Why Marble Might Be Wrong for Your Bathroom
You love its beauty and instant high-quality appeal, but bathroom marble has its drawbacks. Here's what to know before you buy
Marble has been used by master craftsmen throughout the ages to adorn palace floors, ceilings and walls. Although it was once a show of wealth and power, today marble tile is a feature in many everyday homes — bathrooms in particular — all over the world.
The question is, should it be?
Because there’s a finite amount of marble in the world, it’s become more difficult to find quality marble for a home design project. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of this beautiful material, and some things you should watch out for when you’re considering putting it in your bathroom.
The question is, should it be?
Because there’s a finite amount of marble in the world, it’s become more difficult to find quality marble for a home design project. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of this beautiful material, and some things you should watch out for when you’re considering putting it in your bathroom.
Marble basics. Marble is a metamorphic rock that’s been used for thousands of years. Each piece of marble is different — the variety in veining and coloring is often considered its best trait. Marble tile can have an even or less uniform look, depending on the type and quality of marble you purchase. Most high-end marble has a very even color palette with soft veining. The look — like in this shower — is elegant, soft and uniform.
This installation has a marble with a more pronounced vein (most likely Calacatta) for a less uniform look. This can be just as appealing, due to the unique shapes and details that the stone creates.
Learn about the differences between Carrara and Calacatta marble
From an installer’s point of view, the closer to Italy and Greece a stone is sourced, the better it will hold up in a wet environment. I’ve also noticed that more veining often indicates a higher iron content, causing the stone to change in appearance over time.
Tip: If you cannot find or afford Italian marble, a good-quality porcelain tile might offer a similar look.
Find a bathroom designer near you on Houzz
Learn about the differences between Carrara and Calacatta marble
From an installer’s point of view, the closer to Italy and Greece a stone is sourced, the better it will hold up in a wet environment. I’ve also noticed that more veining often indicates a higher iron content, causing the stone to change in appearance over time.
Tip: If you cannot find or afford Italian marble, a good-quality porcelain tile might offer a similar look.
Find a bathroom designer near you on Houzz
The advantages of marble. Marble is very easy to work with. It is a softer stone that can be milled, machined and tumbled, which means it can have multiple uses. This bathroom features honed Carrara marble tile around the shower walls and curb, as well as along the lower walls surrounding the freestanding tub. Marble can also be found topping the double vanity and set in a herringbone pattern on the shower floor.
Read more about this bathroom
Typical cost: $100 to $300 per square foot, installed.
Read more about this bathroom
Typical cost: $100 to $300 per square foot, installed.
The disadvantages of marble. Because it’s a soft stone, marble is very absorbent. For example, if you dye your hair in a marble shower, the dye can stain your shower floor. Many people choose another durable material, such as porcelain tile, to complement marble for this very reason.
Marble is easily etched by acidic materials, such as lemon and certain cleaning products. If you want to use marble in your bathroom, I suggest testing lotions and other bath supplies on samples to see if there’s a reaction. For this reason, marble isn’t the best choice for children’s bathrooms.
Hire a stone cleaner to properly clean your marble
Marble is easily etched by acidic materials, such as lemon and certain cleaning products. If you want to use marble in your bathroom, I suggest testing lotions and other bath supplies on samples to see if there’s a reaction. For this reason, marble isn’t the best choice for children’s bathrooms.
Hire a stone cleaner to properly clean your marble
Special considerations. Because marble contains minerals, there's always the risk that its iron content will turn to rust in a bathroom. A beautiful installation can be ruined when the iron buried deep in the marble discolors from humidity and moisture.
I suggest performing a soak test to make sure the marble you're considering will work in your bath or shower. Simply put the tile you're considering into a bucket of water for two days, and then take it out and let it sit for two more days. Observe any changes carefully.
I suggest performing a soak test to make sure the marble you're considering will work in your bath or shower. Simply put the tile you're considering into a bucket of water for two days, and then take it out and let it sit for two more days. Observe any changes carefully.
Warning: If you are selecting a sheet tile or small marble tile pattern attached to sheets, know that in any shower renovation, 95 percent of the back side of the tile needs to be in contact with the thinset (tile concrete). Thinset is often installed with a notched trowel, and not all tiles — including many marble sheet tiles — can reach 95 percent coverage.
Maintenance. In my opinion marble should be sealed with a quality sealer and maintained on a regular basis. Avoid using strong cleansers (nothing acid based) to prevent etching or damage to the sealer. Soap, water and a good nylon scrub brush will do the trick.
I always offer porcelain tile as an alternative to marble. Many porcelain tiles look like marble and offer more durability in showers and steam showers.
I always offer porcelain tile as an alternative to marble. Many porcelain tiles look like marble and offer more durability in showers and steam showers.
Here you can see the effects of a quality sealant on an Italian marble shower.
Tip: Make sure not to get sealant on the edges of the tile before grouting. This can result in a poor bond between the grout and the tile’s edges.
Find a tile and stone expert to regularly seal your marble
Tip: Make sure not to get sealant on the edges of the tile before grouting. This can result in a poor bond between the grout and the tile’s edges.
Find a tile and stone expert to regularly seal your marble
Sustainability. There is only so much marble in the world, and there are some suppliers of poor-quality or unsustainable marble. Quarrying and transportation can contribute to a big carbon footprint if you haven’t done your research.
More on Houzz
8 Things You Didn’t Know About Italian Marble
10 Reasons to Work With (and Love) Black Marble
See more marble bathroom inspiration photos
More Houzz guides to tile
More on Houzz
8 Things You Didn’t Know About Italian Marble
10 Reasons to Work With (and Love) Black Marble
See more marble bathroom inspiration photos
More Houzz guides to tile
