Wondering about the care required for marble slabs? Toronto
buyers who know more about marble’s natural properties can make informed
decisions when upgrading their kitchen.
Sophisticated Design
Of all the natural stones, marble is the most elegant and
sophisticated. For centuries, marble has adorned palaces of kings and queens as
well as in some of the most famous buildings around the world. Artists have used
marble to create timeless sculptures and other works featured in prominent
museums. Adding marble to your kitchen allows you to offer and air of classic
sophistication throughout the room through its unique design. No two slabs of
marble are the same, so using marble slabs for floors, countertops and
backsplashes will offer individual style. Buyers should not use samples when
selecting marble slabs. Toronto show rooms give their customers an opportunity
to look at the entire slab before purchasing – allowing them to see the big
picture when designing! Understanding
marble and the properties of this natural stone will allow buyers to make
informed
decisions when shopping for their dream kitchen!
A Canvas for Nature’s
Art
Marble is quarried in large sheets of rock called slabs.
These slabs have natural aesthetic features, including patterns and vibrant
colours. You can think of these slabs as nature’s canvas for a beautiful work
of art. The larger slabs are cut down into thinner, more manageable sheets for
consumers. It’s easier for installers to line up slabs for flooring, counter
tops or backsplashes compared to using different tiles to get the same striking
visual impact.
Unlike many other natural stones, marble can take a high
polish. While it does not have the same shine to it like quartz or granite,
marble has a very smooth finish to it as a result of its polish. Polishing will
also bring the colouring in the stone out more, almost popping out of the
marble itself to catch the eye. As a result, polished marble is very slippery,
so buyers should be wary when using it as flooring material.
Understanding Marble
and its Care
When buying marble slabs, Toronto buyers should know about
marble’s properties. Although dense and heavy, marble has some characteristics
that may impact its care and maintenance.
- Marble is softer than granite, quartz or
ceramics. It is more susceptible to scratches as a result. Marble must be
sealed to protect it from damage. It must be resilient
enough to withstand high traffic areas.
- Because it is very porous in nature, marble can
soak up stains easier than other natural stones. It can be used for countertops
or floors, but again, it must be sealed consistently to do so.
- Due to its "softness”, marble is often used for
walls, mantelpieces or fireplaces as well. Using marble on accent pieces like
these really offers a unique design feature for any living room.
- Marble is very expensive. Making mistakes when
installing marble is very different from installing tiles or mosaics, and the
do-it-yourself handy person may want to avoid trying to do the job themselves.
Work with a fabricator for best results. These are professionals who are
trained in installing natural stones.
The selection process for choosing marble is easy. Buyers
visit a showroom and select their slab of marble. They independently contact a
fabricator, who will work with the buyers to install the marble slabs for their
intended purpose. The fabricator will contact the showroom to order the marble
slabs. Toronto natural stone companies will not recommend a fabricator for the
customer as it could lead to a conflict of interest. Toronto marble slab buyers
will need to procure their own fabricator and decide with them how it will be
used in their home design.
Once installed, marble is quite
easy to maintain.Using a sealer specifically for marble is very convenient; simply spray the
sealer onto the marble countertop and use a clean, white cloth to spread the
sealer evenly across the counter or surface. The sealer will soak into the
counter and, after about five minutes, rub and wipe away any remaining sealer. With
proper maintenance, marble slabs will last a lifetime and add an air of luxury
to any room in your home!