Burlington Homeowners Choose Marble
If you ask a designer to name the one material that’s guaranteed to add elegance and value to a home, be ready to hear the answer, “marble.” Marble countertops, floors, and other accents give any home a luxurious, natural grace. More and more Burlington homeowners are discovering the beauty and durability of this natural stone – and you can, too! Visit one of Ontario’s better stone companies to find out more about this timeless material that can transform your living space.
What Is Marble?
Marble has been used since ancient times for building and decoration. The ancient Egyptians and Mesopotamians prized it for its beauty and strength. Ancient Greeks used marble to create some of the most beautiful works of art and architecture in the history of the world, including the famous Parthenon, the jewel of Athens. Islamic architecture often incorporated mosaics of marble, glass, and stone. The floor of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, the walls of the French Palace of Versailles, the nave of Salisbury Cathedral in England…all of these are testimony to the beauty, universal appeal, and durability of marble.
Marble is a metamorphic stone that’s created when limestone is subjected to tremendous pressure for a long time. It’s composed of re-crystallized minerals, mainly calcite and dolomite. Marble is found in many countries, including Canada. Marble from Newfoundland, known as Sop’s Arm marble, is very colourful and is estimated to be 400 million years old. Marble from Madoc, Ontario has deep veins and a “striped” look. Italy produces some of the best-known and most beautiful marble, such as pure white Carrara marble, stunning green Verde marbles, or the Brecchia marbles, with their “broken” look. Other countries that produce extraordinary marble include India, Spain, and the United States. Some countries export one or two special varieties, such as Ireland’s buttery Connemara marble.
Marble is quarried in large blocks, which are then shipped to a processing plant. At the plant, the blocks are sliced into slabs. These thin slabs are suitable for countertops or larger elements. Smaller pieces of marble are cut into standard tile sizes, which include 12” x 12”, 6” x 6”, and 4” x 4”.
Choosing Marble
Visit the showroom of one Ontario’s better stone suppliers before you decide where to use marble accents in your home. Be sure to find a family company that’s been in business for several years, rather than a hardware chain or other big box store. Some smaller companies even import their own marble, so employees have a great deal of information at their fingertips about various types of stone. You may find marble that would be perfect for your kitchen countertops, bathroom countertops, floor tiles, or shower. Explore the hundreds of colours that are available to you — you may be surprised by the extensive palette you will have to choose from. Various finishes may be applied to the marble, including polished, matte, and tumbled.
This elegant, natural stone adds value to your home, and beauty to your life. Learn more about marble today!