There’s a common scenario playing out in marble showrooms across the country. A customer spots a tile with a hairline crack in it or some cloudy streaks in the veining or some inclusions of a dark mineral that sit slightly proud of the surface. They point to it and ask if it’s a defect. And the honest answer, the one that takes a little explaining, is that it probably isn’t. Marble is a natural material. It is formed under conditions of almost unimaginable geological violence, so it is natural to assume that it might not always turn out perfectly. But marble has been sold for thousands of years, and during all that time, people have been buying it.
Now, it’s true that some imperfections are more noticeable than others. But it’s also true that most imperfections are quite rare and that those that do happen usually have a good effect on the stone. A hairline crack in the stone is usually an old fracture that has been healed by a new layer of marble. It’s a nice touch, and it makes the stone unique. For Marble Tiles, visit www.irwintiles.ie/marble-stone-tiles
Marble is the stone of choice for many architects. It is also the stone of choice for many DIYers. The reason is simple. Marble is one of the few materials that can be used at all stages of construction. For instance, marble is now often used as a cladding material in commercial buildings. It’s cheap and easy to install, but it looks good, too. On the other hand, marble is increasingly being used for countertops and vanities in kitchens and bathrooms. It’s harder to install, and it’s more expensive, but it looks amazing.