Marble (bath room) flooring should be smooth finished or rough finished to make it less slippery?

Question

Mr. Lucky had won a lottery and he decided to make a nice bungalow with all marble flooring. The contractor assured him that he had used the best marbles. But Mr. lucky was not that impressed – the flooring was not that smooth. He was expecting a glass finish. The contractor told him that he had left it rough purposely or else one can slip on a glass smooth surface, especially in the bath rooms when it gets wet.

If Mr. Lucky consults you what will be your advice? Insist for a glass smooth finish or accept the rough finish; in either case he don’t have to pay the contractor any thing extra – it is all covered in the original contract. Though, he doesn’t have anything left now to pay you any consultation, please be generous; it at all he happens to slip down, he can’t even afford the medical expenses!
Note: There is no pun or hidden twist. Marble (bath room) flooring should be smooth finished or rough finished to make it less slippery? nb nair

There is an opinion that a smooth marble (or even granite) flooring when fresh is not slippery. It becomes slippery by the accumulation of dirt and/or oil and the growth of micro organisms/ fungi on this surface.

Dirt and oils can’t get easily stuck to a very smooth surface as it gets easily cleaned just by sweeping or moping. Hence a very smooth bath room flooring is less likely to become slippery.

We know that even the most rough rock surfaces on river beds become extremely slippery with the accumulation of mud and fungal growth on it.

So does it really mean that “The smoother the finish of the bath room flooring the less slippery it will be”? NB Nair.

Answer 1

As inane as your effort is, it would seem, anyone so inventive might assume the obvious.

PROCESSED marble is usually Glass smooth, for flooring or counter tops. It would be a custom situation, in tile or sheet for it to be left textured, from any milling operation.

The very notion that it's MARBLE would suggest glass, and anyone wanting texture, should probably not make Marble their choice. The substance of the stone is as fragile as glass as well.

What confuses me more however is your statement about the Contractor "LEAVING IT" rough. Without knowing if the floor is a single sheet (doubtful); or marble Tile, I suspect there are things in your question that are more like the game of clue than a question belonging in the DIY category.

I'll try to assume also that one might use something in a bath, such as a mat, to avoid slipping on wet. I guess; in the end; I'd call the contractor back and explain about LUCK.

Answer 2

For a bathroom - definitely rough. Smooth and shiny mean "Slippery when wet".

This, however, should have been discussed with you prior to installation. If you want a smooth shiny surface, have the contractor change it...just remember it will be slippery.

Answer 3

I personally prefer unhoned marble both for the look (castle like) and for the slip factor (I am a little clumsy with wet feet). I have, however, had clients who prefer the look of the honed finished marbel and they have very good health care policies. Mr. Lucky had better take a good look at the slip and fall clauses and his limits of liablity in his insurance policy to see if guests are covered, too.