It is commonly said that using Marble for flooring helps achieve a level of luxury and class. However one must always understand the advantages and disadvantages of any flooring. Despite how stunning Marble tiles can look, they can also be quite expensive, and difficult to maintain and therefore have proven to not be the best choice for multiple occasions.
Understanding Marble Flooring
Marble is actually a form of natural stone which is made out of limestone. This limestone goes through a lot of heat and pressure in order to get to the finished product. The end product is a fine polished material that is used for both marble floors and walls. A couple of examples are Carrara marble tiles and Calacatta marble tiles both of which contain lavish patterns and textures.
calacatta marble tiles
- Popular Applications
Due to its luxurious appearance, marble flooring tiles are widely used in bathrooms, living rooms, and kitchens. Additionally, many customers opt for white marble tiles or natural stone tiles as they provide the customer with a clean and sophisticated vibe.
The Drawbacks of Marble Flooring
Marble floors indeed look beautiful but they do come with some hardships. Briefly, certain drawbacks are:
- High cost
Marble flooring especially calacatta marble tiles as well as elegant marble wall and floor tiles are some of the most expensive types of flooring. This means that if you are looking to do a full renovation of your floor with marble or just a portion of it, according to your budget and how much you are willing to spend you will have to look somewhere else as instead of marble there are other alternatives like vinyl flooring or ceramic floor tiles.
- Porosity and Staining
Porous materials such as marble are easy to spill and cause leaks. This also means if coffee, wine, or any other acidic substance is left to sit without cleaning will harden making it impossible to remove, leaving a mark behind. All of this means white marble tiles and slabs get stains on them all the time, and become completely visible.
- Maintenance requirements
Marble does require proper care especially when it comes to using certain cleaners or sealers whose ingredients might harm the marble over time. This means if someone wants to install either marble wall or floor tiles inside the bathroom, they better be ready for the constant maintenance that the tiles would require.
- Scratching and Chipping
Marble can withstand hits, but over time a lot of scratches and chips will form on all the marble flooring slabs around areas with a lot of foot traffic. For this reason, a hallway with a number of people walking through constantly will result in the marble flooring and slabs getting scratched, or chipping off which will not look appealing to the users.
- Slippery Surface
When polished, marble floor tiles tend to become exceedingly slippery, especially when wet, which becomes a safety concern within bathrooms or any other area with high exposure to water. This problem can be solved using textured mosaic & terrazzo tiles or applying anti-slip treatments.
Carrara marble tiles
Alternative Materials Worth Trying
On the other hand, if the drawbacks of going for marble flooring are quite concerning for you, some options closely imitate its looks without the downsides:
- Ceramic and porcelain tiles
Ceramic and tiles have been designed to look like marble spars, proving to be more durable and easier to maintain. These are offered at a lower price when compared to high-grade marble tiles but still help with providing stylish interiors.
- Engineered Stone
Quartz is an example of an engineered stone, that can provide the aesthetic of a natural stone while being non-porous, which is not the case with natural stones. These tiles are capable of resisting a greater number of stains, scratches, and dirt, making them more appropriate for spaces where marble tiles might be weak.
- Vinyl Tiles
For some, the cost of marble tiles can be high, so they can consider vinyl tiles as an alternative, as they can be more appealing at a cheaper price. Although they are less luxurious compared to their marble counterparts, vinyl is more suitable for spaces with a greater number of foot traffic.
The Prominence of Marble Without Refuting Its Shortcomings
- Timeless Beauty
Marble floors are widely used in luxury interiors due to their beauty even when it is known that there are disadvantages that marble possesses. The gorgeous patterns of veins that come with Carrara and calacatta marble tiles are irresistible and add charm to the space they are used in.
- Increased Property Value
In a return on investment analysis, the cost of installation of marble flooring slabs on your property will have a positive impact when selling it. This is typical because most buyers regard houses fitted with marble flooring to be elegant and are willing to pay more for it.
- Versatility in Design
Marble tiles for bathroom floors, accent walls with mosaic & terrazzo tiles, the uses of marble are endless. Those who like the best marble floor and wall tiles designs as well as those who like clean designs will both have options to choose from.
Putting in the effort and time to take care of marble tiles will allow them to remain looking good:
- Seal Regularly
A marble floor seal can be applied to your marble flooring slabs twice a year to make them resistant to soaking up water and stains.
Elegant Wall and Floor Tiles
- Use Proper Cleaners
Cleaning marble floors with cleaners that are made ready for the marble surfaces is a great way to prevent etching as well as discoloration and avoid using strong chemicals.
- Manage Foot Traffic in the Area
To preserve the state of your marble floor tiles, consider cover with rugs or mats in areas communicating a lot of traffic.
- After Cleaning Making it a Habit
Avoid spilling on marble tiles, especially white ones, as the color creates a chance of a stain. To avoid that, clean any spills as they happen.
Factors Influencing the Selection of Marble Tiles
The cost of installing and maintaining marble tiles is decided upon the design, the endurance of the marble, and the price of it;
- Different Designs Available
It is possible to find a lavish wall and floor marble tile, and if on a tight budget, one can settle for the 100% cheap marble tile.
- For Use in Different Places
Installing marble flooring slabs with texture will help avoid slippages when used in bathrooms. For living areas, natural stone tiles that look polished are ideal.
- Vetted Suppliers
When it comes down to cost, avoid the middle man and look for manufacturers that have the right markup on their marble tiles such as chinamarbletiles.com, who are a China factory and a Chinese manufacturer as well, so competitively priced custom-made ones are available.
Marble flooring may enhance beauty and class in any interior but it has its share of issues such as huge cost, porosity, and extensive maintenance requirements. Marble tiles, such as the Carrara and calacatta marble tiles, have to be well maintained to retain their appeal. Even though some drawbacks exist, such as staining or slipperiness, marble tiles remain one of the most popular choices among homeowners who love to have stylish interiors due to their beauty and versatility. Other materials like porcelain and engineered stone look similar in appearance but offer much fewer disadvantages. It is important to understand the benefits and the drawbacks so that you can determine whether or not marble floors will be suitable for your area.
