Marble is one of the most sought after natural stones in the world. White marbles have stood the test of time, reaching the top of design trends for domestic and commercial applications alike for decades. Due to high demand and limited availability, some marbles such as the Italian Calacatta can also get very pricey.

It’s classic, sophisticated and definitive appearance and clean-cut aesthetic is always in hot-demand, you’d think it was unbeatable.  Unfortunately due to its properties, marble is not always the most suitable material for certain applications. Generally, marble is unsuitable in areas that have a high-usage, such as a kitchen benchtop.  All buyers of marble should be made aware of the following points

* Marble is considered a soft stone that can be easily scratched or damaged.
* Most marbles have high porosity and are susceptible to food and beverage stains.
* Direct contact with substances of high acidity such as lemon juice may cause a chemical reaction and etch the marble.
* Marble require maintenace and should be periodically sealed with water and oil repellants.

If you’re certain you won’t get a pinot noir stain on your prized benchtop – the risk may be worth it. For those of us who can’t be so sure, there are many stones available that mimic the look of popular marbles, but boast more practical and friendly properties that are accommodating to the daily thrills and spills of home life.

There’s something for everyone that’s after the beautiful look of white marble.

Quartzites

Quartzite is the hardest natural stone available for benchtops. It is etch proof, has low porosity, and therefore requires minimal maintenance.  The Calacatta and Calacatta Ouro quartzites have similar appearance to Carrara and Calacatta marble. Quartzites are generally at the more expensive end, so there is little savings in price here. If within your budget, these quartzites are highly recommended. It fills in all the qualities that marble lacks and is a really sensible, practical and beautiful choice. 

Trendstone Quartz. Carrara, Venatino, Gioia and Calacatta.

Trendstone Quartz is a man made stone and more affordable.  It has been engineered from quartz to be extremely resilient. The Trendstone Venatino and Gioia mimic the iconic carrara marble and are a fantastic choice.  Trendstone Calacatta Quartz mimics the very rare Calacatta and Statuario marbles. It’s veining is darker than carrara.

Super White Dolomite-Quartzite

Super White is a dolomite marble with high concentrations of quartzite that provide strength and durability,  Although not as durable as its granite or quartzite counterparts, it is certainly considered suitable for benchtops.  It is a popular and rare Brazilian stone that is sought after all over the world due to its carrara-like appearance, yet much more durable.  Dolomite does etch when in contact with acidic substances so this stone requires periodic sealing.

Porcelain

Recently introduced are Porcelain slabs that have the perfect look of the most beautiful marble at a much lower cost.  They are heat and stain resistant, and are perfect for kitchen applications. Porcelain slabs are thinner and lighter than natural stone, making it a perfect material for vertical applications such as splash backs or an island show back.  The only negative with Porcelain slabs is that they are difficult to work with to produce benchtops.  Only the most skilled and equipped stone fabricators are recommended for working with porcelain slabs.

To view these stones and more on our website click view range.