Athena Cielo Rodas Smearato 12×24 Porcelain Tile Polished Rectified
Elevate contemporary spaces with Happy Floors’ Athena Cielo “Rodas Smearato,” a polished porcelain in a versatile 12×24 format. The luminous surface amplifies light and highlights the collection’s refined character, while rectified edges enable tight, consistent joints for a sleek, continuous look on walls or coordinated floors.
Engineered in durable porcelain at 9.5mm (3/8") thick with a PEI 3 wear rating, Athena Cielo balances design impact with everyday practicality. Its frost-resistant body supports freeze–thaw exterior wall applications when properly installed, expanding your design options beyond interiors.
Use it as a clean, modern foundation or pair it with complementary materials to create layered detail across feature walls, backsplashes, and select dry-area residential floors.
Features
- Porcelain body for durability and easy care
- Collection/Color: Athena – Cielo (Rodas Smearato)
- Finish: Polished
- Edge: Rectified for precise, narrow grout joints
- Size: 12×24 format
- Thickness: 3/8" (9.5mm)
- PEI 3 wear rating for residential use
- Frost resistant (freeze–thaw)
- Coverage: 11.62 sq. ft. per box | 6 pieces per box | approx. 1.94 sq. ft. per piece
Recommended Applications
- Residential interior floors (dry areas)
- Residential interior walls
- Commercial interior walls
- Backsplashes
- Shower walls
- Fireplace surrounds
- Exterior walls/facades (freeze–thaw)
Installation Guide – Athena Cielo Rodas Smearato 12×24 Porcelain Tile Polished Rectified
Important Advisory
Always follow the tile manufacturer’s instructions, local building codes, and recognized industry standards (e.g., ANSI A108/A118 and TCNA guidelines). Verify substrate suitability, movement accommodation, and waterproofing/drainage where required.
Step 1: Layout & Planning
- Confirm the substrate is clean, dry, structurally sound, and flat within industry tolerances for large-format tile such as 12×24.
- Plan the layout by dry-laying tiles; center the design and avoid sliver cuts at perimeters or focal areas.
- Blend tiles from multiple boxes to evenly distribute any shade or pattern variation.
- Select a joint width appropriate for rectified tile and the pattern; include movement joints per TCNA EJ171.
Step 2: Tile Installation
- Use a polymer-modified thin-set mortar approved for porcelain and large-format tiles, suitable for the specific substrate and environment.
- Key mortar into the substrate, then comb with an appropriate notched trowel; back-butter tiles as needed to improve coverage.
- Set tiles with a slight back-and-forth motion to collapse ridges and achieve proper bond. Meet coverage requirements per application (e.g., higher coverage for wet or exterior areas).
- Use leveling aids where appropriate to help minimize lippage with large-format installations.
- Allow mortar to cure per manufacturer instructions before grouting or allowing traffic.
Step 3: Cutting
- Cut with a wet saw using a premium diamond blade designed for porcelain.
- Mark and support cuts carefully to reduce chipping; ease sharp edges as needed at exposed transitions.
- Protect the polished surface from scratching during handling and fabrication.
Step 4: Joint Filling
- Choose a grout suitable for porcelain and the selected joint width; follow manufacturer directions for mixing, application, and cure times.
- Pack joints fully with a rubber float; clean diagonally and remove haze promptly with clean water.
- Use appropriate sealant at movement joints and changes of plane; do not grout these areas.
- Protect the installation from traffic until grout has cured per manufacturer guidance.
Step 5: Cleaning & Maintenance
- Clean routinely with a pH-neutral cleaner formulated for porcelain tile; avoid acids, bleach, or abrasive pads—especially on polished surfaces.
- Use entry mats and felt pads under furnishings to minimize tracked grit and scratching on floors.
- Follow grout manufacturer maintenance guidance; reseal cementitious grout if recommended.
Disclaimer
Installation should be performed by qualified professionals. Confirm actual materials, lot-to-lot variations, and suitability for the intended application before installation. Stone Market USA is not responsible for issues arising from improper installation, handling, or site conditions.
