Nothing comes close to the statuesque and absolutely sublime marble with regard to flooring. But marble tiles have always been the signposts of affluence and pizzazz. The lucky few who did manage to experiment with marble flooring seemed to have been blessed with an intrinsic, almost innate sense of style. Does that notion hold true even today? Not any more. With marble being quarried in many more places like China, Mexico and Spain, the exclusive tag that Italian marble once enjoyed is now a thing of the past. No longer do you need to eschew your life-long fascination of marble on account of its astronomical price tag.
Today, more and more people are opting for this fabulous looking stone for a gamut of external and internal applications. But the million dollar question that you should be asking yourself is, 'is marble flooring right for your home?' I don't in any way intend to dampen your alacrity for the stone, but it does make a lot of sense to understand the pros and cons of marble flooring prior to installation.
It's hard to torpedo marble's aura
Ever noticed the way a glow suffuses your face the moment you feel marble tiles under your feet? That's the magic only marble can create, with all its contemporaries coming a poor second. Marble adds a touch of class and grace to any surrounding. But there's more to this natural stone than just its drop-dead gorgeous looks. It's a very soothing and pleasing surface, apart from being as cool as a cucumber. Marble flooring does not get heated up really fast, so that explains its iconic status in tropical countries. Also the fact that it's a metamorphic stone that owes its existence to limestone getting crystallized at high temperatures and pressures, ensures that it's a tough nut to crack. So here you have a durable, long lasting surface that is blessed with great looks as well. Quite a complete package, I must say. No wonder marble has steadily progressed from being used on floors to kitchen back splashes, tub floorings, countertops and fireplace exteriors, just to name a few.
Now, the downside
The biggest drawback of marble flooring is that it's high on maintenance. Being more porous than its other stone counterparts means that it's more susceptible to stains. Orange juice, shampoo and nail polish remover are a strict no-no as far as marble flooring is concerned. Also, one needs to pay great detail to sealing the surface with neutral pH sealers after the installation. This process needs to be repeated at regular intervals depending on the traffic and usage. Places like the entrance of the house or the kitchen may require professional cleaning and resealing.
There's nothing more divine that warm cream marble flooring peppered with subtle pink hues for that dramatic effect. But before you get all weak kneed, ask yourself, 'is marble flooring the right choice for my home?'
