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MARBLE
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Average
Price: $4.75 - $6.50 / sq. ft.
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Imported
Primarily From Spain & Italy
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Marble
is generally stereotyped as a brittle stone. This is true
of some but not all of these stone tiles. Veins in the
marble will affect its density, the more veins the more
chance of breaking during installation. Marble is used
for many applications: inside, outside, shower walls and
floors,& vanity tops. Some of these tiles require
more effort and emphasis on sealing and resealing, but
if kept up with, marbles will stand the test of time as
well as most other stones. |
Marbles come in a variety of colors and patterns. Most
marbles come polished (shiny) but can be 'acid washed'
to strip the stone of its shine. This is commonly used
in tub surround and shower applications to hide the water
spots. A shiny marble in the shower will appear to have
more film on it than a honed marble. High traffic areas
will often be installed using a matte finished marble
to hide scratching and scuffing. A hallway installed using
a polished stone will appear dull in its traffic area
over time much like carpet will mat in those high traffic
areas. A shiny marble will show scratches and scuffs more
readily and will also be etched by any acid spilled on
it such as orange juice, pasta sauce, soda, etc. |
While re-polishing the area can bring the stone back to
its original appearance, this adds to general upkeep,
maintenance, & cost for this application. Typical
tile sizes range from 12"x 12", 18"x 18",
24"x 24", and several patterns such as the Versailles
Pattern. Sixteen by sixteen inch tiles can be found but
are not as common and harder to match at a later date
if needed. |
Marble
is a metamorphic rock, that is it was formed by pressure
as well as heat and movement over time. Marbles are actually
in the limestone family and started out as just that,
however marbles have been in the Earth for a much longer
period of time allowing for this metamorphic change. Marble
on a whole is more dense and lower in porosity than limestone
or travertine but this does vary from stone to stone.
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Installation of marble tile is not something your average
ceramic tile setter will be able to undertake. These tiles
are cut to such a strict tolerance so they can be installed
with as little grout as possible (typically 1/16"
or smaller). Prices for installation will range from $7.00
- $9.00 per square foot. Any price lower than this should
be scrutinized closely. Underlayment is a must prior to
installation and stone sealer should always be included,
these are not options. |
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