What is Marble?
Home interior specialists have made marble the trending stone of the 2020s. However, long before that, many cultures used it to create monumental structures that have withstood the elements. You can share in the beauty of the Taj Mahal and the Pantheon, as the polished beauty of marble brings a timeless elegance to your home.
Marble is a natural stone composed of limestone & calcium carbonate. It arrives from quarries in slabs. Manufacturers cut slabs to fit your specific needs, and finishing touches are applied. Lastly, the manufacturer seals the countertops to prevent scratches and stains.
Marbles come in every shade of white to gray. There are even dark green marbles, like Rainforest Green, and black marbles, like Nero Marquina. Marbles can vary in the heaviness of their veining. Their high-contrasting veins can lend a dramatic look to your home’s design.
What is Marble?
Home interior specialists have made marble the trending stone of the 2020s. However, long before that, many cultures used it to create monumental structures that have withstood the elements. You can share in the beauty of the Taj Mahal and the Pantheon, as the polished beauty of marble brings a timeless elegance to your home.
Marble is a natural stone composed of limestone & calcium carbonate. It arrives from quarries in slabs. Manufacturers cut slabs to fit your specific needs, and finishing touches are applied. Lastly, the manufacturer seals the countertops to prevent scratches and stains.
Marbles come in every shade of white to gray. There are even dark green marbles, like Rainforest Green, and black marbles, like Nero Marquina. Marbles can vary in the heaviness of their veining. Their high-contrasting veins can lend a dramatic look to your home’s design.
What are the Pros of Marble?
- Marble adds value to your home.
- The surface remains naturally cool, making it a fantastic option for home bakers.
- You can choose from various colors, with a variety of veining patterns.
- Many marbles have a calmer & cleaner look than many granites. Making it the perfect option for those that find the look of granite “too busy”.
- Some marbles may be less expensive than a similar looking quartz.
- With marble you can choose from a variety of finishes:
- Polish, which gleams and reflects the light
- Honed, a matte finish which aids in camouflaging scratches.
- Leathered or Antiqued, a textured finish which allows the natural veining to have a tactile feel.
- A sealer can be applied to help prevent staining.
What are the Cons of Marble?
- Unlike granite, marble is very porous. Its porosity means that acidic liquids and water can etch it. For example, avoid letting lemon juice, nail polish remover, or vinegar spills sit on your countertop, any of these can lead to etching.
- Also, due to the porosity of marble, it is likely to stain. Regular sealing is required to help protect the stone from stains.
- Marble is prone to scratching. However, if you select a honed finish, the scratches will be less noticeable.
- While marble is naturally cool, you don’t want to place hot pots and pans on it. Use a towel or trivet to add a protective layer.
- It takes diligent cleaning and regular sealing to preserve the look of new marble countertops.
How to Care and Maintain Marble
- Use mild soap and water to clean your marble countertops daily.
- If your marble was installed with a polished finish, then you can apply a marble polish every three to six months to keep the shine.
- Careful re-sealing of marble keeps it from staining.
- Use coasters if your drink is acidic and clean spills quickly.
- Place a tray underneath your soaps & lotions to prevent any drips from affecting the stone.
- Avoid spilling oil on your marble countertops.
- Never use harsh cleaners because these impact the sealant.
- Be careful of overspray when cleaning surrounding surfaces. We recommend, for example, spraying window cleaner directly onto your cloth or paper towel and then wiping the bathroom mirror with it.
- Never cut foods on marble countertops as this can scratch the surface & in turn affects the sealant.
- If you do happen to stain your countertop, apply a baking soda paste over the stain, cover the paste with plastic and allow it to dry for at least twenty-four hours. Clean as usual with soap and water. (Note: Sometimes, it may take several applications of paste for the stain to be fully rectified.)
The Best Uses of Marble
- Because marble naturally enhances the light of your home, you can use it to make small rooms look more prominent.
- Utilize it in bathrooms and kitchens. It also adds a luxurious touch to your family room when added to your fireplace.
- Home Bakers love marble due to its naturally cool temperature. This makes marble ideal for working with dough.
