Flooring

Flooring is one of the most noticeable components of any home. It is important to take the necessary time out when deciding on the perfect material to use for this part of any home or building. Marble flooring has always been a popular go to solution for many. There are many reasons why this material has stood the test of time.

Historically marble has always been associated with the wealthy and the monarchy. There are many ancient buildings throughout the world which are proof of this. When entering some of these historical attractions, it is the marble floors which often catch the eye first. In some cases, these floors cover huge areas which often resemble an unending sea.

Naturally marble is formed from limestone which has been compressed under enormous conditions of heat and pressure over time. During this process, the limestone becomes impregnated with a huge number of different impurities. These are expressed as different veins within the main stone structure. The color of these veins depends on the type of impurity responsible for its formation in the first place.

The veins found in the marble are of two-fold importance.
• Quality
The veins are as a result of impurities and have a direct impact on the quality of the stone being excavated. Marble which presents with a huge amount of veins is inferior in quality. High quality marble has fewer veins and these structures are also thinner.
• Uniqueness
The fact that these artifacts occur naturally has an amazing outcome. Each piece of marble is one hundred percent unique. Floors made from excellent quality naturally occurring marble is therefore always one of a kind.
Marble is porous by nature and is extremely susceptible to damage if substances fall onto the surface. These substances are able to permeate deep into the material, resulting in permanent disfiguring of the surface. As a result, marble flooring is often sealed with a protected gel coating. Sometimes this is further enhanced by also giving the surface a high quality polish.

Marble floors are extremely suitable for high traffic areas. This includes entrances halls to building blocks and homes. These floors stand up well in these areas and their lifespan is enhanced by having a suitable maintenance plan in place.

In the case of bathrooms, the marble is often mixed with other materials when doing flooring. The most common type of material used to complement marble is porcelain. Unfortunately, these surfaces are often more prone to damage or breakage than surfaces consisting entirely of marble.

Over time, the gel sealant does where off. When this happens, the porous nature of the material is exposed. In order to ensure that the floor remains in an immaculate condition, it is important to remember to treat it with sealant at least once a year.

When looking at a flooring solution, it is important to note that marble may be acquired in at least three different formats.
• Tiles
These are available in different dimensions and are often the easiest format to transport. In many cases tiles are thinner than the other two forms. Tile floors can often be laid using manual labor requiring a minimal amount of mechanical assistance.
• Pavers
Pavers are usually bulkier than tiles and less than slabs. Marble floors made up of pavers are often laid down manually and may require some form of mechanical assistance.
• Slabs
Marble slabs can range greatly in dimension, size and mass. More often than with tiles and pavers, mechanical assistance is a must when doing floors consisting of slabs.

One of the reasons why people look at marble as a flooring option is its durability. It is important to note is that even though it is a hard surface, it is still susceptible to certain types of damage. This includes things such as cracks and chips. When this type of damage does occur, it could ruin the floor permanently and is not often easy to rectify.

Marble floors are also exposed to scratches. Fortunately, this kind of damage is easier to remedy than cracks and chips. The easiest way is to use sandpapers or steel wool to scour that scratched area. This is to smoothen out any rough edges. Follow this by using an approved quality gel gloss.

Marble floor add a unique atmosphere to any area or room. To maintain this kind of expectation, it is important to have a regular cleaning routine in place. The most important part of the cleaning tools is to possess a microfibre cloth.
• Dry cloth
In most cases, the use of a dry microfibre cloth will suffice. It will get rid of dirt, dust and grit most of the time.
• Wet cloth
In the case where there is the need to use some fluid to cleanup, restrict the solution to water. Some cleaning solvents contain chemicals which damage or erode the protective floor sealant. A damp microfibre cloth will do the job.

When spilling anything on a marble floor it is important to clean up the spill as soon as possible. Certain substances can cause permanent staining of the protective gel sealant. The only solution in this kind of situation could be to strip and reseal the surface of the floor.

When installing or laying a marble floor, there are two importance aspects to take into consideration; cost of the material, and the skill of the person doing the actual floor. Marble is usually quite expensive. It makes sense that if the skill of the installer is suspect, getting in a professional makes perfect sense. Rather spend the extra money and get the floor done correctly first time around.

Marble floors have been around for centuries and have always been associated with wealth and class. As a result, there are many high-end homes today which still portray this tradition. In addition, marble flooring is durable and each floor has its own unique character due to its natural origin. This price tag associated with the initial cost is definitely worth it if the surface is well maintained and cared for.