Carrara Marble 101 – Important Facts to Know

Marbles are beautiful natural stones and installing them in any space is guaranteed to help boost its appeal and overall appearance. There are different types of marbles found on the market right now and one of these is none other than the Carrara marble.

What is a Carrara Marble?

Carrara marble is actually the most common kind of light colored marble and it belongs to the category of economical marbles. This is available in different shades of gray and white. This marble has a whitish gray background with leathery, thin, and linear veining pattern. Thanks to this unique veining and contrast of colors, identifying Carrara marble is easy and simple.

It is believed that it was as far back as the times of the Roman civilization when the Carrara marble was first used. It was during 1564 when the Cybo and Malaspina families formed the Office of Marble that was in charge of the industry of marble mining. The Basilica of Massa and the Ducal Palace of Massa were both built using Carrara marble and the structures served as a great way to showcase the stunning beauty of this stone.

The Many Uses of Carrara Marble Through the Years

Carrara marble has been used in art, interior decoration, and construction industries. These structural and decorative applications are used on residential and commercial spaces as well. Back in the days, the people of ancient civilizations, such as the Romans, would use Carrara marble to build religious sculptures, buildings, and monuments to appease the deities and gods. Even monotheistic religions like Christianity, Islam, and Judaism used this gorgeous stone to decorate their worship places.

For the longest time, marble has been regarded as the royalty’s stone. Carrara marble in particular served as adornments of floors of numerous castles, forts, and palaces. This was also used to cover important offices and buildings of the government.

Common Applications of Carrara Marble

We use Carrara marble for our sinks and vanities. Carrara marble has countless of exciting uses and applications. From tumbled, to honed, to polished Carrara marble, all types of finish has a long list of applications. Here are some of the areas and places where you can use Carrara marble depending on the type of the finished product available on the market:

1. Carrara Marble Tiles – Carrara marble tiles can be used on floors of corridors and hallways, lounge, bedrooms, shower areas, bathroom, and kitchen. These tiles are also perfect as kitchen backsplashes, decorations for fireplace surrounds, and as coverings for bathroom walls.
2. Carrara Marble Slabs – Carrara marble slabs have two primary applications – stair treads and kitchen or bathroom countertops. You can install Carrara marble slabs in your kitchen as traditional countertops or use them to cover a kitchen island.
3. Carrara Marble Pavers – Carrara marble pavers are often used for the exterior decoration of areas like pools, decks, garden stepping stones and pathways, patios, fountains, gazebos, courtyards, driveways, and walkways. These can also be used to cover fire pits and retaining walls.

Carrara marble is undeniably a magnificent material that can add a touch of sophistication to any space while boasting of all the glory of marble. Thanks to its more affordable price tag compared to other types of white marble, no one can stop you from using Carrara marble to revamp both the exterior and interior of your home. 

Carrara marble is known far and wide for its sturdy nature, striking veining, and out-of-this -world elegance. This stunning stone can make any space more beautiful than ever and it can do so for a long period of time.

But, just like any other type of natural stone, Carrara marble is also prone to all sorts of damages after years of usage, particularly when handled improperly. However, as long as you know how to maintain and clean your Carrara marble, you can be sure that you will be able to protect its flawless appearance and make it look shiny and new for as long as possible.

Remember these tips to ensure that your Carrara marble is in its best shape and condition:

Proper and Regular Maintenance

Proper and regular maintenance is important if you are really serious about making sure that your Carrara marble looks spotless and pristine.

The easiest and safest way to make it free from grime and dirt is by using a good detergent and warm water when cleaning it. Try to look for and use a good detergent especially made to clean marble products. Avoid using acidic substances like vinegar or even soap to clean your Carrara marble. This is because these products can make your marble suffer from permanent damages.

Use warm water to rinse the marble after you clean it with a good quality detergent. Wipe it carefully with a clean cloth. This can be done every several days or every week although it is recommended to ensure that your marble doesn’t stay covered in grime and dirt for over a week.

Sealing

Carrara marble should be sealed 3 to 5 times a year on a minimum using a marble sealant of good quality. A sealant is essential for almost all types of naturally occurring types of porous stones used in construction or building projects. Sealants can help fill the stone’s natural holes and pits to prevent dirt, spill, and moisture absorption.

A sealant not just helps extend the life of Carrara marble for at the same time, it can also preserve its natural beautiful appearance. Make sure you ask the company where you bought the marble and seek their professional advice on the best type of sealant that suits your marble.

Polishing

Polishing can do wonders when it comes to preserving the luster and smoothness of your Carrara marble. This also helps you eliminate any roughness on the marble’s surface. You can let a professional do the job for you or you could also go DIY using a buffing pad and marble powder that you can easily purchase from companies that sell stones. Once done with the polishing, rinse off any residue powder on the marble and use a soft cloth to dry its surface. Carrara marble should be polished twice or thrice a year.

Repairing

Refrain from fixing the cracks on your Carrara marble on your own unless you have enough experience in marble repairing or you risk making the problem worse. In this case, you need to let a professional handle any necessary repair on your marble. Only experts can carefully handle and fix the damages on Carrara marble. 

Resources 

“Carrara Marble.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 9 Jan. 2020, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carrara_marble.

Durand, Faith. “My Experience of Living With Marble Countertops: One Year Later.” Kitchn, Apartment Therapy, LLC., 2 May 2019, www.thekitchn.com/living-with-marble-countertops-one-year-later-203189.

“The Differences Between Calacatta and Carrara Marble.” Marble.com, 5 Jan. 2018, marble.com/articles/the-differences-between-calacatta-and-carrara-marble.