Marble Countertop Options

Marble is a great material for kitchen countertops. The features of natural marble can give many options on how marble countertops can be made. You can choose from the many designs, colors, surface textures, tile patterns, and edge details of marble countertops. Cheaper alternatives to marble countertops such as faux marble countertops are also available for the budget conscious.

Design and color

The distinct veins and swirls of a marble design is due to various mineral layers and grains from clay, sand, silt, chert, or iron oxides. Pure white marble is actually a metamorphism of pure limestone. The green color in green marble is caused by serpentine from the high magnesium limestone or dolostone content that contains silica impurities. These impurities are re-crystallized by intense heat and pressure from the metamorphism and this can affect the marble’s color and pattern outcome.

Marble countertops come in various colors. Fossiliferous marble can come in various shades of white, gray, pink, and maroon. No two natural marble tiles are exactly the same in color and this characteristic makes them beautiful and unique. The other marble colors are black, yellowish, bluish, and greenish, and they can go by many names depending on the manufacturer. You can choose a color that can complement your kitchen’s color scheme and reflect your personality. If you want a livelier kitchen with an Italian or Latin flair, go for marble countertops in brighter colors like greens, red, or yellow. If you want a more sophisticated and professional looking kitchen, go for a black marble countertop or the more conservative off-white or beige.

Surface texture

The surface texture of marble countertops can either be polished or honed. A polished texture can give a glossy finish that looks squeaky-clean. It can make your kitchen shine and make it look livelier. A honed surface has a smooth matte finish that can give your kitchen a rustic and homey feel.

Tile pattern

Marble countertops usually have a monopattern or one color all throughout the surface. Some marble tile patterns come in mosaic-like designs that make use of different colored marble tiles. This kind of marble countertop tile pattern can add flair and drama to a kitchen. Another tile pattern is the rosetta pattern which goes around in concentric circles. Antique tile patterns with borders that come in a different color from that of the inside, cracks, and matte finish are also available.

Edge details

You can choose from the many edge details for marble countertops depending on your preference and safety concerns. Some of the types of edge details are the standard eased edge, basic bevel, quarter round, back bevel, ogee edge, and bullnose edge. These edges differ in sharpness, roundness, angle, dimensions, and cuts.

Imitation marble

Imitation marble is a cheaper alternative to natural marble. Some of the imitation marble that are available in the market today are faux marbling (painting technique), scagliola (plasterwork), and cultured marble which is formed by mixing ground marble (powder) and resin.