Marble

Our marble is quarried in regions with a long-established history of extracting and refining architectural stone, across Spain and Italy. Italy, in particular, has shaped the global standard for marble through centuries of use in landmarks such as the Duomo and Michelangelo’s Statue of David.

Italy’s Carrara marble is recognized for its predominantly white field and subtle grey veining. Also quarried in Italy are golden Giallo Reale, grey Grigio Carnico, and rich Verde Alpi, while rust-toned Rosso Alicante and dark Nero Marquina are quarried in Spain. Each variety is cut and finished in Italy, intended to work as a solid or as part of a patterned set.

Zia's marble tiles are cut directly from solid stone blocks in Italy and Spain, then finished by skilled Italian stonemasons who preserve the integrity of the material. Honed marble creates a smooth, matte surface with a softer, architectural presence. Since marble forms through natural geological movement, no two tiles are ever identical in appearance. Mineral distribution and pressure patterns create variation in veining and tone that cannot be replicated, giving every installation a distinct composition.

Yes, marble tiles require consistent care to maintain their surface appearance and prevent staining. As a porous natural stone, marble needs to be sealed before and after grouting to preserve its surface and protect from staining. Use a penetrating sealer and apply a topcoat for interior applications. Reseal periodically based on traffic levels and exposure to water. Please reference our Marble Installation Guide for detailed installation and care instructions.

Use a soft cloth or mop with a pH-neutral cleaner specifically formulated for natural stone. Avoid acidic cleaners, such as vinegar or citrus-based solutions, and abrasive scrubbers or pads that can scratch or dull the tiles’ surface. For best results, wipe spills immediately to prevent absorption and staining. Consistent, gentle cleaning maintains the stone’s clarity and supports long-term durability.  Please reference our Marble Installation Guide for care instructions, or contact us at info@ziatile.com or 310‑844‑1170 with any questions.

Installing marble tile requires an eye for design and attention to detail. Prior to installation, all tile boxes should be opened, and tiles should be mixed and arranged in a dry layout to evenly balance all tonal variation and veining.  Back-butter each tile with a medium-bed thinset, and press it into place by hand only, using grout spacers to maintain even spacing throughout. Seal before grouting and allow full curing, then finish with a protective topcoat for interior applications or an additional coat of penetrating sealer for exterior use.

Working with thinset, sealants, and grout calls for protective face and eye coverings. Review the Proposition 65 warning before beginning any project.

For complete installation instructions, please refer to the Marble Installation Guide, or contact our team at info@ziatile.com or 310‑844‑1170 with any questions.

Marble tile is an enduring architectural material that will age beautifully when properly installed and maintained. A flat installation surface supports marble's stability and helps prevent premature cracking or shifting. Sealing before and after grouting protects the porous stone from moisture penetration and staining. For detailed installation and care instructions, refer to the Marble Installation Guide.

Marble has defined elegant bathrooms for centuries, making it a great choice for bathroom floors. Its veining brings a natural, organic element to both primary bathrooms and smaller powder rooms. Installation and care instructions should be carefully followed for the best results. For shower floors, slip resistance can be increased by widening the grout joint to a minimum of ⅛" and applying an anti-slip treatment after installation. Marble is also suitable for outdoor showers or exterior floor applications in non-freeze/thaw climates.

Grout color for marble tile depends on whether the grout lines are meant to blend with the design or provide contrast. A close color match keeps focus on the stone itself, letting the veining carry the visual weight of the installation. A contrasting grout defines each tile individually and gives the layout a more graphic, structured read.

Warmer stones tend to hold their tonal consistency best against a grout in the same warm register, while cooler stones read most cleanly against a neutral match. Use a stain-resistant grout formulated for natural stone to reduce staining risk, and avoid abrasive grout types that can scratch polished marble surfaces. Test the grout against the stone before full installation to confirm the choice aligns with the intended design.

Honed marble is ground to a smooth, matte surface that softens light rather than throwing it back, giving the stone a quieter, more architectural presence. Polished marble is buffed to a high gloss that deepens the veining's contrast and sends light straight across the room. Zia’s collection is honed, requiring sealing before and after grouting, and should be cleaned with pH-neutral products to keep that matte surface intact.

Marble tile and terrazzo tile both feature stone, but differ fundamentally in how they are produced and what defines their visual character. Marble is a naturally occurring metamorphic stone cut directly from solid blocks, with veining and mineral composition determined entirely by geological formation. No two marble tiles are identical because the variation is geological rather than designed. Terrazzo is a composite material produced by embedding crushed marble and stone aggregates into a poured cement base, hydraulically pressing the tile, and grinding the surface to reveal the aggregates.