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Marble
Kasey Denis
General Information
Marble is a metamorphic rock, which is a rock that has been physically and chemically transformed over time due to intense heat and pressure. It is found in many countries, including Belgium, France, Great Britain, Greece, India, Italy, and Spain.
Marble is a beautiful, natural stone that has been used to make buildings and artworks for thousands of years in some very famous places. It comes in a variety of colors and patterns and has long been highly valued for its beauty, strength, and resistance to fire and erosion.
Because marble is a softer stone, it is susceptible to chipping, staining, and etching. Therefore, any spilled acids that are not cleaned right away may etch the surface of the stone making it dull. To clean a marble worktop, use warm water with some natural cleaning product and apply that mixture on the marble using a sponge or a soft cloth. This will remove the dirt and stains from the surface of the marble.
Environmental Impact
Marble is an extremely environmental-friendly stone. It is a natural stone; therefore, it benefits the environment in many ways. Because it is in the natural form, marble doesn’t require any power to produce, saving on energy and eliminating any pollution. Additionally, marble has thermal mass which helps to insulate a home naturally, saving on energy costs from heating and cooling.
Marble has very low lifecycle costs because it is such a withstanding material. Since marble is a natural stone, it is extremely durable and is able to withstand wind, snow, rain, heat, and even fire. Therefore, you don’t have to keep extracting the material in case of damages, as marble is strong enough to withstand damages and can also be recycled.
Marble has no effect on indoor air quality. Therefore, marble not only provides great benefits to the environment but is also safe and efficient to use for your home.
Use in Interior Setting
1. This light marble vanity stands out against the natural wood wall around it providing great contrast and creating visual interest in this Buenos Aires bathroom. One-of-a-Kind Furniture Fills This Delightfully Serene Buenos Aires Home - Dwell
2. The sleek veiny marble used in this bathroom floor and up the side of the wall gives this bathroom a unique look. The color and pattern of this particular marble correspond with the zebra art on the wall above it. Five Totally Different Styles for Your Bathroom - Dwell
3. Using marble for a backsplash and countertop in this light-colored kitchen creates variety and elegance. The open shelving is a good choice for this kitchen because it showcases more of the beautiful marble! How to Take a Dwell Photo - Dwell
4. This bathtub is made with Calcatta marble giving it its pure white and sleek look. The white and shiny marble pops against the horizontal oak paneling behind it. This Cozy Home Totally Changes How We Think of Tribeca Lofts - Dwell
5. This pair of marble end tables defies norms by making the bases out of marble instead of the top. The veiny marble base is topped with a thin, white layer of steel to complete the end table. Marble Design: Over It, or Still in Love? - Dwell
Countertop
The most popular finishes for marble countertops are polished, honed, and leather. Polishing gives the marble countertop a glossy finish. To produce the glossy finish, the marble is sanded and buffed. A countertop with a honed finish will have a more matte appearance. With this type of finish, it’s far less noticeable if the marble becomes etched from the accidental spill of acidic foods. Leather is the preferred finish for darker marble. It gives the surface some texture in order to hide scratches and fingerprints and still has a slight gleam to it.
Organizations
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Marble of the World
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Natural Stone Institute
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Global Granite and Marble
ASTM Testing
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ANSI A10.20 - Safety Requirements for Ceramic Tile, Terrazzo and Marble Work
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ASTM C503 - Standard Specification for Marble Dimension Stone
Sources
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