Natural Marble Flooring and Countertops

Marble makes an excellent choice for natural stone flooring. Because marble stone flooring and countertops are formed by nature, the patterns are always one-of-a-kind. Because marble is formed in extreme conditions deep within the Earth, marble floors and countertops are heat resistant. Pressure and heat inside the Earth acting on limestone combine to form the many varieties of marble you see in flooring and marble countertops.

The different patterns inside the marble take months of continuous heat and pressure to form. Marble can take on many different colors such as gray, pink, white, blue, black, brown, gold, and more. Marble is a popular and durable building, flooring, and countertop material particularly because of its durability and unique beauty. Marble provides a stylish, classy, and unique look to facades, countertops, fireplaces, and floors. 

Because marble is an extremely strong and durable material, it can be used in floors, countertops, and fireplace surrounds. Calcium carbonate present in marble helps to create its lustrous appearance. Cleaning marble is simple with a mild soap and water. Or you can use a cleaning product specifically formulated for marble. Do not use acids of any kind on marble. They will damage and dull your marble. Even acidic drinks such as wine or acidic juices can damage or stain marble. So be careful when handling acidic beverages. If your marble countertop gets damaged, it can be repaired by a professional.

Kitchen Counter Top Choices

If you're ready to get new kitchen counter tops, there are many styles and materials to choose from. Natural stone, laminate, solid surface, and wood are all possibilities and they all have their advantages. Here are some tips and explanations of the different types of kitchen counter top materials available.

First, natural stone (granite, marble, or quartz) makes an absolutely beautiful counter top. Granite countertops are extremely hard and durable and highly stain, scratch and heat resistant. Granite is visually appealing and comes in many one of a kind designs. Some types of generic granite need to be sealed yearly. However, higher end granite counter tops often come with a seal that is good for 15 years or more. Quartz is another natural stone counter top that is great for the kitchen. Because Quartz is naturally nonporous and stain resistant, it does not require sealing. Quartz is ideal for counter tops and comes in a variety of colors. It can also be treated to be antimicrobial. However, do not use chemical cleaners on your natural stone counter tops. Only use cleaners that are specifically for your stone counter top. Marble is a softer stone but as long as it is properly sealed and cleaned (only use marble cleaner!) it makes attractive counter tops.

Laminate counter tops are a good choice if you are cutting costs. Laminate is durable and good for homes with children and busy kitchens and cost less than natural stone. Solid surface counter tops like Corian can mimic the look of natural stone at a fraction of the cost. Solid surface counter tops are easy to care for and clean, but are susceptible to scratching and heat damage, so use a trivet for the hot pots and pans. Wood adds warmth and beauty to your kitchen. New woodein counter tops are treated with oils to make them water and stain resistant.