Did you know that there are roughly 450 billion floors sold in the world each year? You can buy new flooring to replace a small area in your space or opt for a full-property remodel. One of the most popular types of floor tile installations is marble floor tiles.
These floors offer timeless elegance and add a touch of luxury to any interior space. While marble tiles can be installed throughout your home, they are especially well-suited for kitchens and bathrooms. As one of the most popular natural stone flooring options, marble has its strengths and weaknesses. Understanding both can help you decide whether it’s the right choice for your next flooring project. Below is a guide outlining the pros and cons of marble floor tiles.
Pros of Marble Floor Tiles
Thinking of getting marble floor tiles? They can be an incredible option for different types of homes and spaces. Here are the top benefits of marble flooring.
Durable and Resistant
While marble flooring may be known for being quite sophisticated, you can rest assured it doesn’t compromise durability for its aesthetic appeal. When installed properly, marble floors can last you two decades or more. Regular maintenance will also help extend durability.
Marble floor tiles have a durable surface that is highly resistant to shattering. In fact, the longer they are in place, the harder and more resilient they become, making them capable of withstanding regular wear and tear. Additionally, marble is moisture-resistant, allowing you to easily clean up spills and messes as they occur.
Allergen-Free and Easy to Clean
Unlike carpet, allergens can’t attach to and build up on marble floor tiles. Even if pet dander, pollen, and dust start to collect, they are very visible on this flooring’s surface. You can quickly get rid of them with a mop before they trigger allergies.
Cleaning marble flooring is also easy. You can use a broom, cloth, or mop to eliminate any spills and grime. But it’s worth noting that marble requires specific care, as certain cleaning products can end up harming it.
Antibacterial
Need kitchen and bathroom flooring options that keep away bacteria and germs?
Your bathroom and kitchen area tend to come in contact with a lot of germs and bacteria. This is why you need flooring that doesn’t attract or trap these contaminants.
Marble flooring naturally contains antibacterial properties. It repels germs and other bacteria. What’s more, it resists the growth of mold in your kitchen and bathrooms.
Aesthetics and Uniqueness
The beauty of marble floor tiles is unmatched. They make your home look stylish, sophisticated, and beautiful.
Moreover, they are very unique. Just like fingerprints, you will never find two slabs of marble that look alike. They have wisp-like markings—which are in fact impurities—that give marble its signature look.
This means that your marble floor tiles will always be 100% distinctive and one-of-a-kind. No one else will have the exact tiles as you do.
Adapts to Various Temperatures
Many forms of tiles often suffer in fluctuating temperatures. They contract with cold and expand with heat, leading to deformation and cracks.
But marble floor tiles don’t have that problem. They can withstand temperature changes without exhibiting any sign of wear. You don’t have to worry about them crumbling under climate shifts.
Marble floors are unaffected by high temperatures and conduct heat well. If you have radiated heating on your floors, they will take well to it and create a warm, comfortable ground to walk on.
When you turn on your air conditioning, marble tiles will also absorb the coolness without getting damaged.
Seamless Installation
Marble flooring comes in large slabs that need to be installed individually. Once installed, it creates a seamless look, with no visible joints or connection lines, unlike other types of tiles.
This gives it a clean, stunning, and luxurious aesthetic. But the installation process of marble floor tiles is very complicated. That’s why you need to hire a skilled contractor for the job to be done right.
Shiny and Translucent
Unlike other types of tiles that may deteriorate over time, marble floor tiles can be easily restored with polishing. Marble can handle frequent polishing, allowing you to maintain its elegant shine and achieve a sparkling finish.
The polished surface not only enhances the natural colors of the marble but also reflects light beautifully. This creates a luminous, almost translucent effect, making marble flooring stand out even in empty spaces. Its unique radiance is unmatched by other flooring materials.
Versatile
Marble flooring comes in various colors, textures, grades, and finishes, making it a versatile and practical choice for homeowners. Since it offers flexible options for a range of decorative schemes, you can find tiles that can fit well with your décor.
You can also use marble tiles on your floors or walls. What’s more, you can cut the tiles into various shapes like triangles or rectangles to create complex mosaic installations.
Eco-Friendly Tiles
If you are looking for sustainable flooring, marble tiles are a perfect fit. Marble is a natural material so it isn’t processed or made with any chemicals.
Marble is environmentally friendly because it doesn’t require machinery for its production, which helps reduce harmful emissions and conserve energy. Additionally, marble is biodegradable at the end of its life cycle. If you decide to renovate, you can contact a marble company to remove and repurpose your old marble tiles elsewhere.
Adds to Resale Value
Marble floor tiles make a home look elegant and timeless. What’s more, they make your property seem more opulent. If you have marble stone floors, many buyers are likely to show interest in your home. As a result, it increases your home’s value in the market.
Cons of Marble Floor Tiles
Despite its grandeur, marble flooring has a few downsides to it. It’s important to be aware of them before investing. Here are some cons of marble floor tiles.
Susceptible to Scratches
As far as flooring options, marble tiles are one of the softer materials. This makes the surface much more susceptible to scratching and scraping. While it may not crack or break easily, scratches are quite commonplace.
Over time, the scratches build-up, become more visible, and affect your home’s aesthetic.
Although you can place protective coatings over it, scratching can still occur. Additionally, you can’t get rid of protective coatings without replacing your marble floors.
Vulnerable to Stains
Marble is quite porous since it’s a natural rock. While you can easily clean off dust and debris, it can be challenging with liquids.
When liquids spill on your marble floor tiles, they can cause discoloration. Even plain water can result in color changes. This can make your floors look unappealing.
Once marble floors are stained, cleaning can be very difficult. Be sure you wipe off liquids as soon as they spill to avoid the hassle.
Negative Reaction to Acid
While marble floors are a durable kitchen flooring option, they are vulnerable to acidity. Since marble comes from sedimentary limestone, it is an alkaline rock. This means it has a pH that doesn’t go well with acidic substances.
From harsh acidic cleaners to tomato sauce and orange juice, these acidic materials can ruin your flooring. Repairing marble tiles ruined by acidity is stressful, so ensure you protect your floors with a sealant.
High and Unpredictable Pricing
Marble floor tiles are quite expensive. The prices can vary significantly depending on the type of marble you want and the current demand. The pricing of marble floor tiles can start at around $5 per square foot.
If you want specialty marble tiles with designer mosaics and non-standard sizes, the price can be very high. They can cost around $10 to $40 per square foot based on the veining patterns and density. Also, the larger the tile, the more expensive it will be.
Professional installation can also add to the expenses. Because marble is very heavy and requires special installation, the labor costs can add up.
Slippery
Polished marble flooring can be very slick and slippery. They offer little to no grip, leading to hard falls, especially in bathrooms and kitchens where water is likely to be. To avoid accidents, use non-slip rugs in these areas. You can also opt for less polished forms of marble floor tile like honed marble.
Maintenance Tips for Marble Floor Tiles
To give your marble floor tiles the best chance of remaining stunning and durable, proper maintenance is essential. Regular cleaning with a pH-balanced cleaner will help prevent the buildup of dirt and grime, which can dull the surface. As mentioned, it’s also crucial to promptly wipe up spills, as marble is porous and can absorb liquids, leading to potential stains.
Applying a high-quality sealant periodically can protect the marble from stains and scratches, maintaining its glossy finish. Additionally, using soft cloths or mops rather than abrasive tools will prevent surface damage. By following these maintenance tips, you can preserve the elegance of your marble tiles and extend their lifespan.
Upgrade Your Home With Marble Floor Tiles
Are marble floor tiles right for you? No flooring material conveys sophistication and style better than marble. However, it requires considerable care and maintenance. Be aware of its advantages and limitations before you spend money on marble flooring.
If you are ready to take on a DIY tiling project at home, Rubi tools can come in handy. They make installation easy! If you want to learn more, check out these beautiful tiling ideas.
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