MSI Sovana Mocha 18" x 18" Matte Porcelain Floor & Wall Tile

Product Overview

MSI Sovana Mocha 18" x 18" Matte Porcelain Floor and Wall Tile captures the tailored beauty of traditional parquet flooring in an easy-care porcelain format. Each square tile features an interwoven geometric wood pattern framed by a refined rectangular border, producing the appearance of individually assembled wooden sections.

Rich mocha-brown tones and soft wood-grain variation bring warmth and natural character to kitchens, bathrooms, living areas, entryways, and residential feature walls. The lightly textured matte surface reinforces the realistic wood appearance while reducing glare.

Part of MSI’s Emerging Styles Collection, Sovana Mocha complements organic-modern, Japandi, contemporary rustic, mid-century, and warm transitional interiors.

Technical Specifications

Recommended Applications

• Living and Dining Rooms: Creates the warmth and craftsmanship of parquet wood flooring in a durable porcelain surface.

• Kitchen Floors: Adds rich brown color and geometric structure without the moisture sensitivity of natural hardwood.

• Bathroom Floors: Suitable for properly prepared interior bathroom floors, subject to project-specific slip requirements.

• Entryways and Hallways: The framed pattern establishes a tailored architectural rhythm through transitional spaces.

• Residential Feature Walls: Adds dimensional wood character to bedrooms, living rooms, fireplace features, and decorative accent walls.

• Light-Commercial Floors: Its PEI 3 rating supports appropriate boutiques, offices, hospitality spaces, and other light-traffic commercial interiors.

• Residential Countertops: MSI approves residential countertop use when installed over a suitable substrate with properly finished edges.

Installation and Handling Guidelines

⚠️ IMPORTANT: PLAN THE PARQUET PATTERN BEFORE INSTALLATION

Each tile contains a directional framed design. Dry-lay the material and determine the preferred orientation before applying mortar.

• Create a Layout Plan: Arrange several tiles together to understand how the interwoven sections and perimeter borders connect.

• Blend Multiple Cartons: Distribute the V2 tonal and wood-grain variation throughout the installation rather than installing one carton at a time.

• Inspect Before Setting: Confirm the product, color, caliber, finish, pattern direction, and quantity before installation.

• Substrate Preparation: Install over a clean, flat, dry, structurally stable substrate approved for porcelain tile.

• Mortar Selection: Use a polymer-modified mortar meeting ANSI A118.4 or A118.15 and approved for porcelain.

• Mortar Coverage: Directionally trowel the mortar and back-butter tiles when necessary. Obtain at least 80% coverage in dry interiors and 95% in wet locations.

• Grout Joint: Do not install the tiles edge-to-edge. Select a joint width that accommodates actual dimensional variation and installer requirements.

• Grout Color: Mocha, walnut, warm brown, or medium taupe grout helps visually integrate the joints with the printed parquet pattern.

• Wet Areas: Shower-wall and bathroom applications require a complete approved waterproofing system. Tile and grout do not replace waterproofing.

• Wet-Floor Caution: MSI does not publish a DCOF value on the current product page. Confirm project-specific slip requirements before using the tile in wet walking areas.

• Movement Accommodation: Include perimeter and field movement joints following TCNA EJ171 and applicable construction requirements.

• Interior Use Only: MSI does not approve Sovana Mocha for residential or commercial outdoor applications.

• Cutting Safety: Use wet-cutting or score-and-snap methods. Do not dry-cut with power tools because airborne crystalline-silica dust can cause serious respiratory harm.

• Order Allowance: Add approximately 10–15% for straight installations and 15–20% for diagonal layouts, pattern alignment, cuts, and future repairs.

Care and Maintenance

• Sweep or vacuum regularly to prevent abrasive debris from accumulating.

• Clean with warm water and a neutral-pH porcelain tile cleaner.

• Avoid waxes, oily soaps, and film-forming products that may change the matte appearance.

• Use a soft nylon brush or non-abrasive pad to clean the lightly textured surface.

• Rinse away detergent residue thoroughly after cleaning.

• The porcelain surface normally does not require sealing. Cement-based grout may require sealing according to its manufacturer’s directions.

Shade and Pattern Variation

Sovana Mocha carries a V2 moderate-variation rating. Subtle differences in brown tone, wood-grain detail, and printed movement should be expected between individual tiles.

Open several cartons and approve the blended layout before installation. Particular attention should be given to the directional parquet pattern and framed border so the finished composition appears balanced and intentional.

Design Profile

• Aesthetic Inspiration: European parquet, organic modern, Japandi, mid-century modern, contemporary rustic, and warm transitional design.

• Color Character: Rich mocha brown with walnut, cocoa, toasted almond, and subtle wood-grain undertones.

• Pattern Character: Interwoven parquet sections enclosed by a structured rectangular border.

• Visual Advantage: The printed geometry creates the appearance of individually assembled wood pieces within a single porcelain tile.

• Complementary Materials: Cream limestone, ivory quartz, warm concrete, blackened steel, natural linen, leather, and plaster walls.

• Complementary Metals: Aged bronze, brushed brass, matte black, copper, and brushed nickel.

• Suggested Grout Colors: Mocha, walnut, warm brown, mushroom, or medium taupe.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Sovana Mocha a stone-look tile?

No. MSI identifies Sovana Mocha as a wood-look porcelain tile featuring a classic geometric parquet pattern.

What is the manufacturer’s item number?

The MSI item number is NWGSOVMOC1818.

What are the correct durability and variation ratings?

Sovana Mocha has a PEI 3 rating and a V2 shade-variation rating.

How much material is packaged in one box?

A standard carton contains five tiles covering approximately 10.98 square feet. Verify current packaging before ordering.

Can Sovana Mocha be installed on residential floors?

Yes. MSI approves it for residential flooring and appropriate light-commercial floor installations.

Can it be installed in heavy-commercial spaces?

No. MSI does not approve the tile for heavy-commercial flooring.

Can it be installed on commercial walls?

No. MSI’s current product specifications approve residential walls but not commercial wall applications.

Can it be installed outdoors?

No. MSI lists residential and commercial exterior applications as unsupported.

Does Sovana Mocha require sealing?

The porcelain surface normally does not require sealing. Cement-based grout may require a suitable grout sealer.

Will every tile look exactly the same?

No. Its V2 rating means moderate tonal and wood-grain differences should be expected. Blend tiles from several cartons before installation.