Marbles: learn what their types are and how to make the right choice!

Antonio Neves
Written by
Antonio Neves
Published on
9/3/2024
Updated on
31/3/2024
Marbles: learn what their types are and how to make the right choice!

Marble is a material that enchants anyone, because of its ability to add elegance and sophistication to any environment. Whether on the floor, as a coating on stairs, fireplaces, countertops and tubs, marble can be used in a variety of ways and adds another face to any area. You may have noticed how the marble is being increasingly included in architectural projects, making them more beautiful and refined, isn't it? If you are thinking of using marbles for your project or if you just want to know how to better preserve it, this article is for you!

Here, we have separated some very important information about marbles and since there are several types of them, it is essential that you know their differences to choose the right type of marble and in which places it is worth using it. Therefore, here in this article, you will learn about the differences between marble and other types of stones, what are their types and colors, what is the value, the most common finishes and, finally, how they should be maintained. Then, read this article to the end, as I'm sure it will be useful for you! Let's go!

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What are the differences between marble and other types of stones?

Let's first understand some important differences between marble and other types of stones.

When we talk about granite, there are divergences clear between this type of stone and marble, despite the fact that both are natural stones. Among them, we can observe differences regarding:

  • To shine: marble has less natural shine than granite. However, there are finishing techniques that can change this picture.
  • To toughness: granite is stronger and harder than marble, but this does not mean that marble is fragile.
  • To texture: while granite is more grainy, marble has vein-like marks.
  • To porosity: marble is more porous than granite and is more subject to moisture. Therefore, it requires greater care.

As for synthetic stones, it is possible to find many of them on the market, but they do not offer the charm of a legitimate marble, which gives originality and enhances the environment. But they are still a good option because they are much cheaper.

What are the colors and types of marble stone?

You may already know the most common types of marble, but it is worth highlighting them to better understand each of them. Os types and the most common colors are:

  • Carrara marble: it originated in Italy and is one of the best known and most sought after because of its light color with gray veins, which gives lightness to environments and versatility to use it in various ways. Although beautiful, because it is white, greater care must be taken, since it is easier to stain it.
  • Travertine marble: also of Italian origin, travertine marble has very long veins and, generally, its tones vary between light shades of beige. Because they are more porous, it is recommended that they be used indoors.
  • Nero marble: better known as black marble, originates in Spain and its main characteristic is that it is black with white veins standing out. This type of marble offers a lot of refinement to the environments, leaving them with a contemporary decoration.
  • Piguês marble: it has a Greek origin and is more similar to Carrara marble, but it is a more homogeneous stone, with more discreet veins.
  • Calacatta Gold Marble: it is one of the most expensive marbles on the market and its characteristic is that it is white with veins in shades of gray and gold. It must be used indoors to avoid stains.

There are also other marble colors, in addition to those mentioned above. They are: Emperador Brown, Bahia Beige, Rosso Verona, Crema Marfil, Branco Nacional, and others.

Which marble is the cheapest? And the most expensive?

What I can say about the value of marble is that it's not the cheapest option on the market. However, the aesthetic finish that marbles offer to environments is indisputable. So, if you chose to use marble in your construction, you should be aware that you will need to reserve a good amount of financial resources, right? But because it is a noble piece that highly values the work, it is a very interesting option.

If you are looking for an option that is not so expensive, I suggest that you look for granites, which also give a very pleasant effect to the environments.

Thus, marble values vary depending on its type, color and required size. Therefore, it is not possible to generalize them. The ideal is to make a budget with reliable companies that work with this type of stone. One of the most expensive marbles on the market is Thassos marble, with a square meter of up to R$ 1,400.00 but there is no question about its beauty, as it is an impeccable coating!

What is the best marble?

This is also a very comprehensive question, as everything will depend on what you want. Then, it is important to define which marble is most interesting for the purpose you want, either because of the aesthetics or even the maintenance or other particular characteristics of each of them.

Therefore, talk to your architect and make quotes with trusted companies to define which one best suits your needs.

What are the most common finishes for marble?

In addition to the types of marble that we have already presented in this article, it is possible to give different finishes to the surfaces, which also interferes not only with the appearance but also with the maintenance of the stone over the years. Therefore, this is a very important point to consider before defining which marble to choose for your work. Let's understand.

gross: this type of finish occurs when the stone does not receive any type of treatment and is used in a natural way, just as found in nature.

Polished: when polished, marble is very shiny, but it can become very slippery.

Sandblasted: offers a rough appearance to the stone and is more recommended for outdoor areas due to its rusticity.

Levigado: marble undergoes a process that leaves its texture smooth, with a semi-polished appearance, but without shine.

How to clean and preserve marble?

Marble cleaning does not require a lot of special care. It should be done with a damp cloth with soap and water. Some stones, if very porous, care must be taken to avoid too much direct contact with water to avoid stains. However, this is a problem that can be avoided when using a water repellent. In addition to keeping the marble protected against the effects of water, it makes it easy to clean.

It is also important to hire good professionals to ensure a good placement of the pieces. That makes all the difference in stone conservation.

Do you already know BlokSeal? If not, I'll explain why you need to use it on the marble of your building! BlokSeal is a water-repellent silicone high-performance that, when applied, creates an invisible protective layer that prevents water infiltration. Thus, in addition to protecting the surface against moisture, it eliminates possible stain problems resulting from infiltration and makes cleaning even easier, by preventing the accumulation of dirt. BlokSeal also doesn't change the characteristics of the material, leaving you free to finish your stone however you want!

Conclusion

Now that you know everything about marbles, you have enough information to choose the best type for your work. It is also important to make a good budget with serious companies that work with these stones in addition to hiring an experienced team to carry out the work in order to avoid problems in the future. And, remember to consult the team at Blok to understand what is the best product to help preserve and clean marble. Use BlokSeal to ensure more quality for your stone! You won't regret it. I hope this article helped you! Until next time.

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