A marble bathroom, like any other thing made from this noble material, is primarily associated with us sincewe have antiquity. Marble sculptures of masters of Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome and to this day remain an example of harmony and beauty in art.
The antique style does not go out of fashion for many centuries: it's dresses in Empire style, and the facades of buildings decorated with columns, and, of course, interior objects made of marble. But modern housing, if it is not a three-story country house, does not have enough free space to accommodate marble statues and pedestals. But the place for a bath of marble can be found almost always, the benefit of choice and size shapes allows. In such a bathroom, lovers of antiquity can feel like real Greek gods, descended from Olympus!
How marble baths are made
If you decide to decorate your bathroom with a marble bathroom, then you have two options - a bath made of natural stone and artificial.
Natural marble is quite soft and pliable material that allows it to be given almost any shape( it's not for nothing that it's a favorite material of sculptors).Baths made of natural marble are made by cutting a font from a solid stone block. This is done, though not by hand, but with the help of special computerized equipment.
Advantages and disadvantages of marble baths
The main advantage of marble bathrooms is their unusual and stunningly beautiful appearance. Like any expensive, luxurious thing, a bath of marble, in the first place, serves as an indicator of the status of its owner, demonstrates its artistic taste and financial position.
In addition to being a magnificent bathroom decoration around which the whole interior is built, the marble bathroom has excellent "technical characteristics".
Noise isolation is one of the most important advantages of such a bath. The material from which it is made, perfectly muffles the sound of running water and therefore does not require additional sound insulation.
Another positive quality of marble baths is the resistance to high and low temperatures .It does not heat up, does not cool down, and, importantly, does not contribute to excessively rapid cooling of water.
Natural stone baths are characterized by resistance to bacteria penetration and contribute to hygiene maintenance of in the bathroom.
The disadvantage of baths made from natural stone is only two, but very significant. The first is the expensive , not everyone can afford to afford such a bath.
The second drawback is that the marble baths require the constant care of the .During operation on such a bath a lot of chips and cracks are formed, therefore, from time to time, it is necessary to carry out its restoration.
Baths made of light marble, eventually turn yellow. In addition, marble absorbs various colorants well, which causes spots on the surface of the bath to come from household chemicals and perfumes.
Molded( artificial) marble
Baths made of artificial, or, as it is also called, cast marble are made of a composite material based on marble chips, synthetic resins and dyes. Bathrooms of this material are in no way inferior to natural stone baths and even have some advantages.
The technology of manufacturing such baths allows to obtain a homogeneous material, without cracks and hollows of ( which are unavoidable if the bath is made of a single piece of natural marble).This makes the baths of cast marble more durable and wear-resistant.
Application of gelcoat for bath
Gelkuot is a varnish that covers the surface of a bath of cast marble even at the production stage. This is necessary for the finished product to become more resistant to external damage, pollution, temperature and humidity changes. In addition, the use of the gelucote determines the appearance of the bath. To produce multi-colored baths you need a color varnish, and for baths that imitate natural stone - transparent. The combination of a colored and transparent geluclotum makes it possible to apply intricate patterns to the bath surface.
Forms of marble baths
Marble baths are made, mainly, to order, therefore you can create a sketch of your future bath yourself.
These can be smooth, rounded lines or strict geometry;a roughly processed stone block with a hollowed hole or a polished modern jacuzzi. The choice is yours!
When buying, be sure to pay attention to the quality of the marble processing. The surface should be smooth and pleasant. Skolov and cracks should not be.
You can order a bath in the form of a pink petal or an ancient font - your imagination is limited only by your financialopportunities.
Marble bath in the interior of the bathroom
The presence of a marble bath in the bathroom "obliges" the rest of the interior to be matched. The usual faceless tile on the walls and plastic panels on the ceiling is indispensable, but to cover with marble tiles everything from floor to ceiling, too, should not be, otherwise there is a risk to recreate the interior of any of the subway stations. Therefore, we need to find a middle ground.
The marble bath can become the detail that will determine the entire style of the room .Depending on the appearance of the bath, it can be a classic, empire or some of the ethno-styles. Just select the appropriate trim and complete the appearance of the room with suitable accessories. By the way, accessories can also be made of marble. Small figurines, vases, toothbrush holders - the choice of all this in the stores is simply huge.
A large bath will become your pride and way of absolute relaxation. More information about the large bathroom, its features and installation, you can learn from our article about large baths.
Marble details the appearance of the bathroom does not spoil. Order together with a bathroom sink from the same material, they perfectly complement each other. Or choose marble countertops for furniture - matching in color or contrast.
Conventional acrylic plumbing is also perfectly matched with marble walls.
Marble tiles - a great material for finishing the bathroom, just can not resist it excessively addicted.
If you decide to lay out the floor in the bathroom with marble, then be sure to buy special mats, as it is easy to slip on the marble floor, leaving the bathroom.
Bathtub prices from marble
Marble bathroom - pleasure is not cheap. The price spread is quite large: the cost of a bath of natural stone starts from five thousand dollars, the cheapest bath of artificial marble can be bought at the price of acrylic or cast iron.
There are also baths of cast marble with a hydromassage. More information about bathrooms with hydromassage can be found in our article about whirlpool baths.
The cost of a bath of natural stone, primarily depends on the material from which it is made. The marble deposit is important here, the coloring( the more rare one costs more), the size and thickness of the stone. Add here the costs of transportation and handling.
The bath of artificial marble is much cheaper. At its price affects the shape, size, the availability of additional accessories, in short, everything that usually determines the cost of any piece of furniture.
Installation of marble bath
Marble baths are easy to install. They do not require special legs or frames, unless it is provided for in the design. However, the installation of such a bath is better to entrust to professionals.
Often firms for the manufacture and sale of marble products are engaged in their installation. The fact is that special tools for working with a stone are usually only available to professionals, and during installation it may be necessary to trim the edges of the bath or drill holes.
Care of the marble bathroom
Marble bath, especially made of natural stone, needs a special, gentle treatment.
To keep the bath as long as possible, you need to wipe it every day. In this case, hard brushes and sponges( especially with metallic fibers) and aggressive detergents should be avoided.
Many cleaning agents for plumbing have in their composition acid and abrasives, which will gradually destroy the surface layer of the marble bath. For everyday care, a soft sponge or a rag and warm water will suffice.
An important part of caring for a marble bathroom is polishing. It must be produced after cleaning with wax and turpentine. Usually a piece of woolen cloth and a special polishing wax are used to polish the bath, however, one can do the usual. To give a shine, the already polished surface of the bath is treated with turpentine. Usually a few drops are enough, but the more turpentine, the more glossy shine( just do not overdo it, this liquid has a very strong, pungent smell).
Once or twice a week, a marble bath needs to be cleaned with a product for the care of marble products. You can find it in any building hypermarket, or in a specialized store.
How to remove stains from the surface of a bath
A marble bath is a thing, although beautiful, but not very practical. She, as a living being, needs constant care and attention. For example, you need to constantly ensure that there are no stains from household chemicals, beverages, etc. on its surface, since getting rid of them is sometimes difficult.
If the bath is made of natural marble, then bleach will help to remove stains.
To artificial marble, bleach can do harm. The bath of cast marble can be cleaned with a solution of a mixture of ammonia and hydrogen peroxide. It is necessary to water the contamination with this mixture and leave it for a day.
More heavily soiled, for example, traces of rust, it is better to remove a special tool for cleaning marble products.
Conclusion
Only true connoisseurs of beautiful things can afford a marble bath, which will spare no money, no strength, no time to provide it with proper care and preserve it for a long time in its original form. But do not let this stop you, because the marble bath for all this will be paid a hundredfold to its owner.
Beautiful, high-quality bath in the appropriate interior can shock the imagination of even the most experienced spectator. And staying in such a bath will give you incomparable sensations.
