Options for reusing marble from refurbishment works
Marble features in thousands upon thousands of buildings around the world. As a natural stone it is known for its longevity and beauty. But what happens when a building undergoes significant refurbishment and the original marble has to be removed?
Lifted from floors or stripped from the walls, this marble could be viewed as a waste material, as shocking as that sounds. This doesn’t mean it’s thrown away, but generally it is used in construction, for example as road aggregate. However, this is still not an ideal outcome. And there is another option: to give marble another life. And that’s where Diespeker comes in.
Diespeker has been working with reclaimed marble for some years, to create stunning contemporary floors and precast products such as reception desks and vanity units. Generally, these projects are for commercial applications, but the same principle can be used in a residential setting.
The first stage of recycling marble is careful removal from its original setting, to prevent unnecessary breakage or contamination. Handling the stone without due care can bring all sorts of issues, so this is an important stage in the operation. Slabs and offcuts are lifted, stored and transported to Diespeker’s factory where they can be processed for reuse.
Once at the factory, the marble is assessed and prepared. There are two main options for reusing marble:
The first is to crush the marble into small chippings or large chunks. These fragments can then be used in a terrazzo mix to create a random pattern. The design can range from subtle flecks to bold, expressive surfaces, depending on the size and proportion of the recycled stone used.
The second approach is more architectural. Larger pieces of reclaimed marble can be cut into squares, rectangles or other geometric shapes. These are then laid in a more organised configuration prior to the terrazzo mix being poured over. This method creates a structured pattern. Potentially this could reference the building’s heritage, adding another layer of meaning to the recycling process.
Poured in situ
After processing, the recycled marble is returned to site, either within the terrazzo mix, or placed by hand ready for the mix to be poured over in situ. This poured floor method allows for a seamless finish that is both robust and aesthetically pleasing.
Poured terrazzo is particularly suited to refurbishment projects because it can be installed across large areas with minimal joints. Once it has dried it is ground and polished to reveal the recycled marble, creating depth and texture.
Precast
Recycled marble can also be used for other applications besides flooring. Prefabricated terrazzo elements such as reception desks, stair treads, shelving, cladding or feature plinths are manufactured at Diespeker’s factory. A reception desk incorporating the building’s original marble, for example, then becomes a tangible link between past and present.
Why recycle marble?
The benefits are both practical and aesthetic:
Credentials: it clearly ticks the recycling box. Reusing existing marble reduces the demand for newly quarried stone and offers a better option than landfill or use as a construction material. For projects targeting sustainability benchmarks, this can make a meaningful contribution to environmental credentials.
Character: it retains the building’s original character. Occupants and visitors may not immediately recognise the source, but there is an authenticity in using material that already belongs to the building.
Aesthetic: it looks beautiful. Marble, even when crushed, has a luminosity and variation that brings terrazzo to life, creating a finish that feels totally individual.
Durability: Terrazzo is renowned for its longevity and low maintenance requirements. By reincorporating reclaimed marble, the material is not only preserved but strengthened for decades to come.
In refurbishment projects, recycling marble is more than a sustainable gesture. It is an opportunity to turn removal into reinvention and to ensure that this stunning natural stone continues to shape the space in a new and purposeful way. Diespeker has the expertise to fulfil a variety of projects using the skills of our artisan factory team.
If you have a refurbishment project and would like to discuss the potential of using recycled marble, other natural stone or even rubble, please do get in touch. Our team can create samples to help you decide if this approach would work for your vision.
Call or email us to arrange a visit.