How Durable Are Marble Thresholds?When it comes to building projects, saving money on every expense adds up. Penny-pinching almost always results in a higher profit margin. The idea of buying building materials for the least amount could be said to be the number one priority for builders and contractors. However, not everything cheap will always serve as the better choice, especially when it comes to building projects.

The Need for Thresholds

Take for instance thresholds. It is as necessary component needed to brace a doorway. Without it, a doorway could sway causing instability to the entire structure. It also serves as a barrier for keeping the elements from coming inside or out as well as preventing debris from invading a home or office building.

Little building components like the threshold play a huge role in reducing energy costs as well. On a cold winter day, without a proper threshold barrier, temperatures inside a dwelling can drop significantly causing your furnace to work harder in order to keep up with the desired temperature. For the warmer climates, an improper threshold can eat away at the cool air-conditioning on a sweltering hot day forcing your electric bill to work overtime.

So thresholds are as crucial to a building project as nails! Because it is a component that is often looked over and literally stepped on or over, it’s not usually considered an important piece within a building project. Builders and even the buyers hardly take notice in it. Thresholds just need to be there!

Types of Thresholds Used by Builders Over Time

In the earlier days of building, it could be said that people found out the hard way why thresholds are so necessary. Soon after, wood became the primary material as there was always plenty of it to go around. However, the trouble with wood is that it eventually rotted, especially if it is used as a threshold. Being placed at the bottom of an entryway so close to the dirt only attracted bugs, termites and other wood-barreling critters. Eventually, the wood thresholds would have to be replaced with a fresh wood threshold.

After awhile, that got old and builders became even smarter, realizing that a more durable material needed to be used for thresholds. As resources grew plentiful, different types of metal was found to be more suitable. Aluminum tends to be the primary choice for some builders today because it’s strong enough to resist decomposing, yet cheap enough to buy without busting the budget.

Even with aluminum, thresholds still need to be replaced over a period of time. Aluminum is indeed a stronger material, but when enough pressure is applied, it can also be a malleable material. So depending on how often an entryway is used will determine the frequency in how often the threshold will need replacing.

The Strength of a Marble Threshold

For builders who prefer to unburden themselves and their buyers of this responsibility, marble thresholds is definitely a building material to consider. Incorporating marble thresholds into a build will prevent a property owner from having to replace it ever again. It’s strong enough to endure a high amount of traffic without looking worn and scuffed. Furthermore, once marble thresholds are installed, they will maintain its resilience by not bending, no matter how much force is placed upon it (with the exception of a catastrophic and/or natural disaster).

Where Does Marble Come From Anyway?

Marble is primarily made up of limestone, but what makes it unique is the metamorphic process it undergoes in order to become the slick stone that we recognize as marble. Marble is formed deep within the earth and created over a long period of time with the assistance of an immense amount of heat from the earth’s crust that causes the limestone to actually melt. During this process, other materials in the earth melt along with the limestone. These other minerals like calcite and dolomite slowly mix together during the melting process.

After awhile, the heat decreases causing the melted minerals to recrystallize, re-forming itself into a new kind of rock—marble! Since this is a metamorphic process, the making of natural marble stone is organic. This means that there will be different color variations of marble depending on what kinds of other minerals were melted with the limestone.

Because there are several variations, marble is placed into certain categories. To learn more about the different types of marble categories, it is suggested to find a marble threshold wholesaler to educate you on the kind that would be most suitable for your building project.

Standard Sizes for Marble Thresholds

Marble thresholds come in the common dimensions of 2” x 36” with a ¼” bevel.  Widths can range anywhere between 4”, 4 ½”, 5”, or 6”. The thickness of a marble threshold usually ranges from 3/8”, ½”, 5/8”, or ¾”. The standard sizes are often available in 4”, 5”, and 6” in width, 5/8”. Some marble wholesale distributors have threshold lengths in 48 or 60”.

What Kinds of Marble Should You Stock?

As a building material seller, determining what kind of marble thresholds to stock can be tricky. As aforementioned, marble comes in different color variations. Builders have to cater to the request of their client’s preferences, each having the possibility of being unique. It can be said that it would be impossible to stock everyone’s needs, but with Stonexchange, it is actually possible.

Stonexchange is a wholesale marble distributor of thresholds and window sills located in Miami, Florida. As a wholesale distributor, Stonexchange has learned which type of marble is in high demand in today’s market. Based on this, Stonexchange stocks only the most sought after marble thresholds that can be shipped out at a moments notice. To view our online catalog of marble thresholds, click here. If you have any questions regarding how to order marble thresholds in bulk, call us today at 305-731-2400 or ask us a question online right now!