Marmor: you may have come across the word before. If you haven’t, you may have heard of ‘lunar’ marble, which is the same thing as Marmor. Most people will recognise it visually due to its distinctive grey tones, but those that truly understand it will value it. One of the most beautiful and adaptable forms of marble, and with excellent porcelain tile replicas, Marmor is also one of the least understood. Let’s take a look.
Marmor is a type of marble that is usually grey. Marble is a metamorphic rock, meaning that it has undergone several changes during its evolution. Metamorphic rocks are therefore unpredictable, quirky, and filled with personality. A unique blend of minerals, salts, and geologic enzymes mean that Marmor emerges as a classic marble with other-worldly aesthetic qualities. Its grey tones have striking balance and poise, whilst offering a visual playground that many designers describe as ‘lunar’.
The faithfulness of porcelain tiles depends upon digital capabilities and the quality of the substrate. With all marble, the key is attention to detail. Marmor needs to have very highly attuned lines that clearly show where different minerals have interacted with the limestone. This is often forgotten by producers of porcelain tiles who do not have a good understanding of geology. Marmor veins will always be slightly mottled, and have a distinctive crystalline structure, so replicating it in porcelain means understanding the unique visual properties of the stone. The lines look soft, but in reality have very sharp edges. For porcelain to replicate marmor, it has to get these contrasts right, but when it works the visual effect is stunning.
If you are using porcelain, think about the size and shape. When working with natural stone, the ideal scenario is to have an unbroken line of Marmor. With porcelain tiles, you may accidentally end up with veins that are mismatched. This can rapidly undo the aesthetic appeal. Large format tiles – 600 x 1200 – are therefore often a good idea. These can be trimmed to fit the space, as well as blended to enable continuity.
If your project requires porcelain tile Marmor, ask for a sample from Kinorigo. You can also visit our central London showroom, which has close Marmor marble relatives available to view.