Marble flooring is making a comeback. With over five-hundred varieties available, the possibilities are virtually limitless.
Marble is formed when limestone is heated and pressurized within the earth’s crust. It consists primarily of calcite and dolomite. Any impurities that are present in the limestone when it goes through its metamorphosis into marble affect the mineral composition, which ultimately gives marble its unique coloring, textures and veining. Green marble, for example, is loaded with serpentine, while red marble is the result of hematite getting into the mix. Yellow marble is full of limonite, and blue marble, diopside. The whiter the marble, the purer the limestone from which it has formed.
Compared with granite or ceramic tile, marble is a denser and more durable material. And where granite can often give off a harsher, colder feel, marble is warm and soft, ideal in a home or small business setting. Indeed, it is for it’s aesthetic qualities that marble is so popular.
Though proper installation does require a good amount of expertise. It is important to know what substrate the marble is to be laid on. The thickness of the setting is also a consideration.
Then there is the finish. Marble floors are often thought of as high-maintenance, but ultimately, if it has been installed properly, the attention marble requires depends in large part on the type of finish it receives. A polished finish or a honed finish are among the most popular types. A polished marble floor will have an intense shine to it and makes for a cleaner, more colorful finish. However, polished marble floors are generally quite difficult to maintain, as any damage that occurs, whether a scratch or a smudge, is highly visible against such a fine finish. A honed floor, on the other hand, will appear more matte-like, making it ideal for higher-traffic areas.
Whatever the trends, though, the bottom line is that marble, with its naturally wide range of colors and patterns, and its incredible strength and durability, makes for vast flooring possibilities.
Examples
