While marble is one of the most elegant flooring materials available, that does not mean that you can’t have it in your own home. Marble is more available than ever and can add a beautiful touch to any room.
The Popularity of Marble What is it about natural marble that people are so drawn to? Maybe it’s the timeless appearance, the fact that it’s not manmade, or simply that it stands out as an elegant addition to any home. Either way, there’s no denying its popularity when it comes to surface renovations, and this is especially true for the most used section of the house: your floors. In fact, the most high-end of products, marble flooring, has made a serious jump in terms of sales and installation.
Why Marble Floors? Marble adds instant value to a home, never needs replacing, and has that aged, European style that’s always fashionable. And though it was once rare and exotic, it’s now become much more accessible. For instance, it used to be imported only from Italy, but now it s mined throughout the entire world. It was once only available in giant slabs that required custom-fitting, but now marble tiles are available that are easily installed.
But this doesn’t mean marble still doesn’t retain its original value. It continues to have characteristics that people enjoy—the unique shades, the high polish, and the sophisticated sheen. It’s just that with tiles you have more options. You can now make interesting patterns and mosaics, buy any color to match any design style, or create other features in the home (backsplashes, fireplaces, or even countertops).
Types of Marble Flooring Veining: Small lines of color what gives this natural stone its unique look. In fact this veining affect is often referred to as “marbleized” when describing other items. Gloss or Honed: Goss is a highly polished version of the stone that makes it reflective and shiny while honed no-gloss variety that has a flat, matte, or satin finish. Tumbled: A process that distresses and ages the stone so it appears dulled. This soft look creates a milky, creamy color, making it seem buffed rather than glossy. The Drawbacks of Marble Flooring Though marble floors certainly add value to the home and have become more accessible, they’re still expensive (in the neighborhood of $6-10 per square foot). Therefore, it may be best to use it sparingly: install it in a foyer or entranceway as opposed to an entire kitchen. Also, there are imitation vinyl tiles available that may be a cheaper alternative.
Maintaining a Marble Floor Since marble is such a hard material, it’s virtually maintenance-free. However, depending on foot traffic, it may require occasional re-sealing—annually for a kitchen or bath, every two years of other areas. And no matter which style you prefer, it should be polished and buffed when it gets dull. Marble floors can feel a little cold, both literally and figuratively so you may want to put down some nice natural fiber rugs to warm things up. Marble is also porous, so will need to be cleaned regularly with a chlorine-free cleanser.
Marble is a Great Flooring Choice Even though marble flooring has its drawbacks, there is nothing you will find that is more beautiful or elegant than marble floors, not even hardwood floors. The good news is that if it is properly cared for it will last your entire lifetime and the lifetime of your children as well. The value and beauty marble adds to your home is certainly worth the cost of installation. When you receive visitors and they notice your lovely marble floors, their impression of you will be one of sophistication and class, and that in and of itself is priceless.
