Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers
Lay a Marble Floor
For a luxurious floorcovering nothing beats marble as an elegant, durable and long-lasting material. Its timeless appeal makes it attractive in traditional and contemporary homes.

A tile installer will charge $1,880 to install 120-square-feet of 12-inch marble tiles in mortar in a 10-by-12-foot room. You can save half that amount by doing it yourself, but don't be tempted by the savings; it's a job best left to a professional installer, who has the skill and special cutting equipment needed for working with marble.

The project is not for a do-it-yourselfer because the success of the installation depends on the preparation of the subfloor; if it's not done correctly, the tiles will eventually crack. The floor should be stable and may require a cement backer board underlayment for the mortar bedding material.

Pro vs DIY Cost and TimeAlso, the high cost of the materials makes this a risky project for an inexperienced homeowner.

If you have to get involved, consider working with a pro. You do the grunt work of ripping up the old carpeting or flooring, and then let the pro install the marble tiles.

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