Getting Marble Floors: 3 Considerations You Have To Make

One of the flooring materials that are used by renowned home designers, architects and artists all around the world is none other than marble flooring. Marble is a popular type of natural stone and it is among the most luxurious and lavish flooring products in the market. Simply put, not many things can enhance the aesthetics of a home quite like sleek-looking marble floors. It does not only have the potential to make your home look visually striking and dynamic, but is highly durable when maintained properly. Its impeccable nature will also add value to your home.

While patterns, color, style and size are important details to ponder over, there is more to marble than meets the eye. Whether you are planning to tile a room or your entire house with marble, there are a few critical areas you need to consider before opting for marble.

Slip resistance

One of the first things you will have to consider is slip resistance. Also known as the coefficient of friction or COF, it is used to calculate the amount of force it takes to move a certain weight over the surface of the floor. That being said, your floor will have more traction when its COF is higher.

The finish you will choose for the stone will also affect how slippery your marble floors will be. For instance, polished marble floors are usually the most slippery as its coefficient of friction is significantly lower (it gets more slippery when it’s wet). Brushed, tumbled or honed marble tiles are the ones that have more traction. Each of the finishes that were mentioned can fit well with most spaces, but how the space will be used and the foot traffic is the determining factors of the type of finishing for your project.

Level of maintenance required

Marble, like all natural stone, is highly porous and will need a greater amount of maintenance. It needs to be treated on a regular basis to protect it from moisture and spills. This is a significant detail for any prospective owner to bear in mind when contemplating over marble tiles for outdoor projects or for moisture-prone, higher traffic areas like kitchens and bathrooms.

Regardless of the intended application, the marble tiles should always be installed and treated with a surface finishing treatment and below-surface sealer to offset the marble’s natural vulnerability to spills and stains. Depending on the amount of foot traffic it receives, the treatment should be repeated every six to twelve months.

Avoid laying mismatching tiles

Marble possesses unique looks and it is evident in each tile’s whirling patterns and inimitable shade, which is why homeowners should pay extra attention when laying the flooring to maintain a consistent look. It is always a good practice to lay out the tiles over the bare surface before locking them in for good. This allows you to inspect the tiles and spot any potential mismatches before it’s too late. Ensure that all your tiles come from the same batch for increased consistency.

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