Product Overview
Refin Prestigio Impero Soft 12" x 24" Porcelain Tile (30 cm x 60 cm) is a fine Italian marble-look porcelain field tile manufactured by Ceramiche Refin. Belonging to the Prestigio collection, the Impero colorway captures the visual depth of premium Italian grey marble—featuring a rich graphite-to-charcoal grey matrix laced with crisp white micro-veining and intricate mineral structure.
Finished in Refin's non-reflective Soft (Satin/Honed) texture, this 12x24 rectangular format offers a velvety feel with low sheen glare. It delivers high design versatility across interior floors, full-height shower walls, kitchen backsplashes, and commercial accent spaces.
Technical Specifications
| Technical Property |
Value / Specification |
Standard / Compliance |
| Manufacturer / Brand |
Ceramiche Refin (Italy) |
Premium Italian Fine Porcelain |
| Collection / Series |
Prestigio Collection |
Italian Marble-Look Fine Stoneware |
| Colorway |
Impero (Rich Graphite & Medium Grey with White Veining) |
Moderate Organic Variation (V2) |
| Nominal Format |
12" x 24" (~30 cm x 60 cm) |
Rectified Standard Rectangular Field Tile |
| Thickness |
Approx. 3/8" (9.0 mm / 9.5 mm) |
High-Density Structural Body |
| Surface Finish |
Soft (Satin-Honed / Smooth Semi-Matte) |
Low Reflectivity / Velvety Tactile Texture |
| Edge Detail |
Precision Rectified Edges |
Allows Micro-Grout Joints (1/8") |
| Material Type |
Fine Vitrified Italian Porcelain Stoneware |
Impervious High-Density Ceramic |
| Water Absorption |
≤ 0.05% (Impervious) |
ISO 10545-3 / ASTM C373 |
| Slip Resistance |
Soft Finish (R10 / DCOF ≥ 0.42) |
ANSI A137.1 / DIN 51130 |
| Applications |
Shower Walls, Bathroom & Main Living Floors, Kitchen Backsplashes, Feature Walls, Commercial Spaces |
Interior Floors & Vertical Wall Surfaces |
Recommended Applications
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Shower Walls & Master Bathroom Floors: The Soft satin finish offers comfortable foot traction for wet bathroom floors while creating a dramatic, dark-marble statement as full-height vertical shower tiles.
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Kitchen Backsplashes & Feature Walls: Ideal for installation behind kitchen counters or on focal accent walls. Vitrified porcelain will not etch or absorb oil, citrus juices, or household cooking acids.
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Herringbone & Staggered Wall Layouts: The 1:2 aspect ratio makes it ideal for dynamic layout patterns like 45-degree herringbone, vertical stack, or staggered running bond.
Installation & Handling Guidelines
⚠️ CRITICAL WARNING: INSTALLATION & LAYOUT PROTOCOL
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Thinset Mortar Selection: Set using a high-performance, polymer-modified thinset specified for porcelain tile (ANSI A118.4 or ANSI A118.15 such as MAPEI® Ultraflex 2 or LATICRETE® 254 Platinum).
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Running Bond Offset Rule: When laying 12" x 24" tiles in a staggered running bond layout, TCNA standards recommend offsetting joints by no more than 33% (approx. 8 inches) rather than a 50% brick bond to minimize natural tile bow lippage.
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Rectified Micro-Grout Lines: Because the edges are precision-rectified, tiles can be set with tight 1/8" grout joints.
Professional Recommendations
Care & Maintenance
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Routine Cleaning: Damp mop easily using warm water and a neutral pH porcelain cleaner. The smooth Soft surface resists soap scum, dirt, and water spots.
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100% Stain & Acid Proof: Impervious vitrified porcelain body (< 0.05% water absorption) protects against deep staining from wine, oils, cosmetics, and household chemicals.
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Zero Sealing Required: Unlike natural grey marble (such as Bardiglio or Pietra Grey), glazed Italian porcelain requires no topical sealers, waxes, or impregnators over its lifespan.
Design Profile
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Aesthetic Inspiration: Italian Architectural Luxury, Modern Urban Spa, Contemporary Minimalist, High-Contrast Monolithic Design.
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Popular Layout Patterns:
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33% Staggered Running Bond: Classic rectangular layout for floors and walls.
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Herringbone: Set at a 45-degree angle for dramatic geometric impact on feature walls and backsplashes.
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Vertical Stack: Modern, linear grid orientation that draws the eye upward to elevate ceiling heights.
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System Integration: Coordinates directly with Refin Prestigio Impero 24x48, 30x60, and 48x48 field slabs, as well as companion 12x12 Soft Mosaics and Lucido (Polished) finishes within the series.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Refin Prestigio Soft and Lucido finishes?
The Soft finish is a semi-honed, satin-feel surface with low reflectivity that provides better foot traction for floors and shower areas. The Lucido finish is a brilliant, mirror-like polished surface designed to maximize light reflection on walls and low-moisture floors.
Is Refin Prestigio Impero Soft 12x24 suitable for shower floors?
While suitable for main bathroom floors, standard shower pans with central point drains typically require smaller mosaics to conform to multi-directional slopes. However, 12x24 tiles work exceptionally well on shower floors utilizing linear trench drains.
Does this marble-look porcelain tile require sealers?
No. Vitrified porcelain from Ceramiche Refin is non-porous (< 0.05% absorption) and never requires sealers or topical waxes.
