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Marble is an opulent rock created from recrystallized carbonate minerals. It’s a beautiful stone that is used in everything from sculptures to home construction, and it’s a favorite option for many homeowners.
When most people think about marble, they think of white-colored stone. However, marble can come in a wide range of colors – not just white! Marble is a popular choice for countertops, thanks to its gorgeous appearance and durability.
However, marble does have some considerable downsides as well (more on those in a minute). So let’s take a look at this much-loved material and how you can get the same look for less with marble-look porcelain tile.
A Quick History of Marble
Before we dive in, it’s worth taking note of marble’s remarkable history. New materials are constantly being developed, so It’s always refreshing to look at the materials that haven’t changed.
Marble is one of the oldest stones on the market, dating back to ancient Rome and Greece, where off-white and white marble was used to create and construct everything from statues and sculptures to architectural columns and more.
In fact, the very first use of marble was in the 3rd century BC in the islands of Naxos and Paros in the Aegean Sea. We can also find its usage early in Italy and Anatolia (Turkey).
In the early days, mining marble was arduous and time-consuming and required chiseling away pieces of the stone with hammers and wedges. The stone itself hasn’t changed much, but production has gotten more efficient over the years.
The fact that marble has stayed around this long speaks a lot about it’s beauty and versatility. So, how are we using marble in modern times?
The Many Uses of Marble in Homes
Marble is still used in many capacities today. From art pieces and interior decoration to luxury construction, monuments, and more, there are numerous uses for this precious and popular stone.
Marble also has several common uses within the home, including:
- Kitchen Countertops
- Bathroom Countertops
- Kitchen Islands
- Backsplashes
- Flooring
- Entryway Flooring
- Shower and Tubs
- Fireplaces
- And more
Of all these uses, countertops are one of the most common uses for marble in homes today. However, marble isn’t necessarily the friendliest material, leading many homeowners to wonder about better alternatives.
The Downsides to Marble
There’s no denying marble’s timeless beauty. However, whether you’re using this stone for your countertops or floors, this natural stone has a few notable downsides.
One of the most significant disadvantages to marble is its hefty price tag. In fact, Marble is the most expensive countertop option coming in at an average of $75-$250 per square foot.
In addition, marble is porous and susceptible to damage from water and heat. It also requires specialized cleaning materials and techniques as well as regular sealing. Marble is incredibly heavy, so it will cost more in labor to get it installed.
Ultimately, many homeowners want the look of this classic stone, but they don’t want all the maintenance and cost headaches that come along with it. That’s where marble-look porcelain tile comes into play.
Achieving the Classic Marble Look with Porcelain Tile
Compared to marble, porcelain tile is more cost-effective, durable, and low maintenance. In addition, porcelain tile resists moisture with ease and is a terrific option for floors and countertops alike.
Porcelain tiles come in several different styles, including a marble-look. In other words, you can have all the benefits of a porcelain countertop, and it can look just like marble at a fraction of the cost.
Installation is easy, too. With porcelain tile countertops, you don’t have to worry about maneuvering heavy stone. Porcelain tile is also non porous, heat-resistant, etch-resistant, and stain-resistant, making it a terrific choice for bathroom and kitchen counters.
If you want the appearance of marble countertops without the price tag or maintenance issues, marble-look porcelain tile is the way to go. However, you need to use a trusted manufacturer because all porcelain isn’t created equally.
The Best Marble-Look Porcelain Tile
At BuildDirect, we partner with the best manufacturers to bring you the widest selection of marble-look porcelain tile on the market. We offer options like our Statuario Marble collection to give you the look of marble with a price point that matches your budget.
In addition, all our marble-look tiles are high-quality and durable, so they’re perfect for your countertop (or floors). So, if you want the best marble-look porcelain tile on the market, look no further than BuildDirect.
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