Trends in Marble Flooring
Few things say style and sophistication like a genuine marble floor. We tend to associate marble floors with wealth, and they are one of the more expensive flooring options available. However, as with any home improvement project, the amount of added value will nearly always far outweighs the initial expense.
In years past, many homeowners thought of marble floors as being a design element only suitable for formal areas. Perhaps the most traditional application is the marble-floored entryway. Today, however, designers and homeowners are becoming more creative with marble than ever before.
Marble in Kitchens
Installing marble in unexpected places, such as kitchens and bathrooms, is a very hot trend right now. With the wide range of colors available, marble can work with any decor. If you like the sleek, stark look of a black-and-white kitchen, a black marble floor can be the striking final touch which really makes your kitchen stand out from the crowd. On the other hand, if you have a rustic kitchen done in warm tones, you can find a rich brown marble that will complement your style perfectly.
Tips for Working with Marble
- Marble tiles are usually rather thin, and so installation requires some careful forethought. If your sub-floor is uneven, fix it before installing marble floor tiles.
- While marble is renowned for its durability, an uneven base can create weak spots, which can result in cracks.Make sure you leave no hollow space between the marble and its base.
- If you're installing a marble floor in a very busy area, such as a kitchen or entryway, ask your contractor for the very highest-grade marble available, as these materials are slightly more durable.
- Caring for your marble floor is remarkably simple. With only a polishing every two years or so, your marble will shine for years to come.
- When grouting marble tiles, look for sand-less grout.
- A cleaning solution which is pH-neutral is also a wonderful way to pamper your marble. These cleaners can be found online, as well as in many retail stores which specialize in natural-stone products.
Granite Flooring
Available in a wide variety of colors, amazingly durable and undeniably beautiful, granite is a wonderful alternative to marble flooring. It costs less in most cases, but delivers all the unique appeal of natural stone. Caring for granite is as easy as caring for marble.
Natural Stone Countertops
Countertops are as popular as floors when it comes to popular applications for granite and marble. These materials are durable, attractive, and can upgrade the entire appearance of a kitchen or bath. Just as with marble or granite flooring, countertops made of these materials require a bit of planning. They are heavier than most other countertop options, and so you need to ensure that the structure holding the counter up is strong enough. If it's not, play it safe and strengthen or replace any weak spots.
If you're confused or undecided between granite and marble, keep in mind that most experts consider granite to be the more durable of the two materials. On kitchen surfaces, this can be a crucial element, since kitchen countertops usually take quite a beating over the years. Marble also has a tendency to stain. If you do a lot of cooking, you may want to look more closely at granite.
Don't worry about losing options when it comes to color or design; granite is available in the same wide array of colors as marble. For bathroom countertops, marble makes a bit more sense. These surfaces don't deal with the abuse common to kitchen counters, and so they are better suited to marble's slightly more delicate composition.
Lesser-Utilized Stone Applications
While marble and granite floors and countertops are traditional methods of bringing these beautiful natural materials into your home, they're by no means the only ways. With today's custom stone products, some amazingly unique pieces can be created.
Kitchen Island: In the kitchen, creating a granite island is a very trendy project right now. It's a great way to bring this beautiful material into your home in a very visible way. Even better, it's a way to utilize granite without breaking the bank. While a custom-designed piece will always cost more, it can be designed to fit into your kitchen decor perfectly.
Ready-made Counter Slabs: You can also purchase ready made top slabs in common sizes; these are usually expensive.
Sink and Stove Backdrops: Creating a decorative back-splash behind your kitchen sink is a very popular project. With just a few square feet of marble or granite tile, you can create a truly unique and gorgeous focal accent for your kitchen. The same application is very popular behind the cook-top or range.
Bathroom Countertops, Tub, and Shower Room: In the bathroom, two very trendy applications for granite and marble are tub and shower surrounds. These pieces are nearly always custom-created, and so they are pricier ways to use stone. However, the value they add, both financially and visually, definitely pays off.
Finding the Right Contractor
When working on any home-improvement project, it's essential to find a reputable, experienced and knowledgeable contractor. This is your home, after all, and you want the best for it. A sub-standard job will only leave you frustrated, and most likely with extra costs.
TrustedPros.ca, Canada's top home improvement oursourcing platform, has made it super-easy for homeowners to make the right hiring decisions for their valuable homes. Homeowners can join free, post their projects, receive bids from contractors in their area, and use TrustScore and other free tools to evaluate contractors and hire the best one.
Read our Hiring Guide to learn more about how to get the most out of TrustedPros.ca.
Posted by: Diane SheppardSuggested Reading For You
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