When many people are asked if they would like marble flooring in their kitchens, bathrooms, foyers, or other rooms in their house, their first reaction is often, "Why would I spend all that money for something that nobody will notice?" While marble is very popular right now for countertops, it has fallen out of fashion somewhat for flooring in new construction, even though marble floors continue to be one of the most impressive features in older homes that are 50, 60, or even 75 years old. ...

For hundreds of years, marble has been one of the most popular materials for flooring, kitchen countertops, and showpiece slabs. That's because marble is beautiful, durable, and elegant. While marble is a stone, it's actually softer than other stone materials such as granite, tile or even concrete. So marble is more prone to chipping, staining, and chemical etching. As a result, marble requires more maintenance and care than other materials. Still, with proper care and a few simple precaut...