Typically, Carrara is the most affordable marble. And although most Carrara is mined in Italy, the beautiful stone is found in China and other countries, too.
If you're looking for countertops that look like marble, then quartz, quartzite, and granite provide excellent alternatives. They are more durable, potentially cheaper, and lower maintenance.
Carrara. The most common and affordable type of marble, Carrara marble countertops cost approximately $40 per square foot. Although it's technically classified as white marble, it comes in varying shades of white and light gray with gray veining, and it can have hints of gold.
Marble Quality Starts At the Quarry
The gage, or thickness, of the slab impacts the strength of the tile. Thinner tile is more fragile for cutting, installation and wear. The evenness of the gage of the tile throughout is also a factor in the quality of the tile and therefore the price.
Calacatta Nuvo: With a white background and wide, gray veining, Calacatta Nuvo quartz is a popular choice for marble-esque counters. Produced by Caesarstone, this quartz is meant to mimic Calacatta marble but with more durability and a less-expensive price tag.
In general, granite is very durable, stain-resistant and lower maintenance than marble. Granite should be sealed after installation, and if done properly, water will bead on the surface. Resealing should be completed every year to ensure a solid and efficient surface.
The White Statuario marble of Carrara is one of the most precious marbles in the world. Few materials, in fact, can compete with its transparent sheen and its incredibly compact structure.
While buying, flip the stone over and check for cracks or fissures. Sometimes small cracks are located along with the veins on the marble surface. Slabs with small cracks can be used in low traffic area. If wide cracks are there, then it is not good- quality marble.
White kitchens are classic, and they gained popularity in recent years likely due to Joanna Gaines' modern farmhouse renovations on HGTV's Fixer Upper. Her countertop stone of choice was often marble, with light colors and stunning veining.
Both granite and marble are considered higher cost countertop options. Granite is typically less expensive, running approximately three-fifths the price of the luxurious stone. On average, costs per square foot for granite range from $40 to $100, while costs per square foot for marble range from $50 to $150.
Quartzite. For homeowners who enjoy the look of marble but want a natural stone material that is more durable and tough, quartzite countertops are an excellent option. Whether it's a kitchen countertop, bathroom countertop or backsplash, it is one of the best materials you can install in your home.
Makrana marble is long-lasting and highly durable. These marbles require no chemical treatment as they are pure.
White Carrara Marble is the most popular marble with a medium white background and soft grey or black veins throughout the slab. Uses flooring surfaces, trends, and other surfaces.
Marble has several different grades. Grade A marble is the highest class, but it doesn't offer much color or veining. Some lower grades have deep veins, swirls, and tones. No matter what you choose, make sure that the marble is an authentic material that can hold up to the needs of your home or business.
If you have a latticinio core swirl marble featuring a red or blue core, then you have the rarest of all designs and a higher valued marble. Rarer specimens feature four and five layers of swirls.
Purity, of course, refers to the lack of color variation within a specific sample of stone. Although colored veining is, for many people, a very desired characteristic, the purest marbles are almost completely white or very light in color.
Value: Having marble in your home will increase your home's value. Longevity: As long as marble is maintained properly it will last for centuries. Marble is also UV resistant; the original color will never fade. Easy to Cut: Marble is a softer stone which makes it easy for fabricators to work with.
Quartz countertops are one of the best alternatives to granite counters in terms of durability, aesthetic appeal, functionality, and versatility.
Polished marble is shiny and is more resistant to staining. Honed marble is matte and less resistant to staining. However, honed marble reduces the problem of etching (mainly, because it's pre-etched). So it you want to reduce etching, choose HONED marble and be sure keep the surface properly sealed to reduce staining.
Don't use harsh cleaners.
Never use abrasive scrubbers or rough-woven cloths that could scratch marble. Take a pass on products containing lemon, vinegar, or other acids that will dull or etch marble surfaces.