Marble Stone and New Trends in the Home Decor Sector

“Marble Becomes the Millennial Rich Man’s Way to Say, “I Have Arrived,” the world business-news website, BW Entrepreneurs' Disrupt, said in an article.

The article analyses latest trend in home design and decor sector where people started using marble in their home as a stylish decor element. Buying a home is perhaps the largest investment a person makes in his/her lifetime. And they consider it as a status symbol to choose the best home decor, including the decor elements used for the walls and floors of their houses, in line with the car they purchase and the appliances they use in the home.

Earlier, marble purchase was done mainly by institutional customers such as builders and hotels, but today, a major portion of marble sales are for people’s home floors and walls. Well to do families now started thinking, “What better way to announce ones arrival in life than to build yourself a grand house, with marble flooring and tiles?”

The business sales analysts found that the niche segment within home decor is marble flooring and walls, which has lot of new customers in the individual home sector.

In accordance with the popularity of marble in home decor, the marble dealers have decided to make changes of standardization, quality control and fixed price for the millennial buyer. People are ready to pay for quality stuff, and a ‘fixed price and no bargain’ approach is the best practice for both the customers and the marble traders.    

This is applicable in the stone maintenance sector also. After making costly purchase of marble and other natural stones for their homes, people will not compromise with quality servicing. That is where reputable stone restoration companies like The Marble Man come into picture. They know people’s concerns and so provide ideal stone care methods for costly stone surfaces.

For example, stains will occur on stone surfaces as you can’t avoid spills in the kitchen or dining area. If the stone surface was polished after installation, the effect of the stain will be less. It can then be removed using professional methods. Even stubborn stains on your stone surface can also be cleaned using sophisticated stone restoration techniques. One should always deal with reputed stone restorers to avoid damage to costly and delicate marble benchtops and floor tiles.

To get a free stone repair/restoration quote, you can call The Marble Man now on 1300 627 626. You may also send a snapshot of your damaged stone surface and Marble Man technicians will guide you if repair is possible. For this you need to visit their website by clicking Here.  

Day to Day Maintenance Ideas for Marble and Other Stone Surfaces

Marble tiles and worktops are amazing home decor items and they add class and substance to any room in your home. However, one has to be very careful about the maintenance of marble surfaces. Marble is a very delicate and soft stone, and as it’s porous, it is easily etched by liquids such as vinegar, tomato juice, wine, orange juice, etc containing acids.

Use only pH neutral cleaning solutions to clean your marble surfaces – remember, never use vinegar to clean marble.  To clean the marble countertop or floors, prepare a cleaning solution by mixing three tablespoons of baking soda with one quart of warm water. Dip a cloth piece into the solution, wet thoroughly, then wring out and wipe the marble surfaces. Applying a little elbow grease on stubborn spots may help, but never use an abrasive cleaner. Allow the surface to air dry for about two hours. Wipe with clear water to rinse and then use a clean soft absorbent cloth to dry it off.

Oil and tomato spillage is removed with a sponge, warm soapy water and a little hydrogen peroxide. For day-by-day cleaning of marble floors, we recommend dust-mopping with a microfiber mop or soft cloth, and use plain hot water if you need to get rid of any marks or spots.

Immediately wipe off any spills as they will harm the marble surface. Never use strong cleaning products available in the market for removing stains on marble as it may further damage the area with discolouration. Here is a homemade cleaner you can safely use on your delicate marble surfaces. Crush a stick of plain white chalk into fine powder and apply it on to the marble surface. Apply it smoothly and make sure to overlap each stroke. Let it remain there for a few minutes and then rinse it off with a wet rag. If there are deep stains on the marble floor or countertop, get professional help to remove them.

The bathroom marble floors can be cleaned with a sponge, dish soap and water. It’s good to clean the marble floor and shower surrounds when leaving wet glasses or shampoo bottles sitting too long. Wash the marble tiles once in a week using a neutral pH cleaner. However, if your marble tile is extensively stained or etched, it’s advisable to call in a company that specialises in marble and other stone restoration. Restoration of polished marble involves the removal of dark spots, stains, scratches or damages from the surface of the stone by means of mechanical abrasion (diamond grinding).

While cleaning a marble surface, use a mop or cleaning cloth that is not impregnated with anything and ideally free of polish, cleaners, waxes or oils. And for the cleaning products to be used on the marble surface, get some advice from the experts like The Marble Man in Australia.

How to Select Natural Stone Tiles for Your Kitchen?

Natural stone tiles are an integral part of any home’s decoration. In fact, you will find natural stone the favourite of many interior designers. Stone tiles are mostly used in the kitchen and bathroom. Marble tiles are very popular to use in the kitchen as they are pleasing to the eyes.

Marble Tiles for Your Kitchen

You will find many different types and sizes of marble tiles. They range from small to large sized tiles. There are several styles and patterns for you to choose from. Mosaic and Teakwood designs of marble are the most used tiles in the kitchen. These tiles are often used for floors but you can also find them on the walls of the kitchen, oven vanities and kitchen sinks.

Influential Factors

The choice of tiles for use in the kitchen depends on many factors like the size of the room, your preferences for its interior design and how frequently you would like to use the kitchen. There are many options available for you. You can hire professional interior designers to help you with the marble tile layout and style. If you have a good aesthetic sense, you can also do it yourself.

Popular Kitchen Tiles

Popular marble tile types for the kitchen are teakwood marble tile that gives the walls and floors of your kitchen a natural look. This type of marble is ideal for busy kitchens. It can be fixed on floors or walls.  The ideal colours for a kitchen are grey or beige or a mix of both.

The teakwood polished marble tile is another type of marble stone that gives your kitchen a slick natural appeal. It is very strong and durable. If your kitchen has heavy traffic, you can opt for these tiles. They can be used for both walls and floors.

If you wish to give your kitchen a modern and luxurious look, you should opt for the mosaic marble tile. This type of tile can be used with porcelain or on its own. The sunset marble tile also gives your kitchen a luxurious and polished look. When you fix these tiles on the walls or the floors of your kitchen, you get a warm and modern look.

Maintain the Looks and Durability of Your Kitchen Marble Tiles with The Marble Man

Marble is a natural stone that has its own unique charm and appeal. However, it is very soft and can be damaged if not cared for properly. You should maintain it well with the aid of trusted stone maintenance professionals like The Marble Man- a leading marble and natural stone restoration company in the QLD and NSW regions. The skilled professionals there will come over and give you priceless tips and service to ensure your tiles gleam and look their best. 

The Marble Man can also be called for affordable granite and marble repair and restoration services and stone sealing whenever needed. Contact them today on 1300 627 626 for your needs and give your kitchen marble tiles the care and long life they deserve!

How to Preserve Your Natural Stone Surfaces Polished & Shining for a Lifetime

Does your marble, granite or other natural stone Kitchen Bench top or Vanity look dull, stained, dirty and etched from acidic substances? You should go for marble and stone floor or benchtop polishing, sealing and restoration. If you follow the stone care tips provided by stone restoration technicians, and also call them for occasional natural stone stone cleaning, polishing and repair works, then you can preserve your stone becnhtops, floor tiles, marble vanity etc. for a lifetime in excellent condition.

The fine pores in the surface of the stone overtime accumulate dust, dirt and other liquids necessitating cleaning of natural stone by professional stone cleaners. If you clean the stone yourself or call unskilled service providers, you won’t get the desired result as the work requires cleaning with stronger cleaners and specialty scrubbing machines.

Marble, granite and other natural stone surfaces are subjected several instances of wear and tear and exposed to other damages.

Smoke & Fire Damage: It requires thorough cleaning to remove the smoke marks. Only trained stone restoration specialists can use commercial smoke removers effectively.

Acid Spills on Granite and Marble: They cause etches or both etch and stain. After removing the stain, use clear water, wet the stone surface, sprinkle marble polishing powder, and rub with damp cloth or buffing pad attached with slow speed drill. Continue the process till the etch marks get disappear and the surface shines. It is better to contact the restoring company for removing the stains and etches.

Natural Stone and Efflorescence: It is the formation of powder on the stone surface caused by minerals in water. Use vacuum or dust mop the powder. Do not use water to remove as it may reappear. Contact the stone service people to restore it. The nicks and scratched on the surface may be buffed with dry steel wool and should be repaired and restored by professionals like The Marble Man who are experts in marble floor restoration.

                                                                                                                              

Contact The Marble Man stone restorers for top class marble restoration and repair, granite restoration and repair, limestone restoration and repair, travertine restoration and repair, and also the restoration and repair of onyx and terrazzo benchtops, bar tops and vanities. Their skilled and experienced technicians receive hands on, practical training on marble and granite polishing, stone cleaning and repair processes and are kept up to date with the latest techniques and technology.

Today The Marble Man team carry out more natural stone restoration and repair works in the QLD and NSW regions than any other stone care company in Australia. Once The Marble Man has finished the marble, granite and other natural stone restoration and repair processes, you’ll be excited to find that your stone surface has returned to its original beautiful condition. Call us for a free quote on 1300 627 626.  

Some Common Misconceptions about Marble Countertops

Since the days of ancient Romans, marble has been used as countertops. It is a design option that has no age, and continues to attract people of all types and ages due to its versatility, beauty, durability & functionality. However, there are certain misconceptions and myths about marble countertops that need to be addressed.          

Some of the popular myths about marble countertop are as follows:

Marble needs great maintenance: Every type of stone countertop requires some common sense maintenance on a routine basis. It goes well for the Marble countertop also. Like any other type of stone countertops, marble will also get damaged on abusing it. If you consider your marble countertop with due importance, professionally seal it after installation, then your maintenance will be very minimum- little more than a routine wiping after finishing all the work and reminding the people not to place the red hot pans directly on the countertop.

Marble is a very costly stone: Marble is not cheap. But the cost of marble varies greatly with the type of marble. Some marble types are rare and very expensive. Other types of marbles are abundant and less expensive. Marble countertops add real value to your home and if they are cared properly, they add value for decades thus serving even your great grandchildren as they did for you so grandly.

Marble looks great but it is not very tough: One myth about marble that circulates is ‘Marble is a look but do not touch type of material’. The marble stone functions excellent for cosmetic purposes like decorating or lining the walls of palaces and cathedrals but cannot put to work. This is the hardest to accept or understand of the marble myths as marble stone has been used for floors in heavy traffic areas for centuries. If it is capable of withstanding such traffic for so many years why cannot we use it as countertop as well? Yes it can be- even brilliantly.

Marble is easily prone to Staining and scratching: Contrary to this popular belief, marble is really a dense tough stone and cannot get stained easily. Sealing the marble countertops properly will reduce getting stains. If something get spilled and threatening to leave the marble surface, you can neutralize it adding a mixture of baking soda and water. Leave it overnight and then clean. Certain acidic substances like lime juice and vinegar may change the surface dull and etch the spilled areas, but if it is attended immediately it will not be an issue at all.

Marble counter tops are Unhygienic: Microscopic living beings are everywhere. Marble is not susceptible to undesirable bacteria than any other surface. If you are much concerned about this issue, you can make a point of cleaning your countertop with anti-bacterial soap during the normal cleaning.

Do not let misconceptions and rumours prevent you from considering marble as your favourite countertop.  Marble can imbue your bath and kitchen with prestigious look and ageless style, and it’s versatile enough to complete any home decorating motif. They get damaged and lose their beauty due to lack of maintenance and improper use. 

Contact The Marble Man for all your stone countertop issues and they’ll provide convenient and affordable marble restoration and other stone repair works. They service Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra, Newcastle and Central Coast. You can visit The Marble Man website or dial 1300 627 626 for a FREE quote on all your stone restoration needs.

Get the Best Natural Stone Repair & Restoration by The Marble Man

Who doesn't prefer marble over other natural stones when it comes to beautification of their dream house? In fact, it is the most widely used natural stone both at homes and offices where elegance and beauty is a major concern. Marble looks elegant and adds value to your home or office immediately on installation. But it’s good to remember that beauty comes with some hardships! Even though marble is hard as a stone, it’s softer than other natural stones like granite, and so the finish that we enjoy on our marble countertops and floors can be damaged over time. The greatest concern relating to marble is its proper cleaning and maintenance as well as timely restoration in case of severe damage. 

There is a popular misconception that being a stone, marble doesn't require any maintenance. This is far from the truth. Marble will scratch, etch and stain easily and also lose its shine and luster if not maintained properly. So, it’s clear that all marble surfaces need some type of care and maintenance. Your marble needs restoration techniques depending upon where it is used— floors, walls, countertops, vanities or shower walls. If you have a marble floor, wall, countertop vanity or shower that has become etched, lost its shine & beauty or is in need of repair, then it is probably time to call a professional stone restoration expert such as The Marble Man in Gold Coast. They extend stone care and repair service to several places in the QLD and NSW regions.

Now, the most important thing is to decide what exactly your marble surface requires once it suffered some damage. Should the floor be polished, crystallized or honed? In our previous articles we have discussed the difference between polishing, honing, grinding and crystallizing. So we do advise you to hire the services of a reputed marble floor restoration expert such as The Marble Man to ascertain the damage as natural stone restoration demands a great degree of skill and experience. 

The major difficulty with marble is that it is highly porous and soaks up any liquid spills immediately. It will also react with acidic and alkaline cleaners. Cleaners including vinegar, alcohol or any other lemon-based cleaners can be highly destructive and will etch the marble. The best way to maintain your marble floor, wall or countertop is to attend to the spills immediately using a soft cloth, mild liquid detergent and water premixed with baking soda.

At The Marble Man, Australia's top natural stone repair and restoration company, you not only get services according to your needs but also valuable advice and instructions from their expert technicians regarding periodical cleaning and maintenance of your natural stone. Their services are class apart and most importantly their after-care services and periodical follow up sessions give them an edge over the other marble care companies. For more information on marble polishing, cleaning and repair, give a call to this excellent stone restoration specialist on 1300 627 626 or visit their Website for a FREE quote.

Marble for Your Fireplaces- Care for Them with The Marble Man

Marble is a versatile and beautiful natural stone that can be used for decorating your home. You will often find many homes in modern times having marble flooring, countertops or fireplaces. It is very durable and carries an evergreen unique elegant appeal. Marble is not only known for its beauty but it is popular for its durability and cost effectiveness.

Marble for Your Fireplace-Elegant and Safe

Marble is also popular for its fire resistance and safety. This is why it is a suitable stone for making fireplaces in your home. A marble fireplace looks sophisticated and since it is not a combustible material you enhance the protection of your home. The marble stone is easily available everywhere. This means you do not have to spend a luxury on your fireplace.

Different Types of Marble for Fireplaces

It is very important for you to know about the different kinds of marble you can use for fireplaces. The popular marble stone types for a home fireplace are conglomerate, natural marble and micro marble. A fireplace made of natural marble is cut out, engineered and polished from the quarried sheets of marble slabs available in the market. This type of marble is available in many natural colours. If you are making a fireplace with micro-marble, you will find it is created in an artificial manner with resin. The third type of marble stone is conglomerate and like micro-marble this is man-made. It is prepared by using many big chunks of crushed marble assorted with different colours. Some of the widely-sought after colours of this type of marble are gold, black, peach, white, beige and gray.

Marble Fireplaces-  Opt for Machine or Man-Made

Marble fireplaces are made in a wide range of shapes and sizes. The best part of marble fireplaces is you can have one built as per your budget. You can opt for a marble fireplace that is machine fabricated or sculptured. Marble fireplace manufacturers give you many design options to meet and match the decor of your home.  The marble fireplace increases the resale value of your home too. However, it is very important for you to take good care of your marble fireplace if you want it to last long and look as good as new.

Call The Marble Man Team for Durable & Appealing Marble Fireplaces

The Marble Man is Australia’s number one marble and natural stone restoration specialists. The team at The Marble Man specialises in any kind of marble and natural stone restoration of residential and commercial premises. The team here are updated with the latest training and equipment to ensure your marble fireplaces last forever. You may contact these dedicated professionals on their toll free number 1300 627 626 or email them via their website for further advice and information on how you should take care of your marble fireplace today!