Of the many types of natural stone floors we are asked to restore, one of the most popular in both homes and offices is marble, which can produce one of the finest, most elegant looks of any type of flooring when polished and maintained.
Associated with timeless beauty and fine art, marble is ironically remarkably difficult to take care of long-term for many of the same reasons as it can be used to make such astonishing works.
With regards to its use in flooring, it has become very popular because of how visually arresting it is when polished, which provides an upscale look that is very hard to replicate with other materials.
It is also typically a light stone with a lot of vivid veining, meaning that it fits a wide range of design styles depending on the precise type of marble you get. This also makes a valuable addition when trying to sell your home.
Alongside this, it can be quite versatile, being of the right thickness and conductivity to support an underfloor heating system.
However, what can often be missed when purely looking at polished marble is the fact that it is made from limestone, a highly porous stone. Part of the reason why it is so popular with artists is that it is remarkably easy to carve, but this means that it is prone to scratches and staining.
Sealing is an absolute requirement if you plan on fitting a marble floor, as spills can easily soak into the stone and become effectively permanent. In particular, acidic spills such as orange juice or vinegar can cause a chemical reaction and potentially permanent damage, as can standing water.
Installing marble requires a commitment to constantly taking care of it, as more substantial repairs require specialist techniques and professionals with a keen eye for detail. This can make it unsuitable for certain types of rooms with regularly moving furniture.