What is Marble Flooring?
Marble is a medium hardness, porous stone with a high water absorption rate created naturally from calcite, dolomite, or limestone. Due to its natural occurrence, marble comes in a wide spectrum of colours and textures. No two marble slabs are alike, which is why they are so valuable. Marble has always been and will continue to be a special feature to any home. The material exudes beauty and value, from slick marble worktops to excellent flooring. Because of its creamy hue and remarkable grain patterns, marble flooring becomes a more beautiful and identifiable natural building element.
POPULAR MARBLE FLOORING
WHITE MARBLE
Many commercial premises, offices, and households favour white marble because it delivers a clean and natural-looking finish to any application. Because etching leaves white lines on marble as it ages and wears, this natural stone is ideal for concealing much of the damage it sustains. Many homeowners pick white marble for kitchen applications such as islands or countertops because it is durable and beautiful.
BEIGE MARBLE
Beige marble flooring is a similarly versatile interior material that provides a neutral and warm appearance that is simple to combine with interior décor.
’Crema Marfil’ from the Alicante region of Spain is a prevalent variety of beige marble. It is characterized by light cream, beige shading, and dark veins, but some types are almost neutral beige with no veining.
RED MARBLE
Red marble is famous in homes and hospitality venues. The most well-known is RED ALICANTE. As the name suggests, this marble comes from the mountains of the Alicante region of southeast Spain.
A beautiful, warm, reddish colour with irregular light veins characterizes it. It offers many possibilities both for interior and exterior design.
It has multiple applications and can be used in different formats and finishes for countertops, floors, walls, stairs, and facades.
Red Alicante marble is very durable and resistant, so if you use it in your project, you can be sure that its beauty and elegance will be timeless.
GREEN MARBLE
Green is associated with nature, giving spaces peace, harmony, and beauty. Green marble comes in a variety of hues. The intense green and white marble combination gives the setting a freshness that softens it. On the other hand, when mixed with creams or greys, dark green creates a more refined atmosphere. Green marble is commonly used in bathrooms, kitchens, and bedrooms.
BLACK and DARK BROWN MARBLE
Black and dark brown marble instill a sense of security and comfort. They are ideal for decorating a space with an ethnic feel, perfect in hallways and living rooms in particular. They look best when highly polished and installed in bright and well-lit rooms.
Advantages of Marble Flooring:
- Marble is available in many different shades and colours.
- Available in various surface finishes – polished, honed, tumbled, rough
- It is a relatively soft material, so it is easy to cut and install
- Adds a sense of style and class to any space
- Natural material that is fully biodegradable at the end of its useful life.
- Marble retains heat and, therefore, is ideal for use with underfloor heating.
- In warm weather, it has a cooling effect.
Disadvantages of Marble Flooring:
- Marble is a sensitive natural material that requires proper care and maintenance.
- Marble is vulnerable to damage from acidic liquids such as wine, vinegar or fruit juices.
- Polished marble requires occasional re-polishing to maintain its shine. This can only be done by a professional marble polishing company.
- Marble is highly porous, and it will absorb water and oil, which will leave a stain. Therefore, the surface should be sealed with a good quality natural stone sealer such as LITHOFIN STAIN STOP
- Cleaning and sealing of a marble floor is best done by a natural stone maintenance professional.
- Marble is not ideal for kitchen countertops as it can be damaged by many typical food and drink products such as condiments and drinks.
During the winter and in the absence of underfloor heating, marble flooring will make rooms feel colder.
Conclusion:
Marble flooring is a great choice because it adds a unique sense of elegance to any room. However, it requires more maintenance than other natural stone flooring. Marble is a completely natural material, making it an environmentally beneficial and biodegradable flooring option. It will not pollute the environment at the end of its useful life.