Everything You Need to Know About Marble Flooring
Updated: Mar. 10, 2022Marble flooring is timeless in style and beautiful in appearance. But how will it hold up in your home? And can you afford it?
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Can you imagine Michelangelo’s David being made of anything other than marble? The beauty of its natural veins combined with its durability have made marble a desirable material for millenniums.
But just because it’s timeless doesn’t mean it’s maintenance-free. Here’s what to know before choosing marble flooring and how best to care for your marble floors.
Marble Flooring Basics
Marble floors require upkeep and care to maintain their beauty.
Marble isn’t the hardest of surfaces — it’s rated at a three to five on the Mohs scale of hardness, depending on its composition — so everyday wear and tear from things like hard-soled shoes or dirt show up, especially in high-traffic areas.
And since marble is formed from limestone under heat and pressure over time, it is porous and can be stained or etched. Acidic liquids like citrus juices will quickly leave their mark in marble if not immediately removed, and grease and lotions can stain it.
The Best Way to Take Care of Marble Floors
Use only mild cleaning products on marble flooring. Avoid acids, along with vinegar or abrasive creams or powders. A damp microfiber mop with only water will be your safest, simplest way to clean. We love this O-Cedar spray mop that makes cleaning floors a breeze.
If you have stains from oily liquids like grease and lotions, use a poultice, found at any hardware store or made at home. Spread it on the stain, then place plastic wrap on top of it, taping the edges down with painter’s tape. Wipe it up the following day. More severe stains will need to be professionally removed, as will etches in the surface.
Make sure doormats are in place to avoid scratches and pits from dirt and grit.
And since marble is porous, marble floor tiles need to be sealed once or twice a year with a marble sealer, available at tile stores and home centers.
Is Marble Flooring Expensive?
Compared with other types of floors, yes. While labor and material costs can vary, expect to pay around $5 per sq. ft. for 12 in. x 24 in. marble tile. If it’s to be set in a simple square room, most experienced DIYers can handle the installation. But if a higher level of detail is required, a professional tile setter will be worth the cost of $40 to $65 an hour, since marble is not very forgiving to work with.
