed finish options. Customers should select the desired finish before ordering.

Can it be installed on shower walls?

Yes. It is suitable for conventional shower walls when installed over an approved waterproofing system with compatible setting materials.

Can it be installed on a shower floor?

The 18" × 18" format is generally unsuitable for conventional center-drain shower pans. Use a coordinating smaller mosaic or an appropriately engineered linear-drain installation.

Why must the tile backing be inspected?

Some Arabescato Corchia tiles may have resin or mesh reinforcement. These surfaces can require epoxy adhesive or an approved primer system rather than conventional cement mortar.

Does Arabescato Corchia require sealing?

Yes. Seal the marble before grouting and reseal periodically based on absorption, use, and the sealer manufacturer’s instructions.

Will all tiles have matching veining?

No. Strong differences in vein density, direction, background color, and brecciated structure are expected. Dry-lay and blend the complete installation before setting.