Floored by marble

Most home-owners use marble to not only increase the value of their homes, but also because marble is a reflection of beauty and taste that is unparalleled. It is famous for dramatically changing an insipid space into a luxurious one.

A marble is a metamorphic rock formed by alteration of limestone or dolomite, often irregularly coloured by impurities such as clay, silt, sand or iron oxides which were originally present as grains or layers in lime stones.

It is used especially for homes, offices, countertops and sculptures. Textures of marble depend on the form, size and uniformity of grains.

The chemical constituents of marble determine the colour of the marble. Generally calcite and dolomite marbles are of pure white colour. Black and grayish shades are due to graphite; pinks, reds are mainly due to the presence of manganese oxides or hematite.

In India, two varieties of marble are used, mostly Indian and Italian. Marble in India is mostly sourced from towns of Rajasthan such as Makrana, Kishangarh, Jaisalmer and Banswada and from Katni in Madhya Pradesh.

Imported options

The imported marbles are mainly from Italy, Turkey, Egypt, Oman, Greece, Vietnam and Spain. The most popular among them is Italian marble. The best white marble is from Greece and Vietnam. White marble from Vietnam contains 99 per cent calcite, making it one of the purest marble varieties in the world.

Turkish marble is a combination of a creamy and brown shade and is now hugely in demand for residential flooring. The basic marble size range starts from 10 to 15 sq ft and goes up to 200 to 250 per sq ft. Some Makrana marble varieties start from Rs 500 per sq ft and some imported marble varieties like the Satvoria marble can go up to Rs 2,500. The price is dependent on the natural character of the marble. Presently the demand for imported marble has increased manifold as compared to Indian marble.

Apart from blocks and slabs, the Indian market is flooded with a plethora of choices for marble tiles. Marble floor tiles are used for both interior and exterior flooring applications.

Installing marble flooring for your homes and offices is ideal for your needs. Though expensive, marble flooring is extremely durable and lasts much longer than any other type of flooring. Marble is treated with stain resistant sealant which makes it durable. It is advised to re-treat it with sealant after every 10 years.

There are many marble flooring options in the market today. They come in many patterns, styles and colour schemes. This broad range of colours and style options makes the use of marble floors practical for many different types of room designs. 

To top it all, marble has hypoallergenic properties, which few flooring options have. It is naturally resistant to bacteria and the collection of allergens such as pet dander, pollen and other elements. It is also very easy to clean. Mild soap and water takes care of most spills. But marble is not stain proof. Hence any spills must be dealt with as quickly as possible. Strong acid stains can be dealt with professionally. They are otherwise absolutely maintenance free.

Marble floors stay cool even in hot summers which make it ideal for warm places. For all practical purposes, marble flooring is ideal for residential as well as commercial use. With its wide variety in colour and design, it adds style and elegance to any space. Because of its unique designs and characteristics, it can never go out of style.