What are Marble Tiles?

• Marble is a natural stone formed through heat and pressure. The sedimentary stone limestone, made up primarily of calcium, is subjected to enough heat and pressure that it transforms into marble. Workers quarry marble in large blocks and then cut them down into slabs, blocks and tiles. These tiles can be polished to a high sheen, honed to a flat finish or tumbled for an antiqued look.
  
  Marble comes in a wide range of colors, including green, pink, blue, gray and red, and features veins of additional colors. The stone is porous but hard enough to withstand polishing.
  
  

Sizes of Marble Tiles

• Marble come in sizes beginning at mosaic and going up to 24-inch squares. Many colors of marble come in pre-cut and stocked sizes, but you can have any marble custom cut to the size you need, including 3/8-inch and 5/8-inch mosaics; 1-inch, 2-inch and 3-inch netted tiles; 4-inch squares; 3x6 and 4x8-inch subway tiles; and 6-inch, 8-inch and 12-inch squares. As larger tiles grow in popularity, it's easier to find marbles in 12x24-inch and larger sizes.
  
  

Care of Marble Tiles

• Marble is a soft and porous natural stone. No matter what factory finish it has, you must care for it properly to maintain its beauty over time. Keep marble tiles as dry as possible, wiping up spills and water as soon as you see them. Wash marble with gentle, neutral pH cleansers, and sweep or damp mop regularly to remove debris, which could scratch its surface. Protect entryways with door mats.
  
  Seal marble at least twice a year with an impregnating sealer to protect it from stains. Use topical sealers to deepen and enhance the color of the marble, if desired.
  
  

Uses of Marble Tiles

• Marble is a suitable tile for many installations inside the home. Install marble in entryways, living room and family rooms, hallways and bathroom floors. Marble makes an excellent kitchen backsplash and works well on powder room walls. Marble can cover fireplace surrounds as hearths, as well.
  
  While you can install marble in showers, both on the walls and on the floor, you must take extra care to maintain it there. Squeegee marble walls after each shower and seal it up to four times a year to prevent staining from the water in the shower.