Home Depot sells marble flooring tiles (12″x12″) that are glossy and look great.
1) Does anyone know if it is some kind of coating that makes it glossy? Or is it glossy simply because it is ground & rubbed smooth?
2) Either way, does anyone know how well it will stand up to wear & tear (people, dogs, etc) before the gloss is dulled? (ie: is it actually a practical to use this stuff in an entrance)
3) If it is some kind of coating/finish that makes it glossy, can it be easily refinished? What is the coating/finish called?
Thanks in advance!
Replies
1) I may be old but I haven't subscribed to the large print edition of Reader's Digest yet. That was painful.
2) Do you mean that Home Depot didn't have anyone who could answer questions about the products they sell? WOW!
3) Marble is a form of limestone which nature has pressureized to become harder but it is still not as hard as many other ston products. The tiles are real marble and have been ground and polished to have that surface. They are serviceable but can be scratched. You can demonstrate it to yourself with a key on the demo model in the display. It is also possible to restore the finish but not easy. Just don't go dragging heavy furniture with nails sticking out of it across the floor.
They also have polished granite tiles which are generally harder. I actually had a HD salesperson try to convince me that some of their granites were Marble. Knowing that she was full'O'fluff, I asked her a couple roundabout questions that soon had her so flumoxed that she made up a story about needing to go to the office to return a call to another customer...leaving me in peace to find what I wanted.
piffin's right about marble (limestone) being soft. I know of no preapplied coating but I spose there is one. The marble I have put down was not coated but needed to be after install to resist stains. A honed finish is sort of a satin/semi gloss. This shows dirt/wear and tear a little less. If I had a stone driveway and kids with lug soled shoes, I would rethink this soft a material. There are some decent ceramic/porcelin lookalikes that might be more substantial. Not to say that the marble we've installed has been anywhere else but the entry, kitchen dining area. Mixed with some black Granite accents, whewwwwwwww. As long as you know it's limitations before you plunk down the change. Some marbles have quite a history. Had a product from Israel that had fossils way older than my MIL. It's a beautiful stone if you get down and look at it. But as many tile setters have said: " it's a floor for god's sake". Best of luck.
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Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/