All the great buildings have it! Magnificent European cathedrals. The General Assembly Hall of the United Nations. The Parliament buildings in Ottawa. The Washington Monument. They are all built with marble – and there’s a very good reason why. Marble equals prestige. These buildings all want to make a statement and marble is only one stone that can truly do that. A marble counter in Vaughan will do just the same thing for your home.

 

Marble’s linguistic root is most likely the Greek word "marmaron,” which means, "shining stone.” The stone is the result of the metamorphosing of sedimentary carbonite rocks – usually limestone or dolomite. The result is an intertwining mosaic of carbonite crystals, unique in their swirls. Those swirls are themselves caused by impurities in the base rock: silt, sand, clay and iron oxides.

 

Marble comes from all over the world. Italy gives us Carrara marble in white or blue grey. From Ireland comes Connemara, green of course. Quarries in Vermont and Georgia contribute marble from this side of the Atlantic. And now, much of it is ending up in private homes – and there’s no reason why you can’t also afford and enjoy marble’s elegance.

 

 

Marble exudes a beauty, a softness, and suggestion of certain class that is not always available in granite or limestone. It does not conduct heat well and is naturally cool, so as a countertop it is wonderful for working with pastry. The cost factor can be surprisingly reasonable. Some of the rarer types of marble are expensive but the common Carrara from Italy is one of the least expensive natural countertops. Marble – and a good selection of it – is also readily available.

 

There are drawbacks. Marble can scratch easily, either by sharp implements or anything acidic. For example, a slice of lemon left overnight on a polished countertop can dull the surface. A cutting board is needed for marble countertops. Marble can also stain; red wine and some fruits will add unwelcome colour to your counter. So too can drinks leave ring marks, and hot drinks or pots will scorch its surface. (A honed surface can solve some of the foregoing issues.) Marble requires routine resealing and the stone is not something you can install yourself. No two pieces of marble are alike, so it’s not possible to match tiles or slabs. And, finally – marble flooring is slippery when wet.

 

 

Another popular use of marble, apart from countertops and flooring, is as backsplashes, both in the kitchen and around washroom vanities. They can be used to contrast darker colours; for example, a bold marble will complement a darker countertop material. Stone contrasts well with stainless steel appliances. Tiles in different colour variations are especially effective in kitchens that have a white base or plain, light wooden cabinets. Small marble tiles can be a real room-brightener, as well as a great outlet for your own inner designer!

 

So, weigh up the advantages and disadvantages of marble. The former will most likely prevail, given marble’s relative good cost factor and flexibility in colour and application. For a sturdy stone, it can enhance almost any décor.