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| A Little Bit about Marble |
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| Perhaps more than any other stone, marble evokes images of sophisticated extravagance. Once found only in the homes of the wealthy, marble--like granite and other stones--is now a much more accessible luxury for everyone due to improved technology and availability. |
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| The rich tones of the marble color palette are plentiful encompassing creamy whites and neutrals, dreamy yellows, soft oranges, ocean greens and amazing blacks. |
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| The dramatic veining and blending of color shades looks spectacular on countertops and marble floors complement any design. |
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| Choose a similar pattern/material and color shade on your floors and walls to avoid a chaotic look. |
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| Marble Slab, Marble Tile and Special Considerations |
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| Marble is available in 2 cm and 3 cm slabs as well as the full range of tile sizes from 1-inch mosaic tile up to large 24-inch floor tile. Marble is a crystallized limestone and therefore can be polished to a mirror-finish, which really brings out the depth in it's color and looks gorgeous. |
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| However, marble polishing is only recommended for counter tops that are lightly used such as a powder bath, tabletop, pass bar or furniture piece, but for kitchen countertops or the wet bar. Why? |
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| Marble is softer and more porous than granite making it less practical for rigorous kitchen use. It can be sealed to protect against stains, but the polish will etch or dull very easily if acidic liquids such as wine, coffee, juices and alcohol are spilled on the surface. Marble will also scratch much more easily than granite. |
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| Love to bake? One exception to the "rule" stated above is if you are a serious baker. A marble slab is "the" countertop of choice for making dough--that is pies and bread, not money! Although it may feel like you're making money on such a luxurious countertop. |
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| Natural Beauty. So if you love the look of marble counter tops and want to use it in your kitchen, choose the honed finish and always use coasters, cutting boards and trivets to protect against scratches. |
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| Marble Care. You'll find more information about marble care and how to avoid expensive marble restoration at marble counter top care. Also, it's worth noting that marble is traditionally left to age naturally stains and all. |
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| Natural Aging. Over the years the marble will absorb stains, the patina will change and the stone will begin to reflect the essential character of your home. This is especially true of marble tile floors, which become more beautiful with age and use. |
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| It's hard to resist the quintessential beauty and the feelings of warm opulence that marble conveys to any room. Marble counter tops and marble flooring will add immeasurable value and years of pleasure to your home. |
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| Marble counter tops have to be done by professionally trained individuals to do the job right. You need the right type of tools and everything for fabrication. When bringing the countertops too your house some of the larger marble counter tops can take up to three or four guys to carry one piece in. Marble is considered to be one of the most common materials found in the “Stone” family, along with granite, when it comes to countertops. The book “Home Project Manager: Kitchen Planner”, published in 1997 by Cowles Creative Publishing, describes Stone as a “natural material that offers unique beauty and durability that’s hard to duplicate…The very high cost prevents most remodelers from choosing stone. Stone slabs can be special-ordered from natural-stone suppliers and are usually installed by countertop fabricators specializing in specialty products….Granite is more durable and stain-resistant, while marble offers a wider range of colors and has a more interesting grain. Marble is relatively porous stone and must be frequently sealed to prevent staining.” If you do want marble for your kitchen, you have to be prepared to pay a considerable amount more then you would for any other material, as it is the most expensive. Jason comments, “Usually, you're looking at $40 per square foot all the way up to over a $100 per square foot depending on the color, the thickness of the material, the grade of the material, and the different types of edge profiles. So that's kind of the range, $40 to $100 is the going rate. There are some that are much more than $100.” The book, “Home Project Manager: Kitchen Planner”, says, “Stone countertops are available in 3/4 inch to 1 1/2 inch slabs. Because cut stone is brittle, thicker slabs are a safer choice, allowing for as much as a 12 inch overhang at the ends of counters. Thicker slabs are also more likely to survive shipping and installation.” So, if you do choose to add on the expense of installing marble countertops, it is best to go the extra mile and purchase thick ones. A few other options for those that want the look of marble or any other type of stone countertop is a material called “Solid Surface”. It is as close to the real thing as you can get, but it is cheaper and easier to work with. A do-it-yourselfer can also order marble tiles, which they can install themselves. They are more expensive then the ceramic variety but worth it if that is the look that you are going for. The last choice a homeowner has is to just add touches of the stone as insets into other materials on their countertops. Many, especially those who bake or cook a great deal, add marble slabs into their preparation and/or serving areas. |
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| More Ideas. Also, consider using this natural stone for marble bathroom vanities, tile flooring, a marble fireplace, tub decks and marble shower surrounds. |
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