Marble Tiling

Polished marble has a glossy, reflective surface that shows off the colour and veining. Honed marble is smooth but matt, so it shows fewer scratches and is less slippery when wet. Many people choose polished marble for walls and honed marble for floors, but the right finish depends on the room and how it's used.

Every marble tile is different. Before fixing, tiles are laid out and checked so the veining and shade are spread evenly across the wall or floor, rather than ending up with a run of dark tiles in one corner. Order all the tiles you need at once so they come from the same production lot, and allow extra for cuts and for setting aside pieces that don't sit well with the rest.

Marble is softer and more porous than porcelain. Oils, wine, coffee and some cosmetics can stain it, and acids such as lemon juice, vinegar and some bathroom cleaners can etch the surface, leaving dull marks. Sealing helps resist staining but doesn't stop etching, so use a pH-neutral cleaner and wipe spills promptly.

Most marble needs sealing with an impregnating sealer, often before grouting to stop grout staining the surface and again once the grout has cured, then resealing from time to time. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for the sealer and the stone.

Marble is fixed with an adhesive suitable for natural stone. Light-coloured and translucent marbles are usually fixed with a white adhesive, because a grey one can show through or discolour the stone. Full adhesive coverage avoids hollow spots that can crack. Marble is often laid with thin, tight grout joints for a seamless look, which needs a flat surface and accurate fixing.

A marble bathroom suits walls, vanity areas and floors. In showers, marble goes over a fully waterproofed surface, with tanking in place before tiling, and a honed or textured finish gives more grip on shower floors. Marble floors need a stiff, level subfloor, because natural stone cracks if the base moves.