Is Marble Flooring Right for You?
Marble, quarried in mountainous regions around the world, has been a very popular building material for millennia.
Granite typically has a pebbly or spotted color pattern, while marble usually has a wavy veined pattern.
The Spruce / Christopher Lee Foto
Marble Flooring Cost
Marble tile floors are a premium architectural element, and they are priced accordingly.
Professional installation labor adds $3 to $7 per square foot.
Standing water can penetrate the stone and discolor it.
Unfortunately, the discoloration stains that come from these materials are usually permanent.
This can be prevented by applying a chemical penetrating sealer, as well as a surface sealer after installation.
But for optimal protection, the surface sealer needs to be reapplied annually.
Unfortunately, scratches cannot be easily repaired without replacing the damaged material entirely.
Tiles can also be cut into rectangles and triangles of varying sizes for create complex mosaic installations.
This look of sophistication and glamour evokes the highest sense of elegance in a space.
After the adhesive dries, the joints between the tiles are filled with a cementitious grout.
Although the techniques are similar to those for installing ceramic tile, DIY installation can be a tricky affair.
For these reasons, most people choose to have pros install marble flooring.
Radiant heating can eliminate one of the prime disadvantages of marble tileits coldness underfoot.
More important than the commercial brand of the company is thetypeof marble you are buying.
Honed marble is also much more scratch-resistant than polished marble.
Comfort and Convenience
When polished, marble can be a dangerously slick and slippery surface.
All stone and ceramic tile, including marble, is notoriously cold underfoot.
This can turn a normally cold flooring material into one that is wonderfully comfortable.
Whenever marble is installed, purchase at least one extra box of tiles and keep them in storage.
Be aware of its limitations before you spend the money on marble flooring.
A Guide to the Care & Cleaning of Natural Stone.
Marble Institute of America.
Marble: Characteristics, Uses And Problems.
U.S. General Services Administration.
