Marble comes from limestone, and is extracted using commonly known quarrying methods. It is available in many different parts of the world such as Turkey, France, India, Brazil, China, Spain and the United States. Because marble comes from limestone, you can expect it to have similar characteristics as limestone.

For example, if marble is left unprotected, it can be easily stained by anything that is acidic or alkaline. Fortunately, this problem can be easily overcome by applying a finish, which acts as a protective layer, over the surface of the marble tiles.

The marble tile that you see in the market for bathrooms are actually polished tiles. Polished marble tiles reveal a smooth and sparkling look. In fact, some tiles can be so well polished that you can even see your own reflection in the tile. That is the reason why when you walk into a posh hotel, you get a grand and majestic feeling. The chandelier in the lobby can create interesting effects that you have never seen before.

As a homeowner, you probably don’t need such stunning effects. Simplicity, practicality and affordability will most likely be what you are looking for.

You will come across two sizes – 12″ by 12″ and 18″ by 18″. You may be surprised to learn that using larger tiles cost just about the same as using smaller tiles. The price difference applies when there is a difference in quality, pattern, or country of import. Obviously, marble from China will most likely be more affordable than marble from European countries.

Marble tiles come in interesting patterns and colors. You will come across colors such as crema marfil,emperador dark, lotus beige, honey onyx, or white carrara. The color that you choose depends very much on the overall design of the bathroom, as well as your own personal taste.

Honey colored tiles tend to give a more expensive look because the tiles look golden. Grey will go with almost anything, and white can be used to create a modern and classic look.

Due to the unique characteristics of marble tiles, it is very difficult to duplicate the look. That’s why, after all these years, marble has been able to hold its prices quite well. That means homeowners still like marble tiles very much, and marble is still in demand.

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Ever walk into a hotel bathroom and wonder why you get such a grand feeling? That’s because the tiles are looking sparkling clean and have been well polished. In fact, you get the feeling that you are a VIP, walking into a luxurious room. Such is the feeling that homeowners are trying to duplicate in their own homes.

In general, there are four types of looks that you can achieve with natural stone tiles.

Look 1: Simple and smooth look.

This is a contemporary look, and is most ideal for modern bathroom designs. These tiles go best with modern bathroom vanities. They are smooth to touch, and do not have complicated patterns on them. The only decision you have to make is the color. Choose something that will go well with the overall theme.

Look 2: Smooth tiles with patterns.

An alternative to the first look is to use similar tiles, but with patterns on them. Patterns can be swirls that create a more elegant and classy look. Such tiles can help prevent the bathroom from looking too boring. Some homeowners like to use these tiles because they create a contrast with the simple looking bathroom vanities.

Look 3: Marble tiles for a more luxurious look.

Whenever marble is mentioned, you immediately get an idea of how the design is going to look. That is because we have all been exposed to marble tiles – they are so widely used! The patterns are somewhat subtle. Hence, these are the best tiles to use if you are going for a more luxurious and contemporary look.

Look 4: The mosaic look.

There are two types of mosaic tiles that you will find in the market. The first type is, of course, the traditional tiles that you commonly come across in bathrooms. They are available in many different colors and you can use them to create elaborate designs and patterns if you want to.

But if you want something more out of the ordinary, you can consider using the second type of mosaic tile – glass mosaic. Glass mosaic looks similar to ordinary mosaic tiles when installed. The key difference is that there is a shine that you can’t find in any other type of tile. Also, keep in mind that glass reflects light very well. Imagine light being thrown on the tiles and you will immediately get a good idea of whether the overall look is something that you want or not.

When it comes to glass tiles, playing with the lighting is the key to success. Creativity plays a huge role here. Consult your bathroom designer to see if (based on his or per professional experience), the tiles will look good in your bathroom with proper lighting.

Learn more about natural stone tiles and marble tiles – www.homedesignoutletcenter.com