Marble is a metamorphic stone that’s created from limestone being exposed to huge amounts of pressure over a long period of time, and it’s one of the oldest and most gorgeous natural stones in existence.
Its popularity is nothing new either. People have loved marble all the way back to the days of ancient Greece and ancient Rome. The people of those times used marble to construct all types of structures—from handheld figurines to giant pillars—some of which still stand to this day. If that doesn’t prove how tough marble is, we don’t know what will.
Marble in Ancient History
Marble’s beauty is what drew the ancient Romans and Greeks to it first, but the process of acquiring marble through mining wasn’t nearly as straightforward for them as it is for us today. They used hammers and wedges to free the marble from the earth, which took quite a bit of manpower and time. After it was freed, they pulled it from the ground with pulleys, winches, levers, and wooden beams. When there’s a will, there’s a way.
Marble wasn’t just used to make figurines and pillars; it was also used generously for flooring. The ancient peoples loved using it for floors because of all the different variations that were available due to the different minerals that were present in each slab. White marble is rich in calcite, red is rich in hematite, and green and yellow are rich in limonite.
Marble in 2021
Even though the use of marble began over two thousand years ago, you could argue that it’s only gotten more popular with age. It’s still used for plenty of structural purposes, and its aesthetic is appreciated and utilized by many people all over the world. You can find marble in modern buildings and places of worship in the flooring, walls, and countertops.
Marble’s Classic Beauty
Marble is known for the way it adds class and luxury to a home. Pure white variations of marble bring a stark, bright, and clean look to a kitchen that transforms it into something striking and classic.
Because there are so many colors, there are plenty of options to choose from—and so many of our customers appreciate the many different moods that marble is capable of creating. Because there are so many choices of marble, there’s sure to be something that fits the bill of the kitchen that you’re planning.
Because marble is a natural stone, there’s no such thing as two identical slabs. Each and every slab is unique, meaning that no one else in the world will have a countertop quite like yours.
Benefits of Marble
Beauty isn’t the only reason why people love marble—there are plenty of other reasons too.
We’ve gone over the fact that marble is long lasting. If there are pieces of it still sticking around from over two thousand years ago, there’s no doubt that it will be able to last in your kitchen. Even if the initial price of the stone is expensive, the countertop will eventually pay for itself down the road, as long as it’s properly cared for and maintained. These countertops are a worthwhile investment also because they automatically raise the resale value of your home.
We also stated that marble is known for its wide variety, and that’s another reason why people love it. No matter the style or color scheme in your kitchen, you’re sure to find a slab of marble that fits what you’re looking for.
Maintaining Marble Countertops
Marble is a stone that’s on the higher maintenance side of things, but it’s worth it. The first thing that you have to do to take care of your marble is to seal it—this helps protect it from water damage and chipping but doesn’t do much against colorful spills like wine. When it comes to substances like that, it’s best to steer clear of your marble if you’re on the klutzy side.
Choosing what cleaning products to use matters greatly with marble; something too acidic can cause damage to the countertop. We recommend using gentle dish detergent (or just soap), warm water, and a soft cloth. It’s as simple as that.
Marble: Then and Now
Marble isn’t perfect—no countertop material is. But it has more positive aspects than negative ones, and something that’s been around for thousands of years has to hold its own weight by now. If you have questions about marble or would like to schedule a consultation with us, give Sanford Granite a call at (321) 578-9329.
