Marble Countertops in Bend Oregon
Marble products are processed from blocks that are quarried all over the world. This metamorphic rock is composed primarily of calcium carbonate and other minerals that create a wide variety of colors. Marble is commonly calcite, or dolomite, subject to etching if any acidic substances come into contact with the marble.
If you’re looking for spectacular, sophisticated appeal, a marble countertop may be the right choice for you. Since marble is derived from solidified lava, it offers a stunning display of color – from classic neutrals to shades of rose, gold, gray, sage, and yellow. For applications where high heat will be present, marble is resistant and stands up to pots and pans.
Marble is commonly used for vanities, floor tiles, wall tiles, & other surfaces such as fireplaces, columns, balustrades, water tables, steps, thresholds & windowsills. Many homeowners choose it for fireplace surrounds because it won’t discolor over time.
You may have concerns about installing marble due to its porous nature; it’s even more porous than granite and will absorb liquids, so oil, wine, juices, and acids will penetrate quickly. The stains can be difficult, if not impossible, to remove.
There are sealants that can prevent liquids from absorbing, but it’s necessary to apply upon installation and every year or so. While marble is quite durable, it may not work well in busy kitchens where it can be scratched by knives or chipped by heavy pots.
Southward Contracting can help you decide if marble is the right choice for your application. Our design team is happy to assist you.
Marble Countertop FAQ
Granite and Marble are 100% natural stone quarried from the earth, while Quartz is a synthetic man-made material made to mimic natural stone.
Granite and Marble have similarities, they come in many colors, each slab being unique. They are both durable, resistant to heat, scratches, and stains, they also have many differences. Granite and Marble are both relatively easy to maintain, they should both be sealed during the fabrication process prior to customer installation.
Granite and marble also have many differences. Granite is formed deep in the earth’s mantle at extremely high temperatures. It is a very hard, resistant stone made of crystallized minerals. The marble family (limestone, travertine, marble, and onyx) start out as sediment. They are animal skeletons and shells, plant matter, silt, at the bottom of bodies of water. This solidifies into stone. Because its main component is calcium, it can be affected by acids such as vinegar and citrus. When it comes to care and maintenance, Marble is not quite as tough as Granite and Quartz as it is a porous material and is more susceptible to stains, chips, and scratches.
Quartz, being a man-made product, has, in most cases, a uniform appearance in comparison to granite or marble. Quartz countertops are engineered from approximately 93% natural quartz, blended with advanced polymer resins and colorfast pigments to create an elegant, durable work surface. In a quartz countertop you may have small pieces of quartz, granite, and even recycled mirror particles or colored glass. These materials are all mixed together with the resin, poured into a large block mold. Vacuums and Vibration help to press out the air, then the quartz blocks are “baked” in a special process using heat and pressure. Once the quartz block is baked, it is loaded into a gangsaw to be sliced, you can liken this to a bread slicer slicing a loaf of bread.
Then the slabs are polished on one face and prepared for shipment. Once at the stone fabricator, the quartz slabs can be finished with any custom countertop edge, based on customer preference. Quartz countertops come standard in a polished finished, and can be customized with a honed finish as well. Additionally, some quartz manufacturers offer a leathered finish for some colors.
Being natural stones, marble and granite have been blessed with remarkable characteristics that have captivated humans throughout the ages. Inherent in such natural products is a certain lack of predictability that architects and designers celebrate.
Homeowners who are less acquainted with the material expect the stone ordered to be identical to a picture or sample they were shown. Although sample stones are intended to be representative of the quarry’s product, the material quarried at one time may differ slightly in color and veining from the sample.
Moreover, even a single marble or granite slab will possess a certain amount of color variation from one end to the other.
Interior designers and architects have come to view this tendency of natural stone as an advantage. Slight irregularities can be pleasing, introducing an element of the natural into human-designed spaces.
Yes. Marble since ancient times has been used in all areas of homes from furnishings to floors. Marble has proven as durable as materials traditionally considered to be sturdier with the added benefit of creating a warm welcoming atmosphere.
Marble countertops can be scratched more easily than harder stone such as granite. Marble is sometimes used in the kitchen as a pastry slab because it is a perfectly smooth cool surface. Marble is ideal for rolling out dough and pie crusts. However keep in mind that the ideal material for the kitchen is granite. Marble pieces that have a honed finish will not etch because their surfaces start out with a matte finish.
Because marble (and limestone) are calcium carbonate, the polished surface is more vulnerable to household acids including vinegar, mustard, ketchup, citrus and a host of other food-related products. These acidic substances cause a chemical reaction that will remove the polish.
It is a natural stone formed from fossil sediment deposits, which have been placed under the earth with tremendous pressure. The combination of the natural materials in these deposits, along with natural geologic events, produces unique veining with a richness of depth and intensity. Marble material is generally softer than granite, therefore scratching occurs more so on marble. This characteristic should be considered when making your stone selection.
Generally, marble countertops are recommended for such places as: bathrooms, bar tops, fireplaces, etc; and granite countertops are generally utilized for kitchen countertops. However, if desired, marble can be used for any countertop.
Marble is available in a multitude of colors from light to dark, and generally boasts beautiful flowing veins. This unequalled beauty makes marble a natural choice for countertops, bath vanities, wall and floor tiles or slabs, and tub and fireplace surrounds.
Commercially, the term “marble” applies to any compact limestone that will take a polish, which includes most of the colored marbles, except some of the greens.
Etching happens when acid in some form comes in contact with a polished marble or limestone surface. This causes a chemical reaction that removes the polish, or roughens the surface of honed stone. Green marbles, such as the “jades” from China are resistant to etching, and granite is impervious to any common household acids
Some green stones, such as the “jades” from Taiwan, are not truly marble, but a different material called serpentinite.
Serpentinites, or serpentines, as they are sometimes called, do not etch or react to acids the way limestone and marble do, and are somewhat harder. Green tiles of this family must always be installed with an epoxy adhesive to prevent the curling that can take place if a water-based setting material is used.
