marble slabs is better. the less grout and lines and the larger the slab the more grand the space looks.

Youre not doing a floor in 3cm marble 5x9 slabs. They would break on install, and be no way to get even get them laid accurately without a crane. And there is no reason to do 3cm. 2cm 4x4 slabs is about as large as you’re going to find that has a hope of being used as a floor.

Now, you can do 4x8 porcelain slabs, as long as you don’t do polished. And youre willing to pay over $100 a square. That is actually and realistically being done.

Yes, you are correct. The Marble slab will be a 2CM slab. And the size will be 4x4 max.

Large slab is beautiful. We are contemplating about safety issue given its in a residential high traffic area. So, we wonder if 18 x36 inch is a better option to go.

Thank you for your responses

I would consider honed, and if anything is wet? Yes it still could be a slip hazard. With either.

You have cleaning help , I hope.............: )

EVEN 24 x 48...........or smaller

Thank you very much for the beautiful photos. Just talked to the cleaning professionals, they advise against marble for flooring, esp. for high traffic area ;-)

What is a good alternative practical material to use and can achieve the dolomite white marble look? It has to be suitable over the existing hydronic floor heating.

Most of the white porcelains (dolomite look alike ones) I found seems to not be as white as dolomite white. I was told that it could not be achieved because porcelains base is a clay material. It wont be as white as the natural dolomite or marble stones. Is this correct? Or, if there are porcelains I overlooked in my research.

Thanks.

How do you mean by "no honing" for floors?

Large format porcelain is available as 5x10 slabs. Its mostly dine on walls, because if the difficulty doing it as floors. It doesn’t like going from vertical to horizontal any more than stone slabs do. Large pieces tend to break during the vertical to horizontal transition.

Any of this will be over $100 a square. Some will approach $200 a square, to get the subfloor suitably reinforced, stiff, and FLAT. Major structural and prep required.

My local tile independent has a 30”*60” ‘dolomite’ that I use often but yes it’s a pain to install and I’ve never used for floors. Marble has been used for millennia for floors but you have to have realistic expectations about how it ages.

Heavens. You want marble, do marble. Add rugs....make certain the heat goes on slowly, and WELL after install, or cracks can be an issue.

At some point, you need to pick a poison. No porcelain "white" will ever look like Thassos. Not going to happen. there is always just a tinge of dingy....: )

Thank you everyone! Very valuable inputs! Thanks for helping me to navigate through our research questions and thought process. I know what to do now.

@Winnie S , what did you end up choosing? I am looking for the same. Any pointers much appreciated.

@Winnie S What did you end up doing? Would love to know or see the results!

Am not a fan of marble flooring in any fashion. It just doesn't seem to hold a good polished finish as well as other stone.