Carrara marble is one of the most well-known and beloved types of marble in the world. Due to its unique appearance and durability, it is often used in luxury construction projects and interior designs. Think, for example, of the well-known Carrara tile.
Italian Carrara Marble - What Is It?
Carrara marble is a type of marble that comes from the marble quarries in the Apuan Alps in the Italian Carrara region, located in the northwest of the Tuscany region. Because of its beautiful white color and gray veins that create an elegant and luxurious look, it is one of the most sought-after types of marble. In addition, there are different types of Italian Carrara marble, such as Bianco Carrara marble, making it a popular choice in luxury interior design.
Carrara marble has been quarried and used for sculptures and architectural purposes since Roman times. Today, it is widely used as a building material, especially in walls, countertops, and floors (think of the Carrara tile) in kitchens and bathrooms.
In addition to its aesthetic value, Carrara marble is also very durable and resistant to wear and stains. It is a timeless material that fits well with various interior designs, from modern to classic.
Carrara Marble - The benefits at a glance
Would you like to use natural stone for your facade, floor, stairs, or countertop? The Italian Carrara marble is an excellent option. Carrara marble is also used in floor tiles, known for its advanced manufacturing processes and high-end finishing details. You benefit from many advantages: Carrara marble is also ideal for high-end projects.
Unique appearance with light gray veining
The appearance of Carrara marble is characterized by a beautiful white color and subtle light gray veining. The white marble is bright and radiates purity, while the gray veins provide a soft, elegant look. Vein color varies from light to dark gray and can sometimes even contain blue or yellow hues.
Depending on the finish, the appearance of Carrara marble can vary. A polished finish, for example, provides a shiny and reflective appearance, while a honed or brushed finish provides a more matte and natural appearance, contributing to a luxurious ambiance.
Durability
Carrara marble is a long-lasting material that is very durable and resistant to wear and scratches. This durability is due to the metamorphosis of limestone under heat and pressure, resulting in its crystalline structure. It can easily last for years without showing signs of wear.
Stain resistant
This type of marble is also resistant to stains. Carrara marble tiles have high water absorption rates, so applying a sealant is important for maintenance. It is easy to clean and maintain, making it a popular choice for bathrooms and kitchens due to its easy maintenance.
Suitable for various applications
Carrara marble is a versatile material available in many shapes and sizes, including the popular Carrara tile. The extraction process involves cutting marble blocks from the quarry, which has been a practice since ancient times. Carrara marble is also available in slabs, highlighting their uniqueness and value. It is extracted from quarries in the Carrara region. It can be used for floors, walls, countertops, and bathrooms, among other things.
Timeless
Italian Carrara marble has a timeless look that exudes classic elegance and never goes out of style. The Tuscany region, where Carrara is located, has been renowned for its high-quality marble since Roman times. It fits well with both modern and classic interior designs and can be easily combined with other materials.
Among the various types of Carrara marble, we supply the beautiful Marble Bianco Carrara CD, Marble Bianco Carrara Venato, and Bianco Carrara marble. This last Italian Carrara marble is known for its characteristic gray veins and is a popular material for various architectural and design applications, such as countertops, floors, and wall coverings.
Over the years, Bianco Carrara marble has been used in many famous buildings and monuments such as the Pantheon in Rome and Michelangelo’s David statue.
Bianco Carrara marble, usually called white marble, is the most well-known & used type of marble. White marble is known for its beautiful light transmission combined with the “solidity” of the material. This makes marble very popular as a building material, but also as a material for sculpture. Marble is derived from the Greek word “marmaros”, meaning “shining stone”.
Carrara marble is named after the place where it is quarried, namely Carrara in Italy. With its beautiful bright white base color with (dark) gray veins - which run across the surface - Bianco Carrara marble is a beautiful type of marble, widely applicable and timeless. Bianco Carrara marble is almost always a suitable enrichment. The special color tones and lively accents of Bianco Carrara (white) marble guarantee an elegant, stylish, and luxurious look.
Polished or honed marble?
Within the marble collection of MudoDecor.com, you have the choice of polished & honed white marble, both within our collection of window sills and custom-made tops. Carrara marble tiles are available in both polished and honed finishes, highlighting their reflective properties and versatility. But what exactly is the difference between both surface finish options? The difference between honed & polished Banco Carrara (white) marble lies in the size of the grain used in the last phase of the sanding process.
Bianco Carrara marble with a polished finish combines the beautiful white color - with gray drawings & veins - with a luxurious high-gloss surface finish (mirrored). For that special and ultimate luxury look of white marble. Honing provides a smooth & matte (satin-gloss) finish to the surface, making the marble look a bit more subtle & softer.
Real marble, or a marble look of composite?
In addition to “real” marble, a marble-look composite is also an option that is certainly worth considering. Marble is a relatively sensitive natural stone and also quite expensive, especially compared to marble composite.
For people who are completely crazy about the look of marble, but would like a cost-effective alternative (also of better quality), a marble look of marble composite is an ideal option. Are you looking for the look of marble, but scratch-resistant, moisture-resistant, maintenance-friendly, durable, and heat-resistant? Then a marble look of quartz composite is ideal. An additional advantage is that you also have the choice of multiple colors. Our collection of marble look window sills & marble look (work)tops are worth a look!
Maintenance & Cleaning Bianco Carrara Marble
- First of all, a “short & powerful” description of Bianco Carrara (white) marble - as a material type - in 1 sentence: Marble is easy to maintain and suitable for humid conditions (bathroom/toilet), but it is a relatively sensitive natural stone and sensitive to scratches, stains, acid, and (direct) heat. Below you will find several important tips regarding the maintenance & cleaning of marble.
- Make sure that liquids do not remain on the marble surface for too long, as they can “soak” into the marble.
- For periodic cleaning of Bianco Carrara marble, it is best to use lukewarm water with green soap, soda, or a neutral soap, especially for calcareous marble types, in combination with a soft cloth or sponge. Rinse it with water and then wipe it dry with a soft cloth or clean chamois. You can easily remove the most common stains with this.
- Never use abrasives, scouring pads, or steel wool on marble. This can cause dull spots and damage the surface.
- Use acid-free cleaners, such as HMK R155 basic cleaner - acid-free.
- Avoid ‘aggressive cleaning agents’, such as descaler and bleach (always acid-free).
- Use thinner or white spirits for grease and oil stains. Dab this agent on the stains and neutralize them with a special cleaner to prevent unpleasant odor formation.
- Remove acidic liquids (cola, wine, orange juice) from the marble surface as quickly as possible to prevent stains.
- For extra protection, you can impregnate the Bianco Carrara marble. This makes the marble water and dirt-repellent, water-resistant, and mildew-resistant (ideal in bathrooms and kitchens). Impregnated marble stays beautiful longer and is easy to clean. For this, we recommend the impregnating agent HMK S234 (without solvents).
- We do not recommend placing hot pans/pots and other equipment with high temperatures, such as a deep fryer, directly on the marble. This can cause permanent damage.
- Marble is not suitable for outdoor use, so only use it indoors. To maintain its beauty, consider applying a protective sealant.
