Marble is naturally porous so it’s easy to have wine and dirt stains damaging its porous surface. To date, there is no way you can seal its surface efficiently.
Some marble sealants end up masking the stone’s texture, making it feel like plastic. They may yellow after some years and discolor the floor. So what is one to do? Here’s a great tips and advice on choosing an alternative to marble flooring: terrazzo.
Terrazzo is a close marble alternative, it is made from marble chips randomly mixed with an epoxy binder.
Once they harden, the surface is ground down to a smooth durable finish that resembles natural marble but without its weaknesses. Some manufacturers leave the tiles to cure for a week or so in steam rooms, which promote all the best qualities of the binder.
Installing them is best done during major refurbishment as it is specialized work. Terrazzo tiles, which are thinner and lighter than in-situ terrazzo, can be laid with less disruption and give similar effect.
Terrazzo comes in many patterns and colors, involving mono and mixed marble as well as random glass chips. The size of the marble chips used – from large marble chunks to tiny marble pebbles – also creates interesting patterns.
It used to be very popular as a flooring material in the 1950s and 1960s, so speckled marble patterns in grey or rust can look very retro.
The trend now is to mix in glass or pearlescent chips to add a glamorous glitter underfoot that is ideal for halls and living rooms.
Repairing and replacing terrazzo should invariably be left to experienced contractors, especially when large areas are concerned.