The Worst Places To Install Marble Tiles

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Post Date: 09 Apr 2009    Viewed: 860

Marble tiles have been noted as unique and elegant decorative stone flooring solutions that are not matched aesthetically.

Marble has been sought for centuries by artists,developers and architects, and the stone is firmly rooted in the history of architecture, art, and of the development of both Eastern and Western civilizations. It was commonly utilized to create memorable and literally monumental artwork that has lasted for centuries.

As such, it stands as a material with renowned associations of craft, artistry, and longevity, making it a unique material for use in any interior. With using marble tiles, a unique aesthetic quality is gained, along with a part of the rich historical legacy with which it is rightly associated.

Common Uses And Practical Benefits

Marble tiles are generally seen as hypoallergenic choices for flooring, because of its dense surface upon which antigens and particles which cause allergies to become inflamed, and are less able to reside than they usually would in carpeting. There had been times when marble was used for as flooring in hospitals, before the use of porcelain tile outweighed its popularity.

In the summer months, the cool and refreshing surface of marble tiles can make for a pleasant underfoot, thereby adding a certain comfort value to the choice of flooring. Overall, they are a great way to accent an interior, along with the added benefits of its other more practical features.

In popularity, they beat even the highest grades of granite tiles. They are most generally utilized in formal master bathrooms, both on the floors and walls, but have a wide assortment of applications. The most standard residential uses of marble are for window sills, fireplaces hearths, decorative foyers and bathroom floors. Other bathroom applications include wall covering, back splashes, tub decks and showers.

Drawbacks To Using Marble Tiles

Because marble is not the hardest of natural stones, it would not suit well as a floor covering in extremely high traffic areas, although under typical residential and light commercial applications, it would hold up just well. The sole application that it is not well suited for is kitchen counter tops, because its natural composition usually deteriorates when exposed to acidic foods.

However, certain precautions need to be taken before using them. First of all, make sure that you understand the basics of marble -- what kind of maintenance is required, the types available, the going rates attached to each, and the drawbacks of the material.

There are definitely some drawbacks to using these tiles. Apart from the fact that they require far more careful cleaning other tiles, natural tiles may usually not be laid out in a visually seamless manner. This is because most natural marble have subtle veining and color variations that will, under most instances, not permit a perfect visual match.

It must be kept in mind that marble tiles are usually the "leftovers" from the cutting of larger slabs, since the largest possible sizes are given preference in the cutting and grading process. As such, finding a set of visually and texturally compatible tiles large enough for one's purpose can be quite a tough task.