Marble Floors
March 13, 2011 by Robert Mccormack
Filed under Marble Floors
Marble Floors
Marble flooring has become a popular choice for those wishing to upgrade the appearance and value of their homes. This natural stone product, available in a variety of tones, is durable and can present a classy appearance. Marble tiles are also relatively easy to install, and if you are handy and enjoy working on your house, can be a good do-it-yourself project.
Basically, marble floors come in three overall appearances. First, there are traditional tiles, which have a shiny and polished finish. These generally look best in entryways, foyers, and corridors. Polished marble emphasizes the natural beauty of the stone, with the veins clearly outlined. However, polished marble is expensive to purchase and difficult to maintain. It scratches easily and can be slippery.
Second, marble tiles can be "honed," meaning they are not as deeply polished. The result is a muted, matte finish, rather than a high polish. Honed marble is more practical for high-traffic areas, as it is more resistant to stains and wear. However, the natural color and patterns of the stone do not come through as readily, and honed marble is highly porous.
And third, tiles can also be composed of "tumbled marble": the tiles are buffed instead of polished, and the appearance is beige or milky. This more natural look works better in larger spaces, such as kitchens or kitchen/dining areas. The overall look is more authentic; tumbled tiles have a soft texture and are more skid-resistant than polished marble. However, tumbled marble is the most susceptible to stains and wear.
Marble flooring also differs depending on where the original stone is quarried. One of the most famous marbles in the world is Cararra marble, which is quarried in Cararra, Italy. Cararra marble was used in ancient Greece and Rome for buildings and statuary; its color ranges from pure white to grayish with hints of blue, and it is prized for its uniformity. Because of the high demand for Carrara marble, it is one of the most expensive marbles on the market.
Also from Italy, Breccia marble is perhaps the opposite of Cararra: it is formed by landslides, and looks like a composite of limestone fragments. When laid on your floor in tiles, Breccia marble displays a wide range of textures and colors; for this reason, it hides stains more easily than Cararra marble.
There are many, many more varieties of marble, and sourcing your stone from a quarry nearer to your home would probably be a cheaper option than purchasing tiles imported from Italy or elsewhere.
Installing marble floor tile is similar to installing ceramic tile, though marble tiles are much heavier. To sustain the weight of the marble, your subfloor must be perfectly level, and the floorboards must be sturdy. Be sure to do proper preparation work before laying in the marble tiles. And, because marble is so easy to stain, you must seal it immediately after the tiles have been laid and the grout has completely dried. It is best to leave this job to a professional, and you should reseal your floors every five years or so, more frequently for high-traffic areas.
Marble floors require careful maintenance. The tiles should be cleaned regularly, using a neutral cleaning fluid (with a balanced pH); avoid cleaning solutions that contain chelates, because this chemical compound dissolves calcium -- a primary component of marble tiles. Also, don't use any cleaner that is acidic (containing vinegar or citrus, for instance), as this can discolor your tiles. Darker colored marble tiles are easier to take care of, in that they don't easily show such discoloration.
Get used to removing your shoes before walking on your marble floors. The soles of your shoes can carry oil and dirt, which will scratch and stain your floor. If the tiles feel cold to your bare or stockinged feet, then keep some slippers near your front door that you wear indoors only.
As mentioned, you should reseal your marble floors every five years, or more frequently for heavily trafficked areas; most commonly used is an "impregnator" sealer. Bear in mind that sealing marble does not render your tiles completely stain resistant; the marble must still "breathe," so the sealant will only repel stains. If your floors are sealed properly and you wipe up any spills quickly, you should not have a problem with staining.
If your marble tiles become scratched or dull, then you may need to sand the floor, generally with a diamond sander. Start with rough abrasive pads, then switch to finer pads. Unless you are experienced, consider hiring a professional to sand down your marble floors; if you grind too deep, you may permanently damage your marble.
If you take good care of your marble floors, they will retain their quality for many years, adding to the beauty and value of your home.
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