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Marble tile ideal uses

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Marble tile ideal uses

Marbles are being used for flooring, fireplaces, vanities, and shower / bath tub surrounds. From a Marble Institute of America report it is noted that black and green marble require special setting material because of their tendency to curl and wrap when absorbing water. In food preparation areas or any areas where contact with acid bearing substances are present, polished marble is not highly recommended because household acids, even in small amounts, can etch and dull the polish. Other examples of these areas include bathrooms below toilets and urinals where the marble will remain unprotected by mats. The only exception for marble in the food preparation areas would involve the use of "tumbled" marble. Tumbled marble has no polished surface for the acid to etch. Be reminded that polished marble is very slick when wet and that penetrative sealing is always recommended.

Classification

If we are to evaluate a marble tile, it is helpful to know how the Marble Institute of America has classified this type of stone. The core of classification deals mainly with the ease or difficulty in the actual use of the classified marble. The veins that we see in some stone tiles like marble, limestone, and travertine are actually formed by the stone formation in the earth - a process known as metamorphosis. Even though the veins appear beautiful and decorative, these can be weakened spots within the tile. These weakened spots or faults are the reason why cutting and setting of the tile can be more difficult. These factors are the reasons that lead us to the classification of this type of stone tile.

Group A: This marble is sound, without the presence of faults
Group B: This type has small holes or voids that are polished by the manufacturer and is basically sound
Group C: This marble has faults and voids which are filled and sometimes reinforced at the time of manufacture
Group D: This type has many faults and voids making reinforcing normally mandatory

Despite the beautiful floor surface marble gives, it is not suited for large commercial areas or heavily trafficked areas. Marbles are soft by nature (scratching easily), highly absorbent (stains easily) and sensitive to acid.

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