Features of flooring with natural marble, the advantages and disadvantages of floor coverings from this stone, types of material, laying technology and rules for caring for such surfaces. Depending on the method of stone processing, marble tiles are divided into the following types:
- Glossy tiles … Reflects light well. It is often used to create decorative elements in the interior. The main drawback of the material is that it is very slippery, therefore, as a rule, it is not used for flooring.
- Non-slip marble … Such tiles are used to decorate pools and bathrooms. The material is treated with special solutions that retain the properties of the tile even when water gets on it.
- Sanded Face Marble Tile … Such elements are most optimal for use in residential premises. They have a rather bright sheen, but they do not slip like glossy ones.
- Porcelain based material … Such tiles contain ceramics, which makes their cost significantly lower than high-grade marble tiles. But it is worth noting that they are not as reliable and durable.
Marble tiles of non-standard shapes are produced. Such elements can be of different colors, have different thicknesses and sizes. They are used to create ornaments on all types of surfaces and for mosaic patterns.
Tools and materials for marble flooring
It is recommended that you trust the laying of marble on the floor to professionals if you are a beginner and are not confident in your abilities. The material is quite expensive, so its damage due to improper installation is highly undesirable.
In order for the laying of marble floors to be of high quality, the following tools are needed for work: several levels, stars-dividers for tiles, gloves, rags. A grinder is suitable for cutting material.
Tiles are laid on a cement mortar, and the joints are processed with white Portland cement. You will need sponges and a rubber scraper to clean the floor after finishing the installation.
Technology for installing marble tiles on the floor
To date, there are three ways of facing rooms using marble tiles. The first is laying the material on a metal frame. Raised floors can also act as a frame. But this method takes a lot of time and effort, and, moreover, it is not very reliable.
The second is the installation of tiles using an adhesive composition. It is used a little more often than the first one. The third type is the fastening of the material to the cement mortar. This method is the most common.
It is quite simple to make a marble floor using mortar, the main thing is to clearly follow the finishing scheme:
- First of all, we prepare the floor: the working surface must be flat, all cracks and irregularities must be smoothed out. If necessary, the floor is treated with a primer. And before starting laying work, the surface must be washed.
- Using the levels, we check the horizontalness of the base. If the floor is slightly damp after cleaning, allow some time to dry.
- The next step is to lay out the marble tiles in order to accurately see the volume of work and cutting. It is worth remembering: a distance of more than 7 mm between the joints of the tiles is not allowed.
- The next stage is the preparation of the cement mortar and its subsequent application to the floor.
- After laying the tile, you need to press down well and use special crosses to distinguish it from the neighboring ones. You need to press it carefully so that the solution does not go beyond the joints.
- After the installation is completed on the entire surface, allow time for the solution to dry. This usually takes about two days.
- The penultimate step is grouting. Not every grout available at a hardware store is suitable for working marble. Choose a grout that is designed exclusively for this stone. Before starting the process, you need to moisten the space between the tiles.
- The technology of a marble floor is simple and, in order to properly grout it, it is best to use the mass application technique - the solution is evenly distributed over the entire floor using a rubber scraper.
- After the end of the procedure, all grout residues must be removed.
- Once the flooring is dry, the tiles should be rinsed well.
Marble floor care tips
Caring for your marble flooring is a very important process. First of all, in order to avoid the risk of scratching the floor, it is necessary to install protective covers made of silicone on the furniture legs.
If liquid is accidentally spilled onto the marble floor, it must be removed immediately. Especially if these are drinks with bright colors. Also, contact of tiles with agents with aggressive components - cleaning and chemical solvents - is undesirable. If they get on the marble floor, then the structure of the tile may be disturbed, and the stain will not be removed from the stone.
To avoid such situations, you need to treat the floor with a special solution that will slow down the process of destruction and tarnishing of the marble.
In order for the coating to retain its ideal original appearance for as long as possible, it should be regularly cleaned with water. If desired, you can add a little non-aggressive cleanser to it. It is strictly forbidden to use powders and creams containing abrasive particles or acids for cleaning marble.
At a household chemicals store, you can purchase a solution specifically designed for the care of marble surfaces. Clean the tiles with a soft cloth!
If you polish your floors regularly, dust and dirt will not collect in the joints between the tiles. The protective floor covering must be renewed once a year.
How to make a marble floor - watch the video:
If you decide to tile the floor with marble or marble chips, then first study all the technical and operational characteristics of this material. In terms of their wide color palette and texture, such slabs have no analogues among stones of natural origin. The floor covering is reliable and will last for many decades.
