Marble mosaic bathroom from Walker Zanger
People generally love natural marble for it's beauty, elegance and luxury appeal. However, they also maybe hesitant to use marble for their next remodel job, since it could be a lot of work.
If you are going through this process right now, you must be asking friends, family neighbors their experience and what they recommend. What you may hear are either really mixed reviews or be steered away from marble to "innovative" materials such as quartz or porcelain that don't require as much effort for maintenance.
Keep in mind that this method of steering you towards "innovative" materials is a sales trap from the wholesale and retail marble and granite stores. Quartz and porcelain is an easy sell, because they appearance is of the product is human engineered and very consistent.
It's harder to sell marble due to it's variation. One piece could be beautiful to you, but ugly to another and vice versa. This is why sales reps tend to "educate" the public of engineered materials over natural materials, since it's an easier sale.
Whatever marble elements you’ll use, there are some basic facts to understand. Marble is porous and it will stain when liquids (especially oils) seep between the minuscule spaces between the crystals, or pores. A sealer will reduce the number of pores, but not prevent them entirely. Sealers basically buy you time to clean up spills before they penetrate too far into the marble. Acidic substances can be particularly harmful.
Marble will also scratch and dull over time with use. If you are someone who prefers “pristine” then you may want to really think about it. The patina that develops is often the reason that some homeowners are particularly drawn to marble. Granted, you’re not going to be slicing and dicing on your vanity top, so scratching won’t be as much of an issue in the bath as it is in the kitchen.
For some, the scratches, etches, and spots that develop with use aren’t looked at as “flaws.” They’re expected… and desired. If you’re willing to accept the dull spots, you won’t have a problem. If you’re not okay with showing a little wear as your bathroom ages, you may want to reconsider. Choosing a honed finish over a reflective glossy finish, however, will make marks far less noticeable, so keep that in mind.
If maintenance is your biggest concern, here’s some basic information that will help keep your marble and granite looking great for a long time.
• Clean up any spills as quickly as possible.
• Be sure your marble is properly sealed.
• In the shower, keep soap scum to a minimum by using a squeegee after each use.
• Avoid bleach. It will break down the shine.
• Never use vinegar, lemon juice, bleach, bathroom cleaners, grout cleaners or tub and tile cleaners to clean marble.
• Clean a marble with warm, sudsy water and a nonabrasive cloth or sponge.
• For marble floors, use a dust mop often and use only a stone soap or soapless cleaner. Always rinse with clean water and dry. Avoid vacuum cleaners with worn wheels, as they could scratch the surface.
Hopefully after this article, it has helped you decide if man made products are more suited for you or natural marble and granite is the better solution.
In summary, if you are looking for simplicity and something that is just there, then engineered stones, quartz, porcelain is the fit.
If you don't mind a little extra work to have one of nature's finest products along with a story to tell, then marble is your absolute choice.
Below is a link on how to identify natural marble, and the man made or printed version. Trust us! There is a huge difference once you know!!!
It's like human cloning and natural birth.
http://www.mikolmarmi.com/blogs/news/77425857-how-to-identify-genuine-marble
