Product Overview
Refin Prestigio Impero Soft Mosaic 12" x 12" Porcelain Sheet (30 cm x 30 cm) is a luxury Italian marble-look porcelain mosaic manufactured by Ceramiche Refin. Part of the high-end Prestigio series, the Imperocolorway replicates the sophisticated depth of classic Italian grey marble, featuring a rich graphite-to-medium grey background laced with refined white micro-veining and crystalline stone detailing.
The Soft finish offers a smooth, semi-honed satin feel with low reflectivity, balancing velvety tactile elegance with dependable foot safety. Arranged as square or linear mosaic tesserae mounted on a flexible 12" x 12" mesh backing, this sheet provides inherent slip resistance, making it an ideal solution for walk-in shower floors, vanity backsplashes, and decorative accents.
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) |
| Sheet Size |
12" x 12" (~30 cm x 30 cm / 1 Sq. Ft. per Sheet) |
Fiberglass Mesh Backed Mosaic Sheet |
| Surface Finish |
Soft (Satin-Honed / Smooth Semi-Matte) |
Low Reflectivity / Velvety Tactile Texture |
| Thickness |
Approx. 3/8" (9.0 mm / 9.5 mm) |
High-Density Structural Body |
| Material Type |
Fine Vitrified Italian Porcelain Stoneware |
Impervious High-Density Ceramic |
| Water Absorption |
≤ 0.05% (Impervious) |
ISO 10545-3 / ASTM C373 |
| Slip Resistance |
High Traction (Grid joints + Soft satin finish) |
Ideal for Wet Walk-In Shower Floors |
| Applications |
Walk-In Shower Floors, Shampoo Niches, Vanity Backsplashes, Accent Stripes, Residential & Commercial Wet Zones |
Interior Floors & Vertical Wall Areas |
Recommended Applications
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Curbless Walk-In Shower Floors: The frequent grout lines of the mosaic grid combine with the non-glare Soft satin glaze to offer superior wet-foot safety and traction on sloped shower pans.
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Shampoo Niches & Vanity Backdrops: Delivers a refined dark-grey marble backdrop inside shower niches, tub surrounds, and behind bathroom vanity mirrors.
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Decorative Inlay Borders: Works exceptionally well as a decorative feature band framing larger 24x48 or 30x60 Refin Prestigio field slabs on main floors or shower walls.
Installation & Handling Guidelines
⚠️ CRITICAL WARNING: MESH-BACKED MOSAIC PROTOCOL
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Thinset Mortar Selection: Set using a high-performance, polymer-modified thinset specified for porcelain mosaic sheets (ANSI A118.4 or ANSI A118.15 like MAPEI® Ultraflex 2 White or LATICRETE® 254 Platinum White). White thinset prevents darkening of thin grout channels.
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Tamping & Sheet Leveling: After placing each 12x12 sheet into the wet thinset bed, tap gently using a flat rubber grout float to align tesserae chips evenly and eliminate seam lines between adjacent sheets.
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Grout Selection: Use a fine-aggregate or non-sanded high-performance grout (such as MAPEI® Ultracolor Plus FA in Warm Gray or Charcoal) to fill joints cleanly without scratching the semi-honed Soft surface.
Professional Recommendations
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Dry Lay & Vein Blending: Unbox and dry-lay mosaic sheets prior to final setting to randomize grey shading and white veining details evenly across the installation area.
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Shower Pan Slope: The flexible 12" x 12" fiberglass mesh backing easily contours to multi-directional compound slopes toward central point drains or linear trench drains.
Care & Maintenance
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Routine Cleaning: Clean easily using warm water and a neutral pH porcelain cleaner. The smooth Soft surface resists soap scum, water spots, and foot traffic marks.
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100% Acid & Stain Proof: Impervious vitrified porcelain (< 0.05% absorption) protects against cosmetic acids, hair dyes, oils, and household cleaning chemicals.
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Zero Sealing Required: Unlike natural grey marble (e.g., Bardiglio or Pietra Grey), glazed Italian porcelain is non-porous and requires no topical sealers, waxes, or re-polishing treatments 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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Visual Pairing: Pairs seamlessly with polished nickel, chrome, or matte black plumbing fixtures, warm white or natural oak millwork, and crisp white or light grey quartz countertops.
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System Cohesion: Designed to coordinate directly with large-format Refin Prestigio Impero field tiles(such as 24x48, 30x60, and 48x48) in both Lucido (Polished) and Soft (Satin) finishes.
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 traction for floors and shower pans. The Lucido finish is a brilliant, mirror-like polished surface designed to maximize light reflection on walls and low-moisture floors.
Can Refin Prestigio Impero Soft Mosaic be used on shower floors?
Yes! In fact, it is an ideal choice for shower floors. The combination of the smooth satin finish and the frequent grout lines of the 12x12 mosaic grid offers certified slip resistance for wet shower pans.
Does this marble-look mosaic tile require sealing?
No. Vitrified porcelain from Ceramiche Refin is non-porous (< 0.05% absorption) and never requires sealers or topical waxes over its lifespan.
