Marble Flooring And Types

Marble flooring alone can give the dreamy look that we all wish our homes had. Marble is a natural stone and has the ability to add magic to anything. It is one of the most luxurious and classy flooring installation choices you can have for your home. Like the rest of the choices marble also comes In many types and colors. The patterns and streaks of colors that are available as choices for your marble flooring are ample. But how to find if marble is your type?

The following will be a guide to understanding the various aspects of marble flooring before you take your pick.

Classifications: This is based on the chemical composition

Dolomite – This contains 40% magnesium carbonate.

Magnesium – This contains between 5% to 40% magnesium.

Calcite- And this contains 5% or less magnesium carbonate.

The different types available:

1.    Breccia:

This type of marble is one of the types chosen for flooring and comes in deep brown and shades of red. This type varies from stone to stone and is a warmer and darker marble.

2.    Calacatta:

Calacatta usually comes with bold and evidently visible line patterns and is also warm in hue and can add the drama and depth you look for in your home.

3.    Carrara:

Often confused with calacatta this is the type of marble that has been used in Greek and Roman statues which gives the pure, elegant white, and pristine white appearance. This is one of the lightest marble grades available and comes with a similar vein pattern as that of calacatta but less visible.

4.    Limestone:

Picked as a great option for the bathrooms due to its porous nature, if placed strategically at home this can add utility and beauty to your home.

Also, artificial marble or cultured marble which is a mixture of marble, dust, and cement is becoming popular these days. The cost of this falls slightly lower than the original marble.

5.    Finish:

There are three major types of finish given to a marble flooring tile.

Polished: This gives a shiny, and glossy surface that is polished to point of reflection and is usually used in halls or living rooms.

Honed: This type is polished although not to make it slippery. This gives more of a matte finish to the tile is often used in bathrooms as this finish helps avoid slipping.

Sand: This finish is the way to add a rustic elegance to your home. It is a mixture of sand and marble and can give a whole new look to your home.

Why choose?

Marble flooring comes in beautiful colors such as botticino, Brescia sinai, crema marfil and more each of these are great options to explore. The beautiful colors and patterns add unmatchable beauty. The stone itself has the nature of glowing in sunlight making it a dreamy choice for your home. It has a unique beauty and is also durable and strong. It is highly dense and can be used in high-traffic areas without having to worry about chipping away like in the case of ceramic tiles. Also, compared to granite the finish is grander and more unique.

But marble tiles also need a lot of special care on a regular basis. It is quite expensive to buy as well as it is required to be cleaned and preferably polished once in 2 years to keep the look intact. Also, transporting the tile needs to be handled with great care. Also, the patterns you find in the tiles are usually similar only for the ones which come from the same stone and hence you will have to buy extra boxes in the case of any future replacements.

Cost:

The grade, finish, veins, and thickness all influence the pricing. Higher the grade of marble flooring ( A-D), the higher the price. A similar trend runs for thickness. Tiles with more veins cost higher. Smooth texture costs lesser than tumbled ones. Indian Marble might range between Rs 90/tile to Rs 300 /per tile.

Conclusion

Because it’s a natural stone, marble has a porous surface. To help keep it looking beautiful, marble flooring should be refinished every six to 12 months with a quality stone sealer made for marble. It’s also one of the softer stones — high heels and dog claws are not marble’s best friends.

Unfortunately, marble also has a well-deserved reputation for staining. Orange juice, harsh cleaners, and any acidic substances should be cleaned up immediately. Some homeowners report that even water causes staining. The best way to live with marble flooring is to assume that, over time, the floors will develop a unique patina.