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 a full-property remodel. One of the most popular types of floor tile installations used is marble floor tiles.
These floors have an everlasting appeal and speak to sophistication and luxury in your interior space. While you can install marble floor tiles throughout your entire home, placing the tiles in your kitchen and bathroom is a perfect way to use the stone. While it is at the top of natural stone flooring materials in the market, it has its advantages as well as disadvantages to keep in mind. Comparing the two can help you decide if it’s the best option for your next flooring project. Below is a guide that explains the pros and cons of marble floor tiles.
Pros of Marble Floor Tiles
Thinking of getting marble floor tiles? This is 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 fancy, you can rest assured it doesn’t compromise durability for its aesthetic appeal. When installed properly, they can last you two decades or more. Regular maintenance will also help it to last longer.
They have a hardwearing surface that’s highly resistant to shattering. The longer marble floor tiles are left in their finished form, the harder they become. Since they get stronger with time, they can withstand normal wear and tear. Additionally, they are moisture resistant. This makes it easy for you to wipe up spills and messes when they happen.
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 exude a special nobility that makes your home look stylish, sophisticated, and respectable.
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 from fluctuating temperatures. They contract with cold and expand with heat, leading to deformation and cracks.
But marble floor tiles don’t have that problem. It can withstand temperature changes without exhibiting any sign of wear. You don’t have to worry about it 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 conditioning, marble tiles will also absorb the coolness without getting damaged.
Seamless Installation
Marble flooring is available in large slabs that require to be installed piece by piece into a floor. After installation, it lends a seamless appearance to your flooring. You won’t see visible signs of joining marks or connections like in 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
When other forms of tiles get damaged over time, you can restore marble floor tiles with polish. It can take high doses of polish compared to other tiles. You can polish it as much as you desire until your floors sparkle with elegance.
This silky and shimmering effect can make your marble floor tiles stand out even in empty hallways. Besides, a polished finish can bring out the colors in your marble tiles.
Marble flooring reflects light. This can give the illusion that the floors are translucent. As a result, no flooring material can match its radiance.
Versatile
This type of 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. It’s a natural material so it isn’t processed or made with a bunch of chemicals.
Marble doesn’t require any machines for its creation. This eliminates the need to use machines, which emit harmful gases that pollute the environment. What’s more, it saves on energy.
It is also degradable at the end of its lifespan. If you want to renovate your flooring, you can get in touch with a marble company to come to remove the old marble tiles and re-use them elsewhere.
Adds to Resale Value
Marble floor tiles make a home look elegant and timeless. What’s more, it makes your property seem more opulent. This is a classic look that most buyers look for when they are looking to get a new home.
If you have marble stone floors, most 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 in them. 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 its 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 ruin your home’s aesthetic. To make matters worse, it’s very hard to prevent scratching on marble flooring.
Although you can place protective coatings over it, scratching can still occur. Besides, 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 out the stains can be very difficult. Ensure you wipe off liquids as soon as they spill to avoid the hassle.
Has a Negative Reaction to Acid
While they are a durable kitchen flooring option, marble floors are vulnerable to acidity. Since it comes from sedimentary limestone, it is an alkaline rock. This means it has a pH that doesn’t match well with acidic substances.
From harsh acidic cleaners to tomato sauce and orange juice, these acidic materials can ruin your flooring. Since repairing marble tiles ruined by acidity is stressful, 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. Since it 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. What’s more, you can opt for less polished forms of marble floor tile like honed marble.
Upgrade Your Home With Marble Floor Tiles
Are marble floor tiles right for you? No flooring material conveys sophistication and style better than marble. But 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. Check out these beautiful tiling ideas.
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