info replied on Wednesday, July 8, 2009 01:40 PM
There is no disputing the alluring charm of marble – be it pure white or the other pleasant hues that this stone is available in. But on the flip side of all its aesthetic grandeur is a long list of vulnerabilities that plague surfaces adorned by natural marble stone; and this perhaps is the reason why the ever opportunistic market-place has conveniently chosen to shift loyalties to some of the more recent entrants into the fray – Porcelain Tiles.
One might wonder what could possibly affect natural stone – it’s ‘stone’ after all!! But what must be kept in mind is the fact that even rocks are susceptible to natural elements and are subject to weathering; similarly, surfaces covered with marble tiles are prone to several factors that can make their very purpose rather short-lived. Ever seen stubborn ugly scars on marble tiles that refuse to leave, or small dents that not-so-heavy articles seem to make on it, or even small pieces of the tile chipping especially on the stairway? Marble if left on outer portions of structures are prone to corrosion owing to which they fade in color too. Call it Mother Nature’s attempt at not being too harsh on us humans or otherwise, fact remains that marble tiles are expensive to maintain.
In contrast, Porcelain Tiles are manmade but its components are entirely natural. Made from fine clay and quartziferous soil among other materials, it is created using completely environment friendly procedures. But the biggest advantage lies in the fact that these tiles are virtually maintenance free! Other positives that outsmart the traditional marble tiles are durability, scratch and slip resistance and near-zero water penetration – no more stains! The loyalty shift is well justified by all means!
Experts place the life span of marble tile flooring at an average of five years, after which it can be polished again to retrieve at least some of its lost beauty; this however is not a procedure that can be repeated endlessly since polishing entails scraping off a layer of the already weak tile. As against this, most builders provide a guarantee of a minimum of fifteen years for porcelain tiles. Being toughened, porcelain tiles are difficult to damage but even in this unlikely event, these are well concealed owing to the consistent nature of the tiles.
Another hurdle that faces marble tiles is the inability to manufacture tiles in very big sizes – being 'soft' they break easily. Also, most builders are reluctant to lay marble tiles in high-rises due to their brittle nature. Porcelain tiles on the other hand come in sizes as large as 1200mm x 1000mm and even bigger in the commercial market; this in turn helps reduce laying costs since they can be laid quickly and these do not need any further treatment. Larger tiles also give an illusion of space due to the absence of grout lines and their hardy nature adds to the versatility since these can be installed just anywhere! |
