Why Is Marble So Popular?

Marble is one of the most popular types of stone used for flooring and wall tile around the world. But why is it so popular?

Marble Tiles

Known for its distinctive appearance, marble is a metamorphic rock formed deep in the earth’s crust. It’s created when limestone undergoes a transformation as a result of being subjected to intense pressure and heat. Once this recrystallisation process is complete, what you get is marble, often occurring in large deposits.

The marble stone’s history and use in early civilisation can be traced back to ancient Greece and Egypt. During this time, natural marble, scoring 3 on the Mohs Hardness Scale, was widely used for creating statues and constructing monuments. This is also around when it was used for tile flooring.

In the modern days, its applications largely vary. Although also used in the chemical and agriculture industries, marble is popular in architecture and interior design. Natural marble has a timeless charm, prompting many homeowners to use it for floor and wall tiles in their buildings.

Why Is Marble Popular?

1.  Elevates the look of a home

As marble tiles evoke elegance and luxury, they can effortlessly lend a sense of grandeur to any room in your home. They can blend in with most interior styles. Whether you’re going for a room with a more classic look or a more contemporary one, marble tiles are a suitable choice.

Due to marble being a natural stone and having a striking appearance, installing marble tiles in your home can enable you to boost your property’s value. Marble tiles also reflect light, giving the illusion that a room is more spacious than it seems. Even as simple as adding marble skirting can help create a seamless effect between the wall and floor, making a room look bigger. This ability and its subsequent effect further add resale value to your home.

2. Withstands high temperatures

Marble tiles are particularly heat-resistant, making them an ideal option for fireplaces or kitchen countertops. Heat-resistant tiles are vital in homes, as they can perform well and maintain resiliency even through conditions involving high temperatures. The heat from everyday cooking can decrease the quality of countertops made of less resistant materials. Thus, kitchen countertops require high-quality, heat-resistant tiling. Otherwise, you’ll get countertops or fireplaces that can be easily damaged over time.

3. Available in unique designs

While marble is mostly known for its classic white appearance, it is also available in other variations. With its wide array of colours, patterns, sizes and more, there’s sure to be a marble type that can suit the tastes of different homeowners.

White marble tiles are popular in bathrooms. Their classic look can instantly give your bathroom a luxurious air, which is why they’re often used in hotels and large residential homes. A well-known type of white marble is Calacatta, which has a smooth appearance with grey veining. Grey marble tiles, due to their colour, hold up well against stains. This makes them perfect as kitchen backsplashes or floor tiles in locations of your home with heavy traffic. Black marble tiles are elegant and artistic, helpful for when you want to make a statement through your flooring or wall tiles. With black marble tiles, you can easily create contrast and add a modern feel to a room. Other than black, grey and white, marble tiles are also available in other colours, such as green, brown, yellow, red and pink marble tiles.

4. Easy to install and maintain

Installing marble tiles is quite easy to do. The installation process is similar to when you install other types of tiles. It will involve prepping the subfloor and mortar, laying the tiles, grouting and sealing. In terms of maintenance, regular sweeping and mopping are recommended. You should also place some rugs and mats on areas with heavy foot traffic to protect your tiles from scratches or abrasions. Additionally, make sure that you thoroughly dry your kitchen backsplashes or shower tiles to prevent them from staining.

Marble vs. Other Tiles

Marble, due to high labour costs and its unique qualities, can be quite expensive. For those who want to install marble in their homes but are looking for more cost-effective tiling, there are several options to choose from. One of these is porcelain. There are porcelain tiles that appear just like marble, making them an ideal alternative for homeowners. What’s more, porcelain tiling is highly durable and can withstand heavy foot traffic. This also means that they aren’t easily prone to scratches and cracks.

Another option for homeowners is ceramic floor and wall tiles. Like porcelain, ceramic tiles are durable and ideal for locations with heavy foot traffic. In terms of difference, ceramic tiles are softer than porcelain tiles, making them easier to cut and install. Ceramic tiles are also typically less expensive than porcelain. When it comes to heat and water resistance, however, porcelain tiles have an edge over ceramic. But in terms of lifespan and cleaning, both are on the same wavelength. And like porcelain, ceramic tiles are available in various designs and patterns that mimic the appearance of marble. Installing blue marble ceramic tiles, for instance, can make a lasting impression on visitors and elevate the look of your home.

Marble Tile Ideas

If you’re set on installing marble, marble ceramic or marble porcelain tiles in your home, here are a few ideas you can use:

1. Marble mosaic floor tile

Mosaic tiles, with their interesting geometric patterns, can help you make a room stand out. They’re akin to art and can easily add depth to a room. From coloured marble mosaic floor tiles to classic neutral shades, your options for room decoration are nearly limitless.

2. Herringbone marble floor tile

Herringbone marble floor tiles are versatile. This trendy tiling with a fishbone pattern opens up the space, making it a good option for smaller-sized areas.

3. Marble effect hexagon tiles  

Aside from giving a modern feel to your home, marble effect hexagon tiles are great for highlighting a specific part of your room.
For enquiries and assistance on the best tiles to get for your home, contact Beswick Stone today. We offer a wide range of marble effect porcelain tiles that you can choose from and more.