What is marble? Beware of the heat density in marble before installing a marble fireplace. Marble is a metamorphosed limestone that is composed of pure calcite, which is a form of calcium carbonate, says...
Marble is a metamorphosed limestone that is composed of pure calcite, which is a form of calcium carbonate, says Richard Carey, General Manager for Stone Legends, an architectural stone company that has been in business for 15 years. According to JohnBridge.com, marble is stone that has been transformed from limestone. Marble picks up fossils and the fossils are instilled in the final piece, so needless to say marble is millions of years old.
Marble is brought into mills in large chunks to be processed. At the mill marble is cut into slabs and tiles to be used as a masonry product for residential or commercial properties. Many marble tiles contain "faults," which are imperfections that appear to be veins in the stone. When very noticeable, "the imperfections are filled with tinted resins before the tiles receive their final polishing at the factory," the website states.
Marble, compared to other natural cut stone is very soft and scratches easily. It should not be placed in high traffic areas of the home. Marble also has to be cleaned and polished regularly or it will oxidize. The amount of porosity in the marble determines how it should be cleaned. "When polishing, be gentle and make sure to cover the whole surface," says Carey.
Marble is used as a decorative piece for sculptures, building materials, fireplaces, and other masonry applications. When marble is installed onto fireplaces, remember that all marble is not created equal. Heat will test the marble's density and create air pockets in the marble. The less dense it is, the more the air pockets will expand and develop problems for the homeowner in the future.
Marble is also very susceptible to citric acid and vinegar. Because of this, marble is not a wise choice to use on kitchen floors, kitchen counters, or in showers says JohnBridge.com, "For example, orange juice if not wiped up instantly, will etch the surface of the stone." He says it is not a good choice for showers either because of the chemicals in bath soaps and shampoos. Don't use cleaners that contain acid such as bathroom cleaners or grout cleaners on marble surfaces. Also, don't mix bleach and ammonia together because this will create a toxic and lethal gas that not only harms your marble but also can harm the homeowner.
However, marble is aesthetically pleasing and elegant. Since it is an eye catching decorative object, marble should be placed in an area such as an entryway.
If marble were to be installed in showers, Bridge recommends to wipe the marble down and then let it completely dry after each use. Polish the marble once a week with polish from a marble and tile store. First, clean the marble with specific cleaner, and never scrub or brush the stone to avoid scratches. Then polish the marble delicately on a regular basis. If this sounds like a lot of work to a busy family, then granite is the wiser choice. Granite is more expensive, but holds up well in a home, says Bridge.
