How to Pick Marble for Your Home/Office?

Marble is among the most beautiful and exquisite accessories that you can incorporate in your home or workplace. It is used for many applications such as countertops, floors, borders, and other design trimmings because of its timeless beauty and durability. However, choosing the right kind of marble for your home/space could be a real hassle. You can find a marble ranging from the type of product, brand, color, size, and model. Therefore, some tips should be taken into consideration. Here in this guide, you will learn all these tips on choosing the marble for your home/space. 

Understanding Marble

Marble is an extensive range of metamorphic rock and the most popular choice of artists and architects from ancient times. It is composed of limestone that has gone through intense pressure and heat to cause it to metamorphose. This process leaves the stone compacted, durable and can also be given a polished surface of very high quality. Marble is loved by many because it has the best veins and it embraces a very large number of colors which makes it introduce elegance in our homes. 

Types of Marble 

It can be stated that before going shopping for marble, it is necessary to familiarize with varieties of this type. Here are some of the most popular varieties:

• Carrara Marble: Carrara is probably one of the most famous types of marble that is defined by its white or blue-grey hue and fine lines or patterning. It’s employed in sculpting, designs of buildings, countertops and even floors.

• Calacatta Marble: This type of marble is related to Carrara but gives even more imposing and contrasted drawing. It is normally costlier than the other type and it is commonly used in premium applications. 

• Statuario Marble: The most famous type of marble is Statuario marble that is characterized by snowy white color and dramatic gray patterning; it is also a rather expensive material that is commonly used in large-scale works. 

• Emperador Marble: Emperador is a type of marble and can is found in various shades of brown and has intricate patterns on it. It is applied in the flooring and in making countertops.

• Crema Marfil Marble: The greyish-white, though some varieties are light brown marble includes fine and close veining, makes it best for floor tiles or wainscoting. 

Marble Finishes 

There are many techniques of finalizing the Marble to offer the expected attributes in terms of appearance and touch. Here are some common finishes:

• Polished: Polished finish on marble provides it with a super-smooth surface that somewhat reflects light just like a mirror and this makes the veins and the color to stand out. This finish is common in countertops and other decorative works.

• Honed: Honed finish is achieved by making the marble to have a smooth and flat surface without shine. This finish is not as slippery as polished marble and is commonly applied to floors.

• Brushed: Brushed marble is a type of finish which gives a slightly rough finish to the stone as the wire brushes are used in the process. This finish also adds a more rough and old look to marbles.

• Tumbled: Tumbled marble is finished from the stone that is put in a machine where it is tumbled with sand and water slowly. This process imparts on the marble a rather worn out look or a look that resembles marble that has been used in the ancient days. 

Factors to Consider When Choosing Marble for Your Home/Space

While choosing marble for your home or office here are some aspects you need to consider in order to make the right decision. 

1. Location and Use

The first factor that should come into your mind is where you intend to apply the marble. Floors, walls, and countertops of different rooms or offices may have different loads placed on them, therefore, the right marble has to be selected. 

Kitchen Countertops: In this case, for the kitchen countertops, it will be appropriate to look for a marble that is hard, and is not easily scratched or stained. Some of the options for flooring are the polished marble and the honed marble; the polished marble has a shiny surface while the honed surface is not so shiny which is good because it conceals scratches. 

Bathroom Surfaces: In bathrooms, marble is employed in the worktop, shower and wall cladding and floor. Because bathrooms are usually wet and moist, then the kind of marble that should be used should be one which does not easily absorb water. 

Flooring: On the positive side of this, the use of marble floor increases the quality feel of any room. But it is rather slippery when wet, thus it is recommended that one uses honed or brushed marble on the high traffic areas.

Walls and Backsplashes: Marble is equally good for accent walls and backsplashes. It can give a central feature to a room and is also less complicated to clean as these are places where there is little chance of severe staining. 

2. Color and Veining 

Marble has many different colors from traditional white and grey to more exotic pink, green, and black. Deciding on the hue of the marble should be based on the overall design of the room it will be applied in. White, gray, beige, and similar shades are universal, and their use will be suitable for different directions, while bright tones can emphasize the owner’s personality. 

Another essential characteristic present in marble that one must look at is the pattern of the veining. There are marbles that are fine and delicate when it comes to the veining, and there are those that are massive and striking. The material used in the veining can provide a distinct dimension and touch to the space, thus, it is advisable to have a pattern that best fits the style that you have envisioned.  

3. Quality and Grade 

It is; however, crucial to note that not all marble is the same and the quality can be very much a mixed bag. When shopping for marble, look for the following indicators of quality:

Consistency: While the best grain of marble should possess a uniform color and pattern across the whole cut slab. In this case, it is advisable to begin to look for any difference in color, any cracks or chips that may be present on the surface of the windows.

Thickness: Another criterion applicable is the thickness of the marble slab, the recommended one being from twenty to thirty millimeters. It is an insulated concrete block where thicker slabs are stronger and less susceptible to cracking.

Finish: Look at the polishing end and outer surface of the marble. Floor surface should be regular without any rouging or irregularities as it plays a critical role in the reception of guests. 

Marble is generally sorted according to the quality, and according to the quality the grades assigned to it could be A, B,C & D out of which the best quality marbl  is the one which has fewer flaws and its color and density of veins remain standardized. Grade D marble is basically the least desirable and contains more visible faults and different defects.

4. Maintenance and Care 

Marble, although an eye catching and very attractive material, is a sensitive material that ought to be cleaned often. But when opting for the marble style, it is essential to look at how much you are willing to maintain. Here are some maintenance tips for marble:Here are some maintenance tips for marble: 

Sealing: The surface of a marble floor is porous and is prone to accumulation of stains on the surface; therefore, they require sealant or polish frequently. Sealing has to be done regularly depending on the level of usage and the type of marble; however, the marble ought to be sealed at least once a year.

Cleaning: Wipe the marble with a pH-neutral cleaning solution in case that warm water and a mild soap solution cannot be used. One should not try to clean the marble surface by using any chemical substance or rough material since it may ruin the surface.

Stain Removal: Should this happen and one finds that his or her marble is stained, then it is important to deal with that menace immediately. Lay poultice or use a marble specific stain remover to pull the stain up from the surface of the marble.

Preventative Measures: Here are the measures that should be taken in order to avoid any damages done to marble: Placing coasters under the glasses, using mats or rugs in the places where there is a lot of traffic, starting using cutting boards in the kitchen. 

5. Budget 

Marble is an expensive material and the price ranges can be rather high due to the type, quality, and origin of the material. A good marble to use in different projects should be according to the budgets set apart for the shopping. Remember that the price of marble involves the price of the material and work that is required for its installation since it is a very delicate process.

Also Read: 12 Types Of Marble Flooring For Your Home

Wrapping Up

Picking the be­st marble for your home/office is important. It can make­ your place look and feel be­tter. By knowing the differe­nt kinds of marble, looking at what you need, and following the­ steps in this guide, you can choose the­ marble you won't regret having for a long time­. For top-quality marble, A-Class Marble is a trusted name­. They have lots of marble to choose­ from and offer good advice and professional se­rvices. A-Class Marble wants to help you find the­ right marble for your work. Check out their showroom or we­bsite to see the­ir big collection. Find out why A-Class Marble is the favorite­ of homeowners and business owne­rs. Remember, ge­tting marble is like buying an agele­ss beauty and class. With the ideal choice­ and right care, your marble areas will amaze­ and motivate people for a long time­.

Also Read: What is the Difference Between Marble and Granite