Dolce Vita Terrazzo | Torrone III | Grand Stout | Ferro | Honed

do i need to seal dolce vita terrazzo tiles?

for sealing dolce vita terrazzo tiles, clé recommends a 3-coat application of Stonetech Impregnator Pro Sealer from laticrete. An acceptable alternative is a 4-coat application Stonetech BulletProof Sealer from laticrete.

we recommended sealing the grout lines and tile surface in all applications of dolce vita terrazzo (dry and wet) as the final step of installation.

for more information about sealing please see our dolce vita terrazzo material guidelines.

do you offer trim for your dolce vita terrazzo tiles?
at clé we follow the international model of no trim and highly recommend our clients to do the same. below are the trim alternatives we recommend for this collection.
 - if your project needs to turn a corner either inwardly or outwardly, mitering the tiles to meet seamlessly in a corner gives it the cleanest, crafted finish.
 - a visible stone tile edge can be honed to make the side match the main surface of the tile.
 - if you have a painted surface next to your tile, you can choose to paint the outer edge of the tile to match the painted surface.
 - like with any of our tiles, you can also build out the sheetrock so that the surface of the finished sheetrock is flush with the surface of the tile.

for more detailed recommendations about trim, please see our trim guide.

how do i take care of my dolce vita terrazzo tiles?

mild pH neutral cleaners should be sufficient for most cleaning - test before general use. clean up spills immediately and use a damp mop to mop lightly soiled floors with a neutral cleaner. sand, dirt, and grit do the most damage to terrazzo surfaces due to their abrasiveness. interior wall installations can be cleaned with warm water and damp microfiber cloth. grout lines can be cleaned with warm water and a nonmetal bristled cleaning brush.

 see our dolce vita terrazzo material guidelines for more detailed cleaning advice.

are dolce vita terrazzo tiles UV resistant? how will my dolce vita terrazzo tiles age over time? 

dolce vita terrazzo tiles are not UV resistant and will fade over time from sun exposure. shades of green will fade faster than other colors.

over time, a natural patina will occur on floors as they are maintained and naturally wear creating a softer appearance in both color and character.

what type of finish should i expect with this collection?

 our dolce vita terrazzo tiles exhibit a honed, smooth surface.

what types and levels of variation and imperfections should i expect? 
with the dolce vita terrazzo collection you will find extreme color variation derived from natural aggregate set in a cement base. you can also expect to find slight texture and size variation in the tiles of your order. due to the heavy color and shade variations, it is very important to blend the tiles from all boxes once they arrive and place them in their installation area to ensure you have the layout you want before installing.

tiles may be exposed to moisture and/or condensation during production or shipping which may affect the color of the tiles once received.  setting tiles out to dry prior to installation will return return the color to normal. 

variation and imperfection ratings:
dolce vita terrazzo tiles are rated 'level 4 heavy' for color variation, 'level 1 smooth' for texture variation, and 'level 1 slight' for size variation.
see illustrations in the technical specifications section above, and read more about the ratings in our tile variation & imperfections guide. 

how will my dolce vita terrazzo samples compare to my actual order?
color and size variation from tile to tile, is to be expected given the handcrafted nature of the product. this makes it unlikely that your sample will be a perfect match with your actual order. 

please be aware that the kinds of stones you’ll find in each torrone of dolce vita terrazzo will be the same, but the proportion, color, and sizes of those stones can vary, making each tile utterly unique–and your wall or floor a work of art.

what should i expect with my order of dolce vita terrazzo?
 dolce vita terrazzo pieces come packed face to face and back to back. dust and shipping residue are to be expected and should be cleaned prior to installing. 

why do you suggest i order at least 15% more than my measurements?

industry standard suggests adding at least 15% overage due to tile cuts, potential breakage, or future repairs. for more information related to ordering and shipping, please be sure to visit our shipping and returns and delivery information resource pages.

clé recommends the use of a 1/16" grout joint with this collection.

clé recommends using mortar and sanded cementitious grout or pointing mortar that comply with the ansi a118 or iso 13007 classifications suitable for your project. please consult with your installation professional to make these determinations.

clé is often asked for our opinion on best grout selections for our tiles. and due to the large array of grout colors that are now available, clé would like to offer this general guideline on a foolproof grout color selection for any of your clé tiles.

first, have your professional tile contractor complete your tile installation, except for the grout portion.

next, when ready to grout, ask your contractor to bring ALL grout color charts from his preferred grout manufacturers, for your review.

lastly, choose a time of day when you are most pleased with the lighting in your space (either natural lighting, installed lighting or a blend of both). during that lighting and time of day, select the grout color that best matches your tile selection.

for more information about grouting please see our dolce vita terrazzo material guidelines.