So you’ve decided to renovate your kitchen and have decided to invest in a beautiful slab of marble stone as the center piece. Perhaps it’s the material you have chosen for your backsplash. Or you have gone with marble flooring. Here are some facts about marble and a few things to consider for your marble kitchen.
What Type Of Rock Is Marble?
Marble rocks are metamorphic rocks. Marble starts off as a limestone rock. From there it progresses through the many years of geologic transformation.
As sturdy as they might feel, it’s important to remember that marble is a stone and stones are porous. The worst thing you can do is to neglect proper care of your investment in a marble stone. At worst, you can be left with a lusterless stone. The finish may be eaten through and the stone can start eroding. Take care of what is supposed to be the center piece of your kitchen!
Marble Kitchen Countertop
Marble kitchen countertops are very popular. They add class and style to your home while also serving the purpose of providing you with space for food preparation, cooking, dining or just about anything else that might come up in the heart of your home.
Marble can be found throughout the world, and there are specific types of marble that are more coveted than others. Major exporters of marble includes Italy, Turkey, Iran, Spain, Greece and China.
The stone gives a sense of modern luxury and cleanliness to your kitchen. There are various types of stone when considering marble.
Here are 4 popular choice marble stones for the kitchen:
Carrara: This type of marble is a very popular choice for kitchen countertops. It can be found in both white and black coloration, but it’s most widely used in the US by being imported from Italy.
Statuary: It is a grayish white in coloration. This is a less expensive choice than the Carrara marble stone but still provides that sleek modern feel to your kitchen countertops.
Calacatta: This type of marble is typically gray with lighter veins throughout its structure. It has been gaining popularity as more homeowners and architects alike have begun to appreciate its beauty and durability.
Crema Marfil: This type of marble is typically white but can also be found in light yellow and gray.
Aside from the type of marble, you might also want to consider some other factors when it comes to matching marble with your kitchen.
- Will your daily habits of usage leave stains on your countertop?
- Have you thought about the look of the veins (patterning in the stone)?
- Do you know where your supplier is sourcing your marble from?
- Have you considered getting your marble stone sealed?
Taking Care Of Marble
In consideration of marble, marble floors, marble countertops, marble backsplashes, the best thing to maintain its beauty is knowing the proper care of it.
The best thing you can do is to clean up mess and spills immediately after you’re done with the area in your home. This way, it makes it difficult for the potential of liquids to leave stains. Be prepared, marble is high maintenance, and can also be quite expensive.
5 habits you should adopt when owning a marble kitchen:
- Wipe things down immediately – especially during winter and you track road salt into the home
- Be extra cautious when using acidic solutions and citrus
- Consider getting the marble sealed
- Start using coasters
- Even though marble can handle high heat, use a heat resistant pad or cork padding when transferring hot objects from stove to marble countertop
Take care of your marble stone well to get maximum use and enjoyment out of your investment.
Usage Of Marble Across Cultures
Marble has been used throughout history and was a symbol of wealth and prosperity. The stone itself is abundant across earth, and can be seen used across cultures.
Ancient Greece Used Marble
They used lots of it! Many of the structures that we associate with Ancient Greece were developed with marble. The grades of marble like everywhere else in the world, differed. Monuments like the Parthenon used a type of Marble called Pentelic marble mined from a mountain located in Attica, Greece.
United States Marble Monuments
Did you know that The Washington Monument and the U.S. Supreme Court are made of marble?
Russian Marble Architecture
One of the most famous examples of Russian marble architecture is Saint Basil’s Cathedral in Moscow. It was built on Red Square and has become a popular symbol for Russia. The cathedral features nine chapels that are all made from white stone, including Carrara marble imported into Russia at great expense during construction.
Italy’s Famous Carrara Marble
Ever wonder what material was used to create all of the iconic sculptures in Italy? In the Tuscany region of central Italy, there lies the province Massa-Carrara. Here, the production of marble is quarried. The process is monumental as marble can go as deep as hundreds of feet. Take a look at how marble is quarried (mined).
