Types of Marble for Your Bathroom Design
Choose among the different types of marble for your bathroom design can be a challenge. There are dozens of marble varieties on the market, with certain versions better suited to different aesthetics and uses than others. Here is an overview of some of the most popular types of marble to help you make your decisions.
3 Popular Types of Marble
Carrara. Carrara marble is one of the most popular marble choices for use in the home. Its appeal comes from its relatively neutral gray and white palette, the subtlety of its veining, and the fact that it strikes a happy medium between style and price point. Carrara marble gets it name from its origins in Carrara, Italy.
Calacatta. Calcutta is another beautiful gray and white Italian marble mined from Carrara, Italy. Calacatta, however, is a rarer marble and typically more expensive than Carrara. Though it can be found in a broad range of gray and white tones, the veining is often more dramatic and visible than in Carrara marble. Both Carrara and Calacatta marble make excellent bathroom flooring.
Breccia Oniciata. If you prefer your marble in warmer tones, Breccia marble is the way to go. It's primarily found in shades of tan, salmon, pink, and cream. Breccia marble has a number of practical applications in the bathroom, including floor and shower tile, countertops, and tub surrounds. It can be purchased in either tiles or slabs.
Upkeep of Marble Tile
Regardless of the marble you choose, it will be a showstopping, luxurious addition to your bathroom.
It is important to note, however, that marble is typically higher-maintainance than porcelain tile and engineered countertop surfaces, since it it porous. If you choose to go with marble in your bathroom, keep in mind that it may require regular wipe downs and polishing to maintain its coveted look.
While marble can be an acceptable flooring choice for the bathroom, because of its absorbent nature, we tend to recommend our clients choose a different surface, like porcelain tile, for a shower floor. That way, there is no chance the flooring will absorb colored soaps and washes, hair dye, or any potentially abrasive cleaners or products.