About NATURAL MARBLE
Natural Marble is a timeless and classic stone that has been used as countertops for many years. The flowing veins, earth tone colors and natural beauty fit into just about any style or decor. Although marble makes a beautiful countertop, there are some drawbacks to be aware of. Marble is porous and fairly soft, therefore can scratch and stain. Also, marble will etch when exposed to acidic products like wine, lemon, vinegar, etc. Consider these drawbacks when using marble for your countertop material, especially in the kitchen.
Natural Marble countertops offer a beautiful and timeless finish to your kitchen, but they're not surfaces to install and then forget about. As a naturally porous stone, marble requires regular care to maintain its shine and to prevent staining. However, the aesthetic qualities, heat tolerance, and temperature support for baking is well-worth the additional care for many homeowners.
Care & Maintenance
Easy Cleaning
Natural Marble surfaces are fairly easy to maintain and with simple care, will retain its luster and beauty for many years. For routine cleaning, use a damp cloth or paper towel and, if necessary, a small amount of mild soap. Once clean, rinse and dry surface thoroughly. Make sure to stay away from acidic cleaners such as vinegar or other harsh products. Make sure if you are using something besides water and mild detergent, you make sure the product is safe for Natural Marble surfaces. Clean up spills right away: The longer a spill sits on a marble countertop, the more likely it is too soak in. This is especially the case with acidic liquids such as lemon juice, vinegar, or wine, which can begin to break down the sealer and not only stain the counter but lower its resistance to future staining. In most cases, though, swiftly wiping up the spill with a soft cloth or paper towel will keep your Natural Marble countertops looking beautiful.
Scratch Resistance
Stone hardness protects the surface from scratches, and as a general rule, marble is fairly soft. Therefore, Natural Marble is susceptible to scratching, if care is not taken. To preserve surface aesthetics from alterations, protect the surface with a cutting board when using knives or sharp objects. Also avoid abrasive pads and cleaners with pumice or powders to insure against accidental scratching or etching.
Honed Natural Marble may be a good alternative to the traditional polished finish. A honed finish has a more matte surface finish, meaning any dullness that may occur from acidic liquids will be much less noticeable than it would be on a highly polished surface. Honed marble has a soft, satin finish rather than a glossy shine - a look that many home owners actually prefer.
Acid & Liquid Resistance
One of the main concerns that homeowners have about choosing Natural Marble for kitchen countertops is that will stain. While Natural Marble can be more susceptible to stains or etches from acidic foods and beverages (such as red wine and tomato sauce), there are precautions that can be taken to help avoid this. You can help prevent stains by applying an impregnating sealer that fills the pores just below the stone's surface to slow the absorption of liquids, allowing more time to clean up spills. Today's sealers are highly effective at preventing staining, without altering the look of the stone itself.
While no sealer can prevent etching, which is a dulling of the stone when it comes into contact with acidic materials, a high quality sealer can go a long way in protecting your new marble from stains for years, or even decades.
Heat Resistance
If you're a baker, you'll be happy to learn that Natural Marble is one of the most heat resistant stones out there. This quality makes marble a popular choice for fireplace surrounds as well as counters, islands, and vanities. However, the surfaces are not heat proof. We recommend the use of trivets or other heat-resistant pads and to avoid direct contact with heat sources such as saucepans, frying pans, or deep-fat fryers, pots, irons, and open flame.
Precautions
Natural Marble develops a patina, or change in color due to oxidation, over time. But if you're in love with the classic look of marble, there's simply no alternative quite as beautiful as the real thing.
Standard Sizes for Slabs
Sizes of natural stone blocks can vary from quarry to quarry.
Slabs lengths typically range from 95"-120 and widths from 60"-70".
View the individual bundle details for current stock slab dimensions.
Standard Finishes
Polished
Brushed (Leather)*
* Available in select colors only
Documentation
