Marble Flooring - thousands of years of prosperity
Marble is one of the best-loved building materials and one of the most popular flooring options today. Around for centuries, its reputation for being one of the best materials to work on has endured due to its lasting impression that it makes in all kinds of settings. Marble's durability does not in any way take away from its beauty, and homeowners and builders through out history have taken a liking to this elegant and versatile material.
Beauty and Hardness
Marble's inherent durability is a result of millions of years of processing deep down the earth's surface. Years spent under extreme pressure has turned what was once limestone into a strong and stately material that is popular with builders, artists, and homeowners. It was used as a prominent building material during Ancient Roman Times and gained favor again during the Renaissance where it was the material of choice for Florentine palaces and numerous sculptures.
Versatility in natural stone
Modern times have seen marble's use mostly in flooring in the form of marble tile. Both residences and commercial buildings have been sites for marble's beauty, elegance, and unmistakable shine. Its many colors and complementing patterns assure that there will be a marble tile that is right for your property too.
It is beautiful and durable as it is versatile, too. Marble tiles can be used on virtually any floor in the house, all the way to the bathroom. However, when using marble for bathrooms, make sure that it has been thoroughly sealed, and treated for slip-resistance.
Caring For Marble Tiles
While marble is a strong and hardy flooring choice and is resistant to heat and scratching, it can be damaged if anything acidic spilled on it. Bearing this in mind, take care not to use acidic cleansers or cleaners on your marble tile floor. Doing so will etch the marble tile and dull the finish. Spills must also be wiped immediately to prevent the liquid from seeping down into the tile. Marble is a very porous material and will stain easily, so spills must be cleaned at once.
The regular cleaning of marble tile flooring is relatively simple. Wash the marble surface with lukewarm water and wipe dry with a clean cloth, preferably a chamois cloth to prevent streaking. You may also do a once-a-year washing with a mild detergent solution such as that made of dishwashing detergent and warm water to keep dirt and dust that may have adhered to the marble tile.
Another option to keep your marble tile flooring in top shape is the application of a light coat of wax or sealer. This will help protect the marble tile from stains and to facilitate cleaning.
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