If you’re looking for a luxurious and timeless flooring option, then Carrara marble tiles might be right for you.
This type of tile is often used in high end homes and hotels around the world because it’s so beautiful and durable.
But how do they work? What are the best ways to clean them? And what should you keep in mind before installing them? If these questions have been puzzling you, read on!
1. What are Carrara Marble Tiles
Carrara marble tiles are one of the most popular types of marble for flooring and other applications.
The quarries from Carrara, Italy have been found to be as old as 400 million years, with its opal white stones being symbolic fixtures in many grand villas and homes throughout the world.
It’s a type of Marble that is recognized for its unparalleled beauty and can rightly be called a true work of art.
These tiles are not only softer than stones but they are also less porous so they are very easy to keep clean because dirt does not cling to them as much as it does with stone.
The major advantage of Carrara marble is that it has the same hardness, durability, and workability as traditional materials while being economical due its availability in blocks and slabs-requiring reduced energy usage when cut compared with products like granite.
2. How to Identify Real Carrara Marble Tiles From the Fake Ones
Real Carrara tiles will have a variation in tones from deep white to pale beige. Real marble is not too porous with the veins being visible but not pronounced.
Real Carrara marble has a high gloss and is very reflective of light, giving it very unique and distinctive translucency which cannot be replicated by synthetic products.
Synthetic products will more often show variances in tone as lighter spots or dark patches on the surface of the product; they also produce streaks when moved across them. They also lack true translucency and reflectivity.
Fake Carrara tile offers an uncanny resemblance to real Carrara Marble due to its hard surface (even though it is worn more quickly), yet these differences can help you identify the real Carrara tiles from the fake ones.
3. How to Care for Carrara Marble Tiles
The best way to clean Carrara tiles is an all natural, non-toxic product. Simply mix water with a little pure white vinegar, the solution into a spray bottle, and go destroy that nasty tile grout.
After scrubbing down your tiles generously dilute water with white vinegar in the diluted solution, spray the mixture onto the tiles, wait for about 10 minutes or so and then rinse it off.
You can do this in sections by spraying in one spot let it set take another section try not to overlap when you are cleaning multiple spots please please don’t use soap!
And also please avoid using any products containing chlorine bleach wherever possible because even though they leave the surrounding area extremely clean but will damage the Carrara tile stone.
Read also: How to Clean Marble Floors
4. Pros and Cons of Carrara Marble Tiles
Pro: It’s a natural material made from limestone and gypsum ore. The size of the blocks is chosen so that it doesn’t require too much pressure to install them.
The installation of Carrara tiles is also relatively easy, as all you need to do is attach the tiles one on top of the other.
Con: It can be subject to etching or fading with use and has a tendency to stain if not properly protected against staining materials such as oil-based paint and ink.
Cleaning can also be difficult, especially on highly textured surfaces where the accumulation of dirt and grunge might create an uneven surface for clays and treatment products to cling onto during cleaning sessions.
5. Where to Buy Carrara Marble Tiles and What You Should Know Before Purchasing Them
Purchasers of marble should always ensure they are buying the natural stone (a category that includes Carrara tiles).
Marble tiles may look like natural stone but if they are made from PVC, any chemical weathering could cause them to break down. Always check labels to see what materials the tiles were manufactured with before making a decision.
Thicknesses vary but thicknesses should be no more than 1/4″ in order to avoid cracking and other durability issues for flooring while blocks used for countertops can be up to 3″ thick because it’s not very bendable.
The type of cutting also matters-polished corners will look better than chipped or cut tile, so always pay attention when selecting products.
The best places to find Carrara tiles are at your local hardware stores. These stores should carry everything in one central location, so it’s usually quite easy to find what you’re looking for.
6. Questions You Should ask a Flooring Professional Before Making a Purchase Decision
First, you need to know the type of flooring. Carrara tile is made for heavy foot traffic and will last longer than many other types of floor coverings. Second, ask the installation question.
Is the service included or do you have to hire a contractor? How much would that cost? Third, if possible ask about warrantees; how long are they? What does it cover exactly? Who can I contact with any problems during this period?
Finally, ask them about cleaning products. Are they environmentally friendly?
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