Every slab of marble is a unique piece of art—literally! No two slabs in the entire world are the same because marble is made within the earth. It also has a patina that develops over time, which is something that not many homeowners are aware of.
There’s actually quite a lot that homeowners aren’t aware of when it comes to this natural stone, and that’s exactly why we wrote this article.
Details to Watch For
As you’re shopping around for marble slabs, here are a few details that you should pay attention to:
How the marble slabs complement each other
Choosing a marble slab isn’t as simple as finding one that looks good in your kitchen. While that’s part of the decision, there’s more to think about. You also have to consider where the veining is going to be located before you set the slab on the countertop. It should be placed so the veining is aesthetically pleasing, not hectic or too busy.
The veining in the marble
We’ve already mentioned how you should consider the veining when placing your marble countertops, but you also must consider it when placing two marble slabs together. If the veining patterns don’t coincide, you could end up creating an eyesore for your kitchen.
The finish
Many people choose their marble countertops in a polished finish. Polished finishes are known for their glossy aesthetic, and matte finishes are known for being flatter. Besides polished and matte, though, there are more finishes to choose from. Make sure to look into all of your options before settling on one. You want to make sure your countertop is perfect!
The edge profile
Edge profiles can make your marble slab completely personalized. They can add personality to a plain sharp, ninety-degree corner, and marble slabs lend themselves very well to the creation of edges. Why? Because marble is a soft stone and very easy to sculpt. It’s no wonder that so many famous sculptures are made of it! Creating an edge profile also helps to prevent chips, because ninety-degree corners can be somewhat susceptible to them.
Fissures vs. cracks
If you spot a crack in your marble countertop before it’s installed, that means it’s been poorly handled and most likely been dropped. Make sure to keep an eye out for this, because it doesn’t bode well for your countertop’s future. Fissures, on the other hand, are not the same as cracks. Fissures occur naturally in slabs of marble, and your fingernail should be able to run across them without catching. Fissures don’t degrade the integrity of your stone—they are a unique occurrence and should be viewed as a positive aspect of marble.
And Don’t Forget . . .
Here are a few more things that you should keep in mind when on the hunt for the perfect marble countertop:
Staining and absorption
Marble is a very porous stone by nature, more so than granite and quartz. But different types of marble have different absorption rates, which is something you should research before landing on the stone that speaks to you. The lower the absorbency of the stone, the less likely it is to stain.
Sealing
Marble countertops require sealing in order to maintain their great looks and quality. But sealing isn’t a tough procedure—talk to us at True Blue Surfaces about how often you should seal your marble countertops.
To test whether your sealant needs to be redone, you can always perform the ice water test. Just set a glass of ice water on the surface of your countertop and wait for a while. If the condensation from the glass beads up on the marble’s surface after you lift the glass, your sealant is still good. If you notice a dark ring on the marble countertop after you lift the glass, it’s probably time to reseal.
Making Marble Your Own
At True Blue Surfaces, we love marble countertops—and we want you to love them too. If you’re interested in incorporating marble into your home, get in touch with us today.