Though there are many materials available for flooring, each has some limitation or the other. Some get damaged easily, others are difficult to maintain while another category may offer very limited designs and styles. Marble flooring is perhaps the only kind that is devoid of most of the negative features already mentioned. Here are some of the benefits and limitations of using this attractive material for flooring.
A very welcoming feature of marble is that it maintains its cool. Marble floors bring to mind the images of cool and white Spanish style houses with small smooth courtyards and sunny terraces. Imagine the pleasures of a long cool drink on a warm sunny day in the company of loved ones around a low table in the middle of a big and airy room that has white marble beneath your feet. Or imagine the joy of walking barefoot on a smooth marble floor while it’s hot outside. That’s one exceptional characteristic of this beautiful material. It continues to remain cool in summers and offers a soothing smooth feel.
Marble floors find a wide patronage in countries with warmer climates. Technology has facilitated getting a very high degree of finish and shine to marble. As it’s a natural material it comes with infinite number of natural colors and fascinating designs. No other flooring medium would offer such vast a variety of designs. That’s one reason why marble never seems to go out of style.
Another positive feature that contributes to popularity of marble as a flooring material is its durability. Once it is laid, it is treated with stain resistant sealant that would protect the floor for nearly ten years, after which it is recommended to be resealed. It doesn’t get stained so easily by any of the normal household spills. Though few strong acids may result to stains, they can be removed by suitable treatments. Marble floors are almost maintenance-free.
Marble floors are the easiest to be cleaned. Just mop them with hot water and they begin to look new and shiny. Some patented cleaning agents may be added to water for cleaning such floors. Make sure that the cleaning agent is mild, bleach-free, non-caustic and pH neutral. Many brands are available for the purpose but insist on buying only those, which are marked “suitable for marble floors”.
There are hardly any disadvantages of marble flooring. Once they have been laid professionally, they remain in perfect shape and state for a lifetime. That’s very unlike ceramic tiles that get lifted up from their original point because of the moisture that seeps through fractured grouting. Unless cleaned immediately, they may develop stains as a result of spillage of strong acids or alkalis, but that is a very common phenomenon with any flooring material. Its very helpful characteristic of staying cool works to your disadvantage during winters. But, that can easily be taken care of by covering the floor with rugs that have Hessian cloth beneath.
Keeping the above in mind you may agree that marble is a good choice for a new home, especially if that’s in warm climate. Marble flooring is cool, has beautiful designs in many natural colors, is highly durable and easy to maintain and clean. There’s no serious limitation or disadvantage of marble flooring and ultimately it’s an excellent choice for a new home.