The Pros and Cons of Choosing Carrara Marble Countertops

Have you been debating the value of carrara marble countertops for your kitchen renovation?

For many families, the kitchen and its countertops serve as social centres. We eat our fast food at the counter, cook our own meals, and even complete our homework on them.

You are making a very elegant and practical decision if you decide to install marble countertops in your kitchen or bathroom. You should do your research to discover the greatest colour and price on marble stone since it is traditional and everlasting, and because it will elevate the look of your stone to the next level.

Obviously, we need to weigh the benefits and drawbacks of everything in life. Even though there are a lot of marble suppliers out there, one of the most well-known and prominent is Carrara.

Quality, good evaluations, and good value are what you can expect when you choose a Carrara marble countertop. Let's weigh the cons and pros of this choice.

What Are Carrara Marble Countertops

Beautiful stone from the Italian region of Carrara is a popular material for kitchen and bathroom worktops, tabletops, and tiles. Carrara, like other varieties of marble, is porous and hence absorbs liquids and is delicate to strong acids used for cleaning. Its light color makes linen susceptible to stains from foodstuffs like vinegar, oil, juice, and wine.

Another drawback of white marble countertops is the amount of upkeep needed to keep them looking beautiful and spotless. It is also important to use rock cleaner solutions with a neutral pH so as not to damage the surface qualities of the countertops.

Since marble is a naturally occurring stone, it may be any color or pattern you can imagine, with a texture that is as unexpected as the veining network inside it. The variations in the tones of Carrara marble countertops can range from a pale ivory to a deep, almost black, veined appearance. Consider these excellent alternatives to white marble if you're having trouble with it:

Bianco Romano – granite

Beola Ghiandonata – granite

Casa Blanca – granite

Glancier White – granite

If you want the greatest marble for your countertops, you need to conduct your homework because there are many different kinds of marble, each with its own price range, quality level, and color palette. Factors such as the quarry it comes from, impurities, patterns, colors, and veining give marble an infinite variety of shades and patterns. The color spectrum encompasses white, black, pink, and green, among others.

Pros of a Carrara Marble Countertop

Marble countertops are a popular choice for home design projects mainly due to its aesthetically pleasing appearance. No artificial stone, not even granite or soapstone, can match the natural beauty of this rock. The cool temperature nature of the rock is another reason to use marble in the kitchen. The Carrara model is ideal for dealing with pastry because of its extremely low heat conductivity.

Carrara, sometimes spelt Carrera, is one of the most popular marble varieties and one of the most affordable options for kitchen countertops. This is in contrast to other uncommon and expensive varieties of marble. Around $30 to $40 per square foot installed is the normal rate, however it may vary by region.

Because of its widespread use, Carrara marble countertops are readily available from nearly any stone fabricator. This is in contrast to more exotic stones like quartz or granite, where finding the exact yardage needed for a personalized block may be a real challenge.

Appearance

Marble kitchen countertops are unmatched in beauty. The stone has a unique personality and they have a depth of colour that no one else can match. However, the veining is typically what draws people to marble surfaces.

Great for Baking and Cooking

Marble's inherent coolness makes it an ideal cooking surface. If you must use hot pans or pots on a marble countertop, be aware that marble isn't entirely heat resistant.

Enhancement

Marble countertops can reportedly raise the worth of your property, according to some experts. Although the actual value rise is debatable, having marble countertops might give the impression of more worth.

Durability

Your marble countertops will remain beautiful and functional for many years to come with the right care, sealing, and maintenance. Therefore when you make the choice of buying a stunning carrara marble countertop, you are investing big to your house.

Cons of a Marble Countertop

Because of its porous nature, marble is susceptible to persistent staining from acidic solutions. By sealing your marble countertops at least once a year, you can keep them from becoming significantly stained. Marble is ideally sealed after installation. The Marble Institute suggests using a cloth dampened with a mixture of 12% hydrogen peroxide and a few drops of ammonia to remove any stains that may be present.

When marble is left exposed to acid for an extended length of time, it can scrape or etch the areas where the sealant or polish has worn away. To make etching less noticeable, you may smooth marble. To remove minor blemishes and water stains, just buff the area with dry #0000 steel wool.

They are Expensive

When it comes to countertops, marble is among the most pricey options. Expect to pay a pretty penny, albeit that amount can vary greatly depending on the marble's origin and kind.

Stunning outcomes may be achieved using less expensive materials. In terms of price, size, and quality, granite, for instance, tends to be less expensive than marble.

They May Stain

Carrara marble countertops are amazing for kitchen work. However, you have to keep them clean in order to have a long-lifetime for them. The surface of the countertop might be permanently stained if liquid spills on the marble and stays there. While sealing may temporarily hide the stain, still you have to be aware of the scratches.

Preserving and Caring for Marble Countertops

Maintaining marble countertops on a regular basis will extend their life. For this reason, it is important to protect them after installation so that stains do not settle. If your kitchen is used frequently, you may want to consider sealing it every six months instead of once a year.

Countertops may be refinished, or stains can be removed using a solution of ammonia and hydrogen peroxide. Constant cleaning and occasional polishing are also necessary maintenance tasks for marble.

Avoid using acids on marble countertops since they have a tendency to diminish the sheen of the material. You should also avoid slamming heavy items, such as a belt buckle, against marble since it can chip easily.

Ideas for Marble Countertops

You may have countertops made from a wide variety of marble types and colours, but the majority of them are classified by the veining and colour of the stone. Crema Valencia, with its crimson veins, is suitable for both indoor and outdoor application, while Calacatta Michelangelo is well-suited to minimalist design concepts.

In most cases, marble is available in a variety of colors and veining styles to suit any kitchen's aesthetic. You can find a great range of options when it comes to carrara marble countertops from our website World Class Granite, worldclassgranite.com.

Setting Up a Marble Countertop

Keep in mind that marble is a hefty material if you decide to build your own countertops made of marble. For this reason, it should be placed on a firm and stable basis.

A circular saw and diamond blade are required tools for cutting marble. Water can help you cut more quickly and with less dust. A respirator, earplugs, and goggles will be required gear.

Marble countertop installation is usually completed in four to six hours by a professional, but if you want to do it on your own, you can plan to spend a weekend on the project. For flawless countertops free of sags, exact dimensions are essential, and marble must be flat.

FAQs

What are the disadvantages of Carrara Marble?

Lemon juice and vinegar, both of which are acidic, have a tendency to etch Carrara marble. Additionally, it is more easily damaged by scratches and chipping because of its softer texture compared to other stones.

Is Carrara Marble High Maintenance?

To keep your Carrara marble from being stained, seal it regularly and never use aggressive cleaning products. Although it does require more attention than other materials, it is not overly demanding.

Does Carrara Marble Scratch Easily?

Because of its softer texture, Carrara marble is more likely to sustain scratches than harder stones. Use cutting boards and be careful around anything that might be abrasive.

Which is Better Carrara marble or Quartz?

The preference of the buyer determines whether quartz or Carrara marble is better. Even though it's more work to keep Carrara marble looking its natural, exquisite best, it's worth it. Though it could be missing the distinctive veining of real stone, quartz is more long-lasting, stain-resistant, and low-maintenance. While making a decision, think about your priorities and how you live your life.