top of page
marble 3.jpeg

Marble

Adding marble to an interior space can create a luxurious and elegant feel, while also being a durable stone material. Ranging in colors from reddish yellows, to blue-greys, and even green, marble is versatile in its appearance, which can make it useful for countertops, flooring, and wall details. 

marble 1.jpeg

01: Marble  Countertops

Characteristics & Sourcing

  • derived from limestone, some minerals within the stone can determine what color the marble is

  • Highly polished to show the deep colors, but is susceptible to scratches and wear

  • Large amounts are found in the U.S., particularly Georgia and Colorado

  • Once extracted from quarries, it is transported to be cut

marble 6.jpeg

02: Marble as on walls 

Production & Maintenance

  • Once out of the quarry, and transported,  it is put through steps to be cut to certain dimensions. Water is used to keep the stone cool and the dust down during the cutting process. 

  • As a metamorphic rock, it is compromised from both igneous and sedimentary rocks which have gone through high amounts of pressure. 

  • To maintain marble, it's not recommended to use abrasive cleaners, but to use a damp cloth and a neutral PH cleaner. On countertops, use coasters and on floors use rugs to avoid staining as much as possible. 

marble 5.jpeg

03: Marble Sink 

Environmental Impact

  • In general, stone has a relatively low environmental impact based on its low maintenance and long lasting durability. 

  • Stone's longevity helps with being able to repair and replace stone if needed. 

  • Through the quarrying process, there can be a lot of waste produced, but can sometimes be repurposed. 

  • When it comes to shipping marble, it can be expensive and cause pollution from the fuel heavy shipping process.

  • As for indoor air quality, marble itself doesn't emit any VOCs, it's sealer that is used can emit VOCs.

04: Marble Tile Flooring

Application

A popular application for marble is flooring, which there are some things to consider when choosing it: 

  • There are many different colors to choose from, it doesn't always have to have a shiny finish, it can be on the more expensive side with material and labor costs, and finally needs to be maintained properly to avoid intense wear and tear

​

ASTM Standards: 

  • F1694 - 21 Standard Guide for Composing Walkway Surface Investigation, Evaluation, and Incident Report Forms for Slips, Stumbles, Trips, and Falls

  • D2203 - 01 (2018) Standard Test Method for Staining from Sealants

​

Natural Stone Institute

  • Serves as a source for safety and technical standards and information regarding the use of natural stones

marble 4.jpeg
marble 2.jpeg

05: Marble on walls

Resources

Images:​

​

Information:

​

Page by Rachael Neitzel

bottom of page