Satisfy Your Lust For Marble!
You have lusted after a marble floor for years. Marble's visual effect
is so beautiful and you can see it in the front hall of your home – making a
statement of beauty and originality. And now you're about to make your dream a
reality. But what kind of marble should you choose?
The first thing you should know is that no stone floors are alike. Stone
is an original gift from nature; tiles can be mass produced into similar
patterns and colours but if you want the real thing, you'll have to sacrifice
uniformity. And for most marble buyers, that's exactly the point. They want a
unique stone, with a shifting pattern of striations and colours. And there are a lot of choices in that
department – marble is quarried all over the world, with a rainbow of options.
You need to also think about where you are installing it. If it's for a bathroom, there may be
issues of slipperiness if the floor gets wet. You will want the surface
roughened a bit. In a kitchen, the same principles may be in play and, if your
usual entrance to that room is from the outdoors, you'll want to ensure that
dirt and grit is not tracked on to the marble, as it could dull or scratch its
finish. A well placed rug or mat is a simple way to solve that.
But a front hallway is probably a lower traffic area. So it's full steam
ahead…
Who to buy From…
Think about it. If you are buying an expensive cut of meat, wouldn't you
rather go to a local, trusted butcher and ask his opinion? Professionals enjoy
sharing their expertise, and dealers in marble are no exception. Find one for
whom marble is
a vocation – perhaps a smaller family firm– one that has been around for a while and clearly is
in the business of satisfying customers. Get their opinion on the cut and
quality of the marble. You are making a lifetime investment that is going to
enhance the beauty of your entranceway, and increase the resale value of your
home.
Does the retailer do installation? When you are negotiating price, what
add-ons are there? There could be extra charges for furniture removal,
demolition and removal of the old floor, preparation of a sub-floor, even for
production and delivery. How much will
the actual physical installation cost? Make sure you are factoring in all of
this! And, finally, make sure you've been educated on the proper care and
maintenance of your floor. Marble needs protection; it can stain or etch
without your ongoing vigilance.
Beyond Flooring
Marble has other popular uses beyond flooring and makes exceptionally
good countertops for vanities and in kitchens. With the latter, it has a huge
advantage in that it's hard, polished surface discourages any kind of bacteria
– and is immensely easy to clean properly. The downside is its propensity to
scratch; cutting should be done on a board.
Marble does require care and maintenance, but its pluses far outweigh
its negatives. With the right dealer on your side, you can set yourself up for
a lifetime of enjoyment.