Is this floor marble or something else?

dharm999

The house we are buying has a hard tiled floor downstairs, but I don’t know if the tiles are marble or something else.  I’ve put an image below, can anyone confirm what the flooring is?

BarelySentientAI

It could be almost anything.  Could even be wet lino from that photograph.

dharm999

Definitely not wet Lino😀.  It’s hard and cold to the touch. How would I know if it’s marble, what do I look for?

Thanks

FreeBear

Google Images suggests that it is red marble, possibly of Chinese origin. Although, it appears that there are Spanish sources of a similar looking material.

FlorayG

Marble will etch with acid. Drop some lemon juice or vinegar on an inconspicuous spot, leave it a few minutes, wipe it off. If it's real marble there will remain an indelible mark
It also scratches easily with a steel knife

stuart45

dharm999 said:

The house we are buying has a hard tiled floor downstairs, but I don’t know if the tiles are marble or something else.  I’ve put an image below, can anyone confirm what the flooring is?

Have you asked the owners?

dharm999

Owners are abroad, so not easily contactable to answer questions. 

stuart45

There is a difference between marble and marble effect tiles, although I don't know if a tiler could tell for sure from a photo. I'd say they're real marble, but couldn't be sure.

ThisIsWeird

Are the tile's edges dead flat, sharp, and square, or even slightly rounded?
Not at all definitive, but real marble is cut, ground, flattened, so would originally have sharp cut edges, whereas porcelain is cast in moulds, so will likely have slightly rounded, at least non-sharp, edges.
I think?

mlz1413

Looking at the size &style of tile and the style of house in the image, ie arched porch, lots of wood and the front door glazing, it says its 70/80s and so should be marble. 

Are you sellers the ones who put the floor down? If so ask the question,  the EA must be in contact with them. 

Are you planning to keep and worried about the upkeep?  As they look in stunning condition so you could ask how they look after the floor. (Or ask for the cleaners number )

Vectis

dharm999 said:

Owners are abroad, so not easily contactable to answer questions. 

Wow, where are they that's so remote that they can't answer an email or text message?

Ask via the agents.