All about Marble
Marble is a 100% natural stone with patterns of mineral veins. It is not as hard as granite. Marble, a metamorphic rock, is formed from limestone that has crystallized gradually over time by heat and pressure in the earth's crust. It is mined from marble quarries around the world in large blocks that are then cut into slabs, polished and distributed to stone suppliers.
Marble is a smooth luxurious natural stone, and one of the softer natural materials used for countertops, which makes it prone to scratching and staining. While marble does need extra care, its rich colours and beautiful veining brings elegance and a warm ambiance to any style decor.
how marble is formed
Marble is a metamorphic rock formed from limestone and dolostone that has crystallized gradually over time by heat and pressure in the earth's crust. This process is called re-crystallization.
Generally, marble is referred to as a crystalline rock composed predominantly of one or more of the following minerals: calcite, dolomite, or serpentine. In its purest form, marble is white. However, not all marbles are the same. Varying amounts of minerals present in the limestone during re-crystallization affect the mineral composition of each marble that forms, contributing to the interesting array of colours and patterns. Marble is mined from quarries around the world in large blocks that are then cut into slabs. These slabs are polished and distributed to stone suppliers. Stone fabricators purchase these slabs from the stone suppliers and install them in your home or office.
Scratch Resistance Heat Resistance Stain Resistance Chemical Resistance Hygiene Rating
marble countertops and durability
The durability characteristics vary between the different types of marble. Generally the darker marbles, like serpentine marble, are harder and less porous, making them more scratch and stain resistant.
To prevent scratching, use cutting boards and avoid scraping heavy object across the top. To prevent staining, clean up spills as soon as possible. If you intend using chemicals on the surface, we recommend that you confirm with your stone fabricator that the surface type is resistant to the chemicals.
marble scratch resistance
Marble is a softer natural stone and does not have as high a scratch resistance as granite and engineered stone. This makes marble impractical for use in the kitchen, unless ultra care is taken with the use of cutting boards to protect the surface from scratching. Different colours of marble have varying scratch resistances due to impurities such as clay or silt that were in the original limestone. To give you a comparison, marble scores a hardness rating between 2.5 and 5 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness, whereas granite scores a rating of approximately 7 out of 10.
marble heat resistance
Like granite, marble has a high resistance to heat. Hot pots can be placed directly on the surface without damaging or discolouring the marble.
marble stain resistance
Marble is porous and it will stain when oily or watery liquids seep into the microscopic voids between the crystals. Sealing the surface with a penetrating stone sealant will help to protect the stone from water patches and stains. This sealant is absorbed into the stone filling the microscopic spaces, but liquids can still stain the surface, although not as quickly. Stone fabricators should apply a quality sealant after the installation of your marble countertops. If marble does stain, you can usually remove the marks or at least partially lift them. Marble Chemical Resistance
True marble is composed mainly of calcium carbonate, which is reactive with acids (fruit juice, soda, coffee, alcohol, salad dressing, etc.). If this liquid spills on the surface and is not wiped up, it will "etch" the surface of the marble. Etching destroys the polish leaving a dull, light spot. This makes marble unpractical for use in the kitchen, unless ultra care is taken and spills are wiped up immediately.
marble resistance to weathering
As mentioned above, the calcite crystal in marble is vulnerable to attack by mild acids. Acid rain, pollutants and other weathering elements can affect the surface of exterior marble installations. If the marble surface is polished to a mirror-finish, it probably will not last outside. If you want a polished surface that will last then granite is the recommended alternative for exterior installations.
marble cleanliness & hygiene
Although marble is known to be a slightly porous material, when sealed the surface is on par with the hygiene and cleanness of granite and engineered stone. A study was conducted in 2006 by Dr. Snyder (president of The Hospitality Institute of Technology), where four widely used countertop materials were compared – two granites, one marble and one quartz surface (engineered stone). The study showed that all are easily cleaned to meet FDA sanitizer criteria of 5-log reduction pathogens on the surface. “Overall, there was no statistical difference in reduction after wash and rinse for any of the four stone surfaces,” said Dr. O. Peter Snyder. However, marble has a low scratch resistance, and if scratched, this will compromise the hygiene of the surface. Granite and Engineered Stone have a much higher scratch resistance, making them a more hygienic alternative.
marble look & feel
appearance
Marble is known for its classic beauty and its soft translucent quality, bringing a soft, warm opulence to any room. Marble has a small crystalline structure with veins of colour running through it.
colours & patterns
Minerals in the limestone during re-crystallization give marble its wide variety of colours and patterns. For example, marble containing hematite has a reddish colour. Marble that has limonite is yellow, and marble with serpentine is green. In its purest form, marble is white. The veining patterns in marble are caused from silt, sand, clay and other impurities that were in the original limestone before it transformed into marble. Below are 3 examples of full marble slabs (+- 2.8m x 1.6m), from one of the most consistent surface patterns to one of the more “wavy” patterns”. More Consistent Less Consistent
marble's surface & touch
Marble has a solid, smooth, cool, sophisticated stone feel. Like granite, marble countertops can also have a high gloss surface shine which really brings out the depth of the colour and pattern in the stone. This shine is accomplished by polishing the surface to a mirror-finish using diamond polishing tools. It's not caused by something coating the surface. Therefore, polished marble will keep its beautiful high glossy shine for decades!
marble pricing
Marble, which was once found only in very expensive high-end kitchens, is more commonplace today. Prices have reduced due to technological advances, improved methods of quarrying, and widespread popularity. The price of marble countertops varies. Expect to pay between R2500 and over R3250 per m2, depending on the colour, availability and complexity of the installation. Marble in Application
marble kitchen countertops
Marble gives a kitchen a smooth, soft, luxurious look. Like granite, marble kitchen countertops have a high heat resistance, so hot pots can be placed directly on the surface, straight from the stove or oven. Marble, like granite and engineered stone, is also rated one of the most hygienic surfaces for countertops.
Unfortunately, due to the soft nature of the stone, marble can scratch. The stone is also porous and will stain if spills are not wiped up quickly.
the following limitations need to be considered:
• Cutting directly on the surface will damage the surface - use cutting boards • Movement of plates, cups and other kitchen utensils can scratch the surface over time • Spills can stain the surface if not wiped up quickly
Many people insist on installing marble in their kitchens, if you do, be prepared to look after them carefully.
tip
Before installing marble in your kitchen, see what colour options are available in granite and engineered stone first. The scratch and stain resistance of these stone types makes them far superior for use in the kitchen. If you are determined to have the smooth luxurious look of marble in your home, then rather consider installing marble in the bathroom and granite or engineered stone in the kitchen. This will create a harmonious interesting balance in your home.
marble in the bathroom
If there is one application where marble is most popular, it's the bathroom! With a wide variety of colours and beautiful soft patterns, marble give a bathroom a warm elegant ambiance. Aside from using marble for bathroom vanity units and walls, it can also be used for the floors of the bathroom as well. Like any other smooth surface floor, the polished surface of a marble can be slippery if it gets wet and a honed marble surface is recommended, especially for shower floors.
other applications
Marble can also be used for, fireplace surrounds, table tops, reception countertops, floor tiles, exterior applications such as braai areas, jacuzzi and pool surrounds, and more.
