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MKH
Citizen
Username: Mkh
Post Number: 43
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Friday, January 20, 2006 - 12:51 pm: | 
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We are renovating a small master bathroom and are considering using marble mosaic tiles on the floor (polished on the regular floor; tumbled in the shower for more traction.) I was just looking on the web for cleaning tips on marble and I'm worried that these floors would be a nightmare to clean, especially in the shower where soap scum and mildew can build up. I'm wondering if I should reconsider my flooring materials. I do love the look of marble though! Any experience, advice, tips on effective cleaning . . . would be welcomed! |
greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 6594
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, January 20, 2006 - 1:00 pm: |
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This isn't exactly what you asked, but I hate marble bathroom floors in hotels because they are so damned slippery. A lot of water gets splashed around.
Also, we have a marble counter top in our kitchen. I put a plastic laundry basket on it with a small piece of excess plastic down on it and it scratched pretty easily. I don't know if counter/floor marble is done differently.
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MKH
Citizen
Username: Mkh
Post Number: 44
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Friday, January 20, 2006 - 2:04 pm: |
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Good points, Greenetree. I've thought long and hard about the slip-factor, which is why we're thinking of tumbled marble in the shower - that's not slippery at all. As for the rest of the bathroom, it's small so we won't be dancing around or anything in there and all of the grout around the small mosaic tile will provide a little more traction. I am, however, very concerned about the cleaning. I'm aware that you can't clean marble with regular stuff like Softscrub and Tilex, which I'm thinking would mean that we couldn't clean the ceramic walls or glass doors in the shower with this stuff either because it would get on the marble floor. I saw a lot of cleaning products for marble available on the internet and I'm wondering if any of them are effective. I also read that marble absorbs water, which could be a problem in the shower. Do sealers alleviate this problem? Anyone, anyone? |
peteglider
Citizen
Username: Peteglider
Post Number: 1719
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Friday, January 20, 2006 - 2:15 pm: |
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MKH -- check the gardenweb.com "home" forums under kitchen and bath. from what I've read -- marble is really impractical in this use. some granites and travertines have the same look -- much much harder stone. or look for the high end ceramic tiles (from Italy, Spain) that mimic the natural materials incredibly well, may even cost more! especially in this area with our ridiculously hard water -- worth thinking about twice -- Pete |
greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 6599
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, January 20, 2006 - 2:57 pm: |
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My dad & stepmom just did a "pebble" floor in their shower and it looks great. I was skeptical about how it feels, but it's actually kind of cool. It's expensive as hell, but I don't know that it is any more than marble.
It's a variety of "river" sized pebbles (quarter, half-dollar) smooth, flat side down set in cement. The colors are cool greens and blues, although I'm sure that can vary.
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doulamomma
Citizen
Username: Doulamomma
Post Number: 829
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Friday, January 20, 2006 - 4:50 pm: |
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I love the river stone/pebble look (& considered it but choked on the price for a bigger bathroom) - I think the price is similar to marble mosaic |
george H
Citizen
Username: Georgieboy
Post Number: 90
Registered: 8-2005
| | Posted on Friday, January 20, 2006 - 5:01 pm: |
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Dont forget the maintenance factor,as tumbled marble needs to be cleaned and re-sealed periodically. |
MKH
Citizen
Username: Mkh
Post Number: 45
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, January 21, 2006 - 12:37 am: |
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George,
How often does tumbled marble need to be resealed? Does this protect it from water seeping into its pores? |
george H
Citizen
Username: Georgieboy
Post Number: 91
Registered: 8-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, January 21, 2006 - 12:40 pm: |
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MKH,I believe that were talking about a yearly treatment although amt. of use as well as agressiveness of water can impact the wearing surface.A good penetrating sealer will literally seal the surface[incl.pores]and prevent staining.Personally,I think areas like bathrms.should be as maintenance free as possible and given that the lifespan of a bathrm. is 40-50 years,well thought out selections are important versus decisions made vis-a-vis pictures from design books or displays at tile stores. |
MKH
Citizen
Username: Mkh
Post Number: 46
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, January 21, 2006 - 12:44 pm: |
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Good advice, George. I'm leaning toward a ceramic tile floor in the shower. |
george H
Citizen
Username: Georgieboy
Post Number: 92
Registered: 8-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, January 21, 2006 - 1:34 pm: |
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That being the case,consider 3x3 tile for the floor of the shower as anything larger makes it difficult to obtain the quarter inch to foot slope to drain that you need.Even though they come on mats,they are usually spaced pretty uniformly versus smaller mosiac type of tile.Remember,tile doesnt get dirty,grout does.The larger the tile,the less grout lines,hence,an easier to clean and keep clean bathrm. |
MKH
Citizen
Username: Mkh
Post Number: 47
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, January 21, 2006 - 5:21 pm: |
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George,
Since you've been so helpful, I have another question for you. What I'm considering now are 1x1 glazed ceramic tiles for the shower floor - realizing that there's more grout to clean than there would be for a larger tile but at least I can use regular cleansers on it. My question is, do you think the glazed tiles will be too slippery? The woman in the store assured me that the grout lines would provide plenty of traction, and I really hate the drab look of the matte finish ceramic tiles, especially against the shiny white subway tiles I have picked out for the walls.
Thank you for all of your advice! |
george H
Citizen
Username: Georgieboy
Post Number: 93
Registered: 8-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, January 21, 2006 - 6:28 pm: |
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Personally,Im not a big fan of sm. tile.I feel that it looks too busy and that cuts around the drain and perimeter tend to look sloppy.I prefer to "celebrate the difference" by choosing perhaps a complementary {darker]tile with a matching grout.Dark tiles,if properly sealed,tend to appear cleaner longer, provide that you dont use a bleaching agent to clean with.So much for my opinion.Glazed tile are slicker by far but given the size of most showers,its not like your talking locker rm. floor.No matter what tile you choose,you would do well to install a grab bar on the rear wall, after of course,installing solid blocking to your framing so you have solid wood to mount it.I also put blocking in for towel bars,paper holder,soap-dishes,etc.rather than depending on plastic shields or other type of fastener. |
Antje Petersen
Citizen
Username: Hannah
Post Number: 16
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, January 21, 2006 - 9:34 pm: |
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take a look on this webpage
http://www.nanotol.com
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Pdg
Citizen
Username: Pdg
Post Number: 316
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, January 22, 2006 - 12:10 am: |
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I so regret using marble in our master bath! It is not easy to care for. We used porcelain tiles for the floor, inside and outside the shower b/c I wanted to be able to really get that clean.
However, the marble walls and ceiling of the double shower are difficult to clean. I've been told that you can use Glass Plus on marble (but NOT Windex! No Ammonia ever!) But the blue dye in that stains the grout if you're not really careful. I've also been told you can use Palmolive liquid soap, but that doesn't really do a good job either. I found a marble and stone cleaner at Home depot and stocked up on it, but I just wish for the heavy duty cleaning power of regular good old cleaners, like I can use in the kids' bathroom. As it is, I often have to use a soft bristle scrub brush to work at the grout.
I recommend looking long and hard at porcelain for your shower and floors!
Our two sink vanity has a granite counter top and it is much more durable than the marble. But I'd actually consider quartz if I had to do THAT again, too. (No sealing required, completely non-porous and looks a lot like granite.)
Good luck!
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Peter
Citizen
Username: Peter
Post Number: 172
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, January 22, 2006 - 11:18 am: |
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We just put marble floors in our master bath, with tumbled marble/stone in the shower. It's great. We've had it for six months and have had no trouble with the cleaning. Stella comes every two weeks and cleans it (we don't know or care how) and no trouble at all. PL if you'd like to come by and see it. |
MKH
Citizen
Username: Mkh
Post Number: 48
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, January 22, 2006 - 11:50 am: |
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PDG - I think I'm with you, at least about cleaning the shower. I do love the look of marble and I don't think I mind as much having the regular floor and vanity top require special cleaning - less scrubbing to do in those areas.
Peter - Thanks for the offer, but I think I've found a way to use ceramic tile in the shower and actually make it coordinate with the marble on the regular floor and countertop. (White ceramic tile on all the walls and on the shower floor, bottocino basketweave marble that has white pieces in it on the regular floor, white vanity with bottocino fiorito countertop . . .). Thanks everyone! Your input has been valuable! |
Pdg
Citizen
Username: Pdg
Post Number: 344
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, January 26, 2006 - 8:53 am: |
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http://www.home-fix.com/storefront/ContentDetail/DIY-data.asp?ContentId=143
http://www.royalcareservices.com/care_tips.htm
Peter, check the websites above if you are interestd in a list of "what can ruin a marble surface" over time.
Quote:Polished Marble looks beautiful, but an intriguing paradox. On one hand, marble is hard, durable and lasts for years. On the other hand, the polished surface can be marred by chemicals, stains and abrasion. Keeping marble in its magnificent, original state, takes ongoing tender loving care."
It may not be too late to ensure the proper care of your investment in beautiful marble!
Good luck. |
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