Emperador Dark Marble 18x18 Tile, Polished brings a couture touch to any space with its deep, luxurious tones and radiant, mirror-like finish. Each tile is carved from natural marble, delivering a one-of-a-kind pattern that shifts with light and perspective, ensuring your floors, walls, or accents feel exclusive and timeless. The polished surface reflects ambient light, enhancing brightness in entryways, living rooms, kitchens, and baths while showcasing the stone’s natural character.
What makes Emperador Dark Marble stand out
- Distinctive natural veining: no two tiles are identical. Expect subtle, elegant veins that traverse a rich dark field, creating depth and sophistication unmatched by synthetic surfaces.
- 18x18 tile size: a balanced footprint that minimizes grout lines for a cleaner, more expansive look—ideal for contemporary aesthetics or classic interiors.
- Polished finish: a high-gloss surface that amplifies color, adds a luxe sheen to walls and floors, and makes spaces feel more open and refined.
- Versatile interior application: suitable for floors, shower surrounds, backsplashes, and feature walls, offering cohesive design across multiple zones.
- Natural stone confidence: premium marble known for heritage appeal, offering enduring style that complements a wide range of materials—from warm wood tones to cool metals.
Ideal uses and design scenarios
- Grand foyers and living areas: install these tiles to create an immediate sense of luxury as soon as guests enter your home.
- Showers and bath walls: pair with an appropriate waterproofing system for a spa-like retreat that remains visually dramatic.
- Kitchens and islands: use as a bold countertop or backsplash material to elevate culinary spaces with a timeless glaze of elegance.
- Accent walls and alcoves: craft feature walls that become conversation pieces, drawing the eye with natural variation and shine.
- Renovations and new builds: a versatile stone choice that harmonizes with modern, transitional, and traditional palettes alike.
Color, pairing, and installation ideas
To maximize the beauty of Emperador Dark, consider pairing with neutral grouts in charcoal or biscuit tones to emphasize the veining without overpowering the stone. For a contemporary look, contrast the dark surface with lighter cabinetry and warm wood accents; for a classic ambiance, blend with cream or taupe palettes and brass fixtures. Because marble is a natural material, each tile will have its own character—embrace the subtle differences as part of the design narrative rather than a flaw.
Professional installation is recommended to ensure flatness and proper sealing. Use a high-quality, stone-specific thin-set mortar and a penetrating sealer to protect against staining while preserving the marble’s natural luster. Plan for appropriate expansion joints and consider a moisture-rated substrate when installing in wet areas like showers or damp rooms.
Care, maintenance, and longevity
- Sealing: apply a penetrating sealer after installation and re-seal periodically based on traffic and moisture exposure—usually every 1–3 years.
- Cleaning: use a pH-neutral stone cleaner or a mild, non-acidic soap with warm water. Wipe spills promptly to prevent staining.
- Stain and scratch awareness: marble is a porous natural stone; avoid acidic acids (like citrus or vinegar) and abrasive cleaners. Use felt pads under furniture and avoid dragging heavy objects across the surface.
- Longevity: with proper sealing and routine care, the polished Emperador Dark Marble 18x18 tiles maintain their reflective sheen and dramatic presence for years, aging gracefully rather than requiring frequent replacement.
Who benefits most from Emperador Dark Marble 18x18 Tile, Polished
This tile is ideal for homeowners and designers seeking a statement piece that remains versatile over time. It suits modern minimalist spaces craving a touch of opulence, traditional interiors seeking warmth and depth, and renovation projects where a single material can unify multiple rooms. It’s a compelling choice for those who value both aesthetic drama and the sense of authenticity that only natural marble can provide.
Emperador Dark Marble 18x18 Tile, Polished offers a refined centerpiece for interiors that want to feel curated and enduring. If you’re envisioning a space that balances grandeur with practicality, this polished marble tile delivers both the look you crave and the tangible feel of a heritage material—ready to elevate your design from bold to timeless.
Installation Guidelines
The owner or owner’s representative is responsible for determining the acceptability of the product prior to installation. All Installations should be done by a professional tile installer.
1. Measuring: Measure coverage area, make sure to purchase at least 10% extra material than is required. This will account for any breakage or mis-cuts during installation, and ensure you have extra material should you have to replace any tile elements in the future.
2. Verifying Dye Lot Consistency: The owner or end user is responsible for determining the acceptability of the product. Due to the handmade, artistic nature of our product, variation in color, shade, tone, and size is normal.
- Upon delivery, open and inspect each box of tile.
- Verify dye lot consistency in the following manner. To establish color control samples, randomlyselect 5 pieces from your order from different boxes.
- To assure shade variations are acceptable check, the remaining sheets or field tile in your order againstthe control samples, prior to installation.
- If ordering additional materials. Sample shall be sent to help attempt to match previously orderedmaterial.
3. Setting Material: Because of the translucent nature of glass, the color of the bonding material will impact the ultimate look of the tile. We highly recommend the use of white polymer modified white thin-set.
Acceptable Thin-Sets (White Color):
- CUSTOM BUILDING PRODUCTS: Premium Glass Tile Thin-Set Mortar
- BOSTIK: Glass-MateTM GLASS TILE MORTAR
- BOSTIK: ReFlex Ultra-Premium Latex Modified Thin-Set Mortar
- LATICRETE: Glass Tile Adhesive
- MAPEI: Adesilex P10 Bright White Thin-Set Mortar mixed With Keraply Mortar Additive
- TEC SPECIALTY PRODUCTS: Super Flex Premium Performance Universal Latex-Modified Thin-Set Mortar
Acceptable Grout:
- Custom Building Products Grout : Polyblend Sanded Grout
- Bostik: Dimensions & TruColor
- HYDROMENT: Sanded Tile Grout
- LATICRETE: 1500 Sanded Grout
- MAPEI: Keracolor S
- TEC: AccuColor Premium Sanded Tile Grout
4. Cutting: Plan the placement of the tiles on your wall prior to installation. If you need to cut a mosaic sheet, cut from the back using a utility knife between tiles along the grout joints. Should you need to cut across tiles in a fashion that is not possible with a utility knife, use a wet saw with a diamond blade to cut through the tile.
5. Drilling: Using a drill bit designed for glass is recommended. When drilling the hole, keep the bit and hole lubricated to prevent chipping. Start by drilling from both ends of the tile, starting with the back and drilling half the depth of the tile. Then, turn the tile over and complete the hole is recommended. This will prevent the glass from chipping as the drill bit exits the tile.
6. Applying Setting Materials:
Apply setting material using the notched side of a V-notched trowel. Using the flat side of the trowels, smooth out all ridges to achieve a consistent, even 1/8” (3mm) coverage.
- Apply glass mosaic sheets, mesh -side down, firmly into freshly laid setting material. Mix and match from assorted sell units to achieve consistent variation. Using a rubber grout float gently press the tile into adhesive to ensure complete contact.
- Natural Stone should be sealed prior to grouting. A premium penetrating sealer is recommended for a natural look. Please refer to sealer manufacturer’s recommendations for application instructions.
7. Cleaning: Clean all excess grout immediately with a damp sponge. After 12 hours polish off any remaining haze with a dry cloth or towel. For tough stains, we require the use of PH Neutral cleaner to clean the tile and grout, such as Grout & Tile neutral cleaner.
Maintenance & Care
Required to use a soft bristle brush to scrub the tile surfaces and grout. Take care to only use a soft bristle brush, to avoid the chance of scratching or damaging the grout. Then, simply wipe the surface, rinse well with clean water, and dry with a soft clean towel.
Required to use PH Neutral Cleaner to clean the tile and grout, such as Grout & Tile Neutral Cleaner
Maintenance, Care & Cleaning (Marble and Natural Stone Products)
Cleaning marble surfaces requires gentle care as they are easily scratched and can be damaged by acidic substances.
1. **Regular Cleaning**: Dust the surface regularly with a soft, dry cloth. For a more thorough clean, use a damp cloth and a little mild soap. Make sure you thoroughly rinse the surface after to remove any soap residue and dry it with a soft towel to prevent water spots.
2. **Deep Cleaning**: You can buy a pH-neutral stone cleaner specifically designed for marble. Dilute the cleaner according to the instructions, then apply it to the marble. Use a soft, damp cloth or sponge to clean the surface. Rinite with clean water and wipe dry.
3. **Stain Removal**: If there's a stain, try to identify what caused it, as different types of stains require different treatments. In general, a poultice made from baking soda and water can help lift the stain. Apply the poultice to the stain, cover with plastic wrap, and leave it overnight. Clean off the poultice with water the next day and pat dry.
Remember not to use vinegar, lemon juice, or other cleaners containing acid on marble surfaces, as they can etch the marble surface. Also, avoid using abrasive cleaners or tools that might scratch the marble. It's always a good idea to test any cleaning method on a small, inconspicuous area first to ensure it doesn't damage the marble.
We strongly recommend customers to use a licensed tile contractor to do the tile installation and always use TCNA tile installation handbook as the installation guidance