Installation Guide – Iceberg 0.75" Penny Honed Marble Mosaic Tile

Material Notes

• Natural Iceberg white marble with a honed (matte) finish.
• Penny-round chips, approx. 0.75" (3/4") diameter, factory-spaced and typically mesh-mounted on ≈12"×12" sheets (some lots may be paper-faced).
• Ideal for walls, backsplashes, shower surrounds, and light-traffic residential floors. Numerous grout joints add traction.

Step 1: Surface Preparation

• Substrate must be clean, dry, sound, and flat (≤ 1/8" in 10′). Skim/patch as needed—mosaics telegraph unevenness.
• Approved substrates: cement backer board, properly cured concrete, or mortar bed meeting ANSI standards.
• Wet areas: install an ANSI A118.10 waterproofing membrane; shower floors require a 1/4" per foot slope to the drain.
• Because the stone is very light, always use white setting materials to prevent shadowing/picture-framing.

Step 2: Dry Layout & Sheet Planning

• Blend sheets from multiple boxes to distribute subtle shade/vein variation.
• Snap level/plumb reference lines. Plan balanced perimeter cuts (keep partial pennies ≥ 1/2 where possible).
• Hide the sheet grid: rotate every other sheet 90°–180°, trim mesh edges to interlock, and stagger seams so the sheet pattern disappears.
• Use wedge spacers between sheets to maintain factory spacing; do not stretch/compress sheets.

Step 3: Adhesive (White Thin-Set) Application

Adhesive:

• White, polymer-modified thin-set for natural stone (ANSI A118.4/A118.15). Avoid premixed mastics, especially in wet zones.

Trowel & Technique:

• Use a 3/16" V-notch (or 1/4"×3/16" V-notch) on flat substrates.
• Key in mortar with the flat side, comb in one direction, then lightly flatten the ridges so they don’t telegraph through the small round chips.
• Work in areas you can cover within 10–15 minutes to avoid skinning; in wet areas aim for ≥95% coverage (≥80% dry areas).

Step 4: Setting the Sheets

• Place sheets to your layout lines and press/iron with a rubber grout float or beating block for full contact and a uniform plane.
• Check alignment across seams; back-butter individual pennies as needed to correct plane. Adjust immediately if lippage occurs.
• Maintain factory joint spacing—do not butt-joint. Clean squeeze-through thin-set from joints and faces right away with a barely damp sponge/microfiber.
• If paper-faced: set paper out, beat in, lightly wet paper after initial grab (≈10–20 min), remove paper, then true up joints.

Step 5: Cutting & Detailing

• Use a wet saw with a continuous-rim diamond blade for marble; painter’s tape on the cut line minimizes chip-out.
• For tiny notches, use mosaic nippers sparingly; dress exposed cuts with a rubbing stone.
• Terminate cleanly with stone trims, metal profiles, or matching moldings where edges are exposed.

Step 6: Grouting (Honed Marble)

• Allow thin-set to cure (typically 24 hours).
• For joints ≤ 1/8", use unsanded grout. For ~1/8"–3/16", a fine-aggregate, marble-safe grout may be used—test first to confirm no abrasion.
• On white marble, consider a marble-safe grout release or pre-seal to reduce pigment uptake; light-neutral grout gives a soft, uniform look.
• Pack diagonally with a rubber float, forcing grout into the curved edges; clean with minimal water to avoid washout or shading.

Step 7: Sealing

• After grout cures (≈72 hours), apply a penetrating, breathable sealer approved for marble and grout (choose natural-look to preserve the honed finish).
• Re-seal periodically based on exposure (e.g., every 1–2 years in wet/high-use areas).

Maintenance

• Clean only with pH-neutral, non-abrasive stone cleaners; avoid acids, vinegar, bleach, or abrasive pads (marble can etch).
• In showers, squeegee/wipe dry after use to limit mineral deposits; use marble-safe scale removers if needed.

Movement Joints

• Honor structural/expansion joints and provide soft joints per TCNA EJ171 at perimeters and changes of plane.
• Use 100% silicone (stone-safe) in corners and where the mosaic meets dissimilar materials.

Important Notes & Disclaimer

• Iceberg is very light—always use white thin-set; avoid grey/dark adhesives to prevent shadowing.
• Blend sheets before setting; minor size/thickness tolerances are typical of penny mosaics.
• Stonemarket USA is not responsible for substrate issues or improper installation. Professional installation is recommended.