It is a well-known fact that marble stones have been used in making houses and buildings since time immemorial. The trend continues till today with marble tiles in vogue. They not only appear like the original stone, but also impart unique appearance to the house. If you want to beautify the residence, here are a few steps that can be taken for the installation and the maintenance of marble flooring:
Choice is the key for the users:
Prior to the installation, one should know that there are two types of marble flooring namely traditional and tumbled. The former is polished and shiny that imparts classy look to the ambience while the latter comes with beige and milky tones. It is quite buffed and earthy to attract the attention of the users. One of the most important advantages of the tumbled marble is that it is available in larger sizes and works quite well in kitchen and large accommodations. In fact, the final choice depends on the individual requirements of the users.
Installation:
The first step in installation is to taste the floor boards in advance to ensure that they are sturdy. If the floor doesn’t have enough strength, it may crack due to insufficient grout.
In addition, the slope should not be present on the floor. It has to be leveled to provide the desired results to the users.
In case the floor is not sufficiently sturdy, it is important to reinforce the surface in an impeccable manner. Additional layer of ply board makes it immune against the numerous pressure and pulls.
One needs to check the center of the room and inquire about the layout of the marble. It is bound to go a long way in removing tiny edge at the other end of the floor.
Moving the line away from the center would do a whirl of good to have equal spaces on both the sides. In fact, the whole structure bears a symmetrical appearance as the starting tile occupies the center.
After the application of the mortar on the surface, one needs to place the marble tiles in a modular way. It is important to select the starting point and spread the mortar accordingly.
One of the most important steps that should be taken into mind is the usage of the mortar in the seams across the board.
While placing the tile, make sure to leave a space of 1/6th inches to impart a unique appearance to the floor.
Once the mortar is dried up, you can seal the marble with the help of neutral PH seal. It should be applied periodically after every 12 months.
Types of sealers:
Topical sealers consist of urethane and acrylic materials that are placed over the natural stone marbles. They play a very important role in preserving the shine of the floors and protect the marble from wear and tear.
Marble tile sealers penetrate into the stone and prevent the leakage of the oil and spillers. Along with the sealers, it is vital to use the cleaners so that damages to the stone are prevented. Such sealers last for a very long time and help to extend the longevity of the marble flooring.
While placing the tiles on the floor, one should use a rubber mallet, a hammer with a soft head. It is primarily deployed to press the mortar close to the tile surface. Tapping too hard is not advisable or else the marble may crack easily over a period of time. In addition, do not forget to place the tile spacer before moving to the installation of the next one.