White marble is a timeless material with wide-ranging applications. From classical bathrooms to contemporary kitchens, white marble suits a number of design styles and personal tastes. If you’re seriously considering white marble for your Houston home, follow these four tips to make sure it’s the right choice.
Understand Different Types of White Marble in Houston
Choosing white marble might sound specific enough, but there are actually two types.
- Carrara marble is grayer in color and has soft, often linear veining. If you like this look, Carrara may be the best choice because it’s less expensive and more readily available than Calacatta.
- Calacatta marble is whiter in color with more dramatic, heavy veining. This type of marble is rarer and considered even more of the luxury stone than Carrara.
There are also type different types of finishes:
- Polished marble features a high-gloss sheen for the deepest color and most beautiful luster. The polish makes the marble less prone to staining, making it ideal for kitchen countertops.
- Honed marble has a smooth, satin finish. To prevent staining, honed marble requires more frequent sealing. However, it does a better job of hiding flaws than polished marble.
READ MORE: Using White Marble: Hot Debate
Consider the Application
Marble is a unique type of stone. It ages and wears over time, especially if you install it as a flooring material. It’s best to reserve marble for applications that don’t have to withstand heavy foot traffic. Popular applications for marble in Houston homes include:
- Bathroom and kitchen countertops
- Shower and bathtub walls
- Kitchen backsplashes
- Fireplace surrounds
- Bathroom floors
Consider the Way You Live
Marble in Houston doesn’t just give off the appearance of luxury and refinement; it requires this attitude from the people who have it installed in their homes. If you’re the type of homeowner who picks up after yourself immediately and works every day to maintain a clean and tidy home, white marble could be the perfect way to translate your lifestyle into your surroundings.
However, if you’re more of a busy, on-the-go homeowner who places less of priority on wiping down the counters every day, marble could end up being more of a hassle than you bargained for. After all, marble is more prone to staining and etching than other materials. This means if you leave spilled acidic substances – such as wine, marinara sauce, lemons and blueberries – to sit overnight, you could end up inadvertently damaging your white marble countertops.
Be honest about the type of lifestyle you live to help you decide if marble’s higher upkeep is worth it.
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Understand Maintenance Requirements
Aside from wiping down marble countertops and mopping marble floors often to prevent staining and etching, here are other maintenance steps you should complete if you have marble installed to help prolong its life:
- Seal the marble: A sealer doesn’t protect marble against everything, but it gives you more time to wipe up acidic substances from countertops and floors before they can do any harm. A sealed marble fireplace surround also protects it against soot stains.
- Spot treat the marble: Only use spray cleaners made specifically for marble. These are available from home improvement stores and allow you to spot treat and seal marble as needed. Periodically rubbing down a marble countertop or bathroom floor near the tub and toilet helps prevent extra wear in these high-use areas.
- Move heavy objects carefully: Marble cracks and scratches more easily than other stones. If you install marble on the floor, be careful when moving furniture across it. Also, always use a cutting board instead of cutting directly on a marble countertop surface.
- Buff marble: If your marble has become scratched or etched, it’s not too late. Gently buff the surface to remove minor flaws and restore the marble to a newer appearance.
With the right expectations and maintenance, marble could clearly be the perfect material to add to your Houston home!
