Giving the impression of nobility and elegance, marble has served as a distinct pillar in architecture for thousands of years. Whether it be used to sculpt a dazzling three-dimensional piece, serve as the floor of a palace, or provide the finishing touch to a dream kitchen, marble never seems to disappoint.
As a stunning countertop, marble is the ideal material for most kitchen renovators. However, its use as a floor tile is not as popular as it once was. In the following article, we look at how people these days view marble flooring, how it’s use has evolved, and how best to use it in a modern house.
Marble flooring is not considered outdated in terms of style. However, the cost, maintenance, sustainability, and incongruity with certain more modern decor styles mean that it is not always a practical choice.
Results of the Survey
Our team took to social media to conduct a mini survey on marble flooring. Specifically, we asked people if they considered it to be outdated.
The responses were nigh on unanimous—far from being outdated, most responders considered marble flooring to be beautiful, elegant, and timeless. However, a good portion of those who commented in our survey gave this description in a certain context.
What I mean by this is that people consider marble flooring to be timeless and beautiful in more formal settings such as capitol buildings but if placed in a 20th century farmhouse, this same feature would be incongruous.
Furthermore, there was definite feedback regarding the cost of marble and its fiscal practicality—or rather, the lack thereof—in today’s homes.
Reasons People Consider Marble Flooring Outdated
High Cost
Marble flooring might not be outdated in terms of fashionability and style but it is a feature of the past because so few people can afford to install these types of floors.
Historically known for its beauty and elegance, marble flooring has forged a spot as one of the more high-end architectural luxuries. Just as you might imagine, marble is priced accordingly at $10 to $15 per square foot with specialty marbles as high as $40 per square foot!
Marble is priced so high because it comes from a naturally cut, quarried stone. All of the slabs used for the flooring are typically cut at the same time to be used for that particular batch. This makes the color-matching of marble very difficult, especially if replacement tiles are needed.
Maintenance Requirements
In addition to a higher initial cost, marble flooring requires considerable upkeep, which can prove to be costly as well as time-consuming. Most manufacturers of marble will recommend getting your floor sealed. While this will give it protection as well as a glossy finish, it tends to get scratched up.
Unlike the royalty that marble used to be associated with, most people don’t have servants to provide around-the-clock care to their floors. In the long run, the cost of resurfacing and servicing your marble will add up making it less magnificent than you may have first thought.
Sustainability
As mentioned already, marble is a natural stone. This means that people mine it as opposed to manufacturing it. This makes it non-renewable, just like coal or natural gas.
Not only does this mean that finding marble may become increasingly more difficult and expensive, it also has environmental implications that the “green” trend of society may not support.
Limited Style
Marble flooring is typically associated with a luxurious and elegant style of decor. Rustic, industrial, boho, and other styles would not necessarily match with a marble floor.
Thus, marble floors are not outdated, they are just not the ideal choice for all modern expressions of style.
Why Some Consider Marble Flooring as Timeless
Although it has the tendency to wear and tear easily, marble flooring has many positive aspects that cause many to describe it as timeless.
The fact that it breaks down relatively easily often draws people in as it reflects the character of the material and the household itself.
Being a naturally quarried stone makes marble stand out among its competitors. Each slab is uniquely cut and cannot be copied. Although some floors may appear like marble, some of the other characteristics cannot be replicated and, therefore, fall short of the grandeur that marble provides.
Another distinctive quality of marble is its translucence. This is especially true in lighter shades of marble as the light is able to penetrate through and reflect off of it well.
Additionally, marble is an excellent conductor. Marble stone absorbs and radiates heat giving a room a cozy feel despite the minimalist expression it often gives off. Conversely, marble floors can also feel cool to the touch during the summer months when the AC unit is running.
All in all, the versatility and refined look of stone marble floors are timeless. In the correct setting with proper installation, I doubt anyone would complain with marble floors of their own.
The Style of Marble Flooring Has Evolved
While marble flooring may not be outdated, it can depend on the pattern and color of the marble. In the past, darker and more textured marble was preferred. Much of the marble flooring seen now is of lighter hues with less complex patterns in order to fit the desired ambiance of a room.
One of the more popular white marble flooring options is called Carrara. This material was used in ancient Greece and Rome in statues as well as pillar architecture. Now, it comes in limited hues of a warmer white as floor tiles.
Calacatta is another white marble but is closer to a pure white with gray veins. White marbles such as these are often used in smaller spaces such as hallways because they tend to visually expand the room.
Although white marble is still very popular, gray marble has become more and more favorable. Whether it be in the living room or your bedroom, gray marble creates a warm yet productive ambiance that is hard to beat.
Best Rooms to Install Marble Flooring
Serving as a continually popular location for marble flooring is the kitchen and dining room areas. In addition to the floors, marble countertops and islands typically match to complete the look of an elegant cooking and dining area.
However, when installing marble floors in these areas, remember to finish the installation with a proper sealing finish. Marble is a porous material that is very susceptible to staining. In an area that deals heavily with food and drink, this is something you want to make sure is taken care of.
Bathrooms are another good place to put a marble floor. Again, much like the kitchen, be sure to get a professional installation with a seal so that the water doesn’t erode or damage the stone.
Many spring for the Carrara white marble for the bathroom as it brightens the entire room as well as your own appearance. Furthermore, you should consider the finish because slippery bathroom floors are dangerous.
If you’ve got one, a foyer is another great place for a marble floor. If you frequently have guests, what better way to make a strong first impression than inviting them into a lovely, marble-filled space.
Finally, hallways are another good place for a marble floor. Although there isn’t much to them, the flow of home decor can be brought together with a beautiful marble transition. The type of marble for hallways is a bit trickier, however, as the color scheme is dependent on multiple rooms instead of just one.
Should You Use the Same Marble Throughout a House?
The answer to this question is based on your own preference. If you like one style of marble then, by all means, use that same marble throughout. However, there is nothing wrong with mixing and matching different color marbles.
Also, keep in mind that one tile of marble is never exactly the same as the other. With that being said, even using the same type of marble, the matching isn’t always completely uniform. This gives the homeowner a level of freedom to experiment and see what looks best, even if it’s not exactly the same shade.
At the end of the day, it does come down to your own personal preference. It’s hard to go wrong with such a beautiful and elegant material as marble.
Sources
https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/most-timeless-design-trend-36941734
http://carolinaflooringservices.com/blog/flooring-trends/marble-floors-are-they-worth-it/
https://www.bobvila.com/articles/marble-flooring/
https://www.builddirect.com/learning-center/flooring/where-to-install-marble-tile/
https://www.homesandgardens.com/news/marble-home-design
https://sorheguitile.com/the-timeless-beauty-of-marble-flooring/
https://www.theriverguild.com/the-timeless-appeal-of-marble-flooring/