Decorative Marble
Nolan O'Connor
| 25-09-2023
· Lifestyle Team
Marble, a type of rock formed from metamorphic or sedimentary processes, falls into the category of medium-hard stones.
Its primary mineral components include calcite, serpentine, and dolomite, while calcium carbonate dominates its chemical composition, accounting for over 5%.
The crystalline particles of marble merge into a solid structure, granting it high compressive strength and a compact texture. However, it isn't particularly hard compared to granite, which makes it easy to carve and polish.
While pure marble is typically white, it is less commonly found in this form.
Ordinary marble often contains various impurities like graphite, iron oxide, silica, mica, and serpentine, giving it a mosaic of colors, including red, green, yellow, black, brown, and more. These unique color patterns make marble an excellent choice for decorative purposes.
The distinctive features of marble include its dense texture, high compressive strength, low water absorption rate, and relatively soft consistency. It belongs to the category of moderately hard alkaline stones.
Natural marble is also easily workable, possesses excellent polishing properties, and is often transformed into polished slabs. It boasts a rich color spectrum, fine texture, and remarkable decorative qualities.
The price of marble varies significantly, depending on usage and selection factors.
Moreover, granite and marble, even if they share the same color, can differ in price due to variations in color, texture, and overall quality.
Marble is not suitable for outdoor decoration due to its reaction with sulfur dioxide in the air. This chemical reaction transforms calcium carbonate in the marble into gypsum, which is water-soluble. Consequently, the marble's surface loses its shine, becoming rough and porous and diminishing its decorative appeal.
Natural marble decorative panels are produced from leftover natural marble through factory processing. The surface undergoes multiple grinding and polishing stages to achieve a dense yet not overly hard texture.
This makes it easy to process, carve, and polish, although it may not possess the same strength as granite. Therefore, it should be carefully considered for installations in high-wear and high-impact areas.
Marble's polished and refined appearance, combined with its natural smooth texture, makes it highly decorative. It also has low water absorption, and excellent durability, with a lifespan of 40 to 100 years.
It finds widespread use in shopping malls, hotels, lobbies, clubs, exhibition halls, airports, and even residential spaces, where it adorns walls, countertops, window sills, floors, stair treads, balustrades, and more.
Additionally, marble is a common choice for furniture countertops and various indoor and outdoor furnishings.