Getting a countertop for your bathroom and kitchen is a big deal and is in no way a small investment to make on your end. It’s actually one of the biggest additions you’ll be adding to your house considering the price. As such, it’s important that you know that you’re only getting the best of the best materials for your countertop purchase.
One of the top options on the market currently is marble. Marble is a natural stone countertop that’s sourced directly from select quarries in Italy. It is currently the most popular countertop option which you’ll find in most luxury homes and premier establishments. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get it for your home though.
As a countertop option, there are many merits to getting marble which shouldn’t be surprising considering that more and more people are choosing this over countertop options. From a viewer’s perspective, one of the first things you might’ve heard about marble is that it’s expensive and that it’s a luxury item. However, there’s more to this countertop than meets the eye.
If you want to get a countertop that’s the best of its kind, you should consider getting marble from your contractors. The wait to get one and the price of it may seem too much but just think of how good an investment it may be on your end. Without further ado, here are some of the things that people might have not told you about marble countertops.
It Ups Your Home Value
The one secret that most people don’t know about natural stone countertops is that they can effectively increase the value of your home. The reason for this is that each slab of a natural stone countertop is unique. This means the countertop in your home won’t have any identical slab anywhere else. This is because all marble countertops are sourced directly from the stone and are treated to be placed in your kitchen or your bathroom.
If you are planning to sell your home eventually, then having a marble countertop is one of the best ways to increase the resale value of your house. Any natural stone countertop actually does well in increasing your home’s value but marble stands out because it can increase the value by up to 10%.
That being said, you should do your best to make sure that your marble countertop is well taken care off. That isn’t to say that any stain or crack will render your marble countertop valueless. It’s just that problems can depreciate the value of such goods. The good thing is that it actually isn’t too hard to take care of marble countertops.
Most of today’s luxury homes are called as such thanks partly to the value that marble kitchen and bathroom countertops add. Even if you aren’t planning on selling your home, adding value to it is crucial just in case you have to make an emergency sale in the future.
There Are Different Types Of Marble Countertops
The common misconception is that there’s only one type of marble countertop but this is a big misunderstanding. In truth, there are actually several types of marble types you can choose from and each has its own merits and disadvantages. We’ll go over the most popular ones.
- Carrara – it is currently the most popular type of marble for both kitchens and bathrooms. Moreover, it’s used not just as a countertop material, it’s also used for floors and walls. These stones are sourced from Carrara, Italy. They usually come in white, blue-gray or gray.
- Calacatta – it is one of the rarest forms of marble. That being said, it is also one of the most expensive ones as well. These are sourced from the Apuan Mountains in the Carrara region. This marble is mostly distinguished by its white background, dark gray/gold veins which is unique among marble types.
- Nero Marquina – this type of marble is unique due to the fact that it’s black in color. Also called as Marmol Negro, Nero Marquina is sourced from Spain in the Marguina region. The white veins of the marble goes well with its dark hue, making it one of the prettiest countertops currently.
- Crema Marfil – this is a colored marble that comes in various hues. Its common appearances include light beige to yellow and it also has irregular vein patterns. Due to its color, it has become a choice selection for kitchens and bathrooms as it can go well with dark-colored cabinets easily.
Most Home Countertops Are Made of Marble
Despite its steep price point, marble has become very popular as of late. In fact, most home countertops are made of marble. People understand the value in getting this kind of countertop. What’s even better is that it works well with various types of homes. Be it a luxury home or a regular one, there’s always a spot for marble.
Don’t expect marble to drop in price anytime soon. As long as the main source remains limited, it wouldn’t be getting a major price drop in the future. Besides, why would there be a price drop if demand is still strong.
It Has Many Purposes
People think that marble countertops are only fit for kitchens. In reality however, they can be used in bathrooms too. Because of their qualiities, there are actually many purposes for marble countertops. The most luxurious homes even have marble tiles and walls. So long as marble is properly processed and sealed, it can be used for many things so it’s always worth investing in marble whenever you can.
Marble Is One Of The Most Significant Stones In Art History
You might have heard of marble before but that shouldn’t be too surprising. This is because marble is actually one of the most important stones in history. Due to its beautiful appearance and durability, it has been used by many artists and craftsmen throughout history. In fact, most of the million dollar pieces of art you can see in museums
Some of the historic pieces of art made with marble include Michelangelo’s David, The Lincoln Memorial, The Elgin, and many more. The best craftsmen choose marble as a material to work with for many reasons and one of those is the fact that it’s very beautiful and easy to work with. Even today, artists still use marble as a medium for sculpting.
Most of the marbles used in sculpting are pure white. This results in stunning pieces of art that shine especially during the day. Even in your home, marble will shine beautifully given that the right amount of light reflects on it. As such, it’s a great way to turn your home into something more pristine and calming.
Marble Is Porous
One of the most important things you should know about marble is that it is a porous material. What this means is that there are many miniscule holes in the countertop. It’s important for these holes to be sealed so that no liquid or any water seeps within the countertop. To prevent this from happening, fabricators seal the countertop.
Once it’s sealed, the countertop becomes water resistant. This is important as if it isn’t sealed, the fluids could result in bacteria and mold formation which is the last thing you’d want for a countertop that you use for kitchen prep-work. Usually, you’ll have to reseal the countertop at least once annually.
Cleaning Marble Properly
The last thing you want is working on a countertop that’s not lept clean or sanitary. The good news is that marble is actually very easy to maintain. To clean marble countertops properly, you’ll need to avoid heavy duty cleaners such as bleach and laundry detergent. So, what kind of material should you use for cleaning?
As a general rule of thumb, you’d only want to use a cleaning agent that you’ll use on your hands. These include mild dish soaps and hand soaps. Marble is a durable material but that doesn’t mean it’s safe from strong chemicals. Simply use mild dish soaps and then wipe down the country with a damp cloth and it will be good to go.
Marble kitchen countertops are functional, beautiful, expensive, and well-worth it. Every homeowner would love to have his home at its best form so you should only get the best materials that you can get your hands on. With your new found knowledge on marble for kitchen countertops, you’ll probably learn to appreciate it more.
There are actually more things you should know about marble countertops for kitchens and bathrooms. What we’ve said is just the gist of it. Do a little more research and you’ll see exactly how amazing it is as a countertop material. Your home only deserves the best so you should focus on getting only the best countertop material like marble.
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