Afraid of marble, however love the look? As we speak we’re rounding up one of the best Carrara marble alternate options. For those who’re involved about the fee, staining, etching and upkeep of marble, we’ve acquired possibility!
For those who’ve lengthy dreamed of including spectacular white Carrara marble counter tops in a kitchen renovation, cease what you’re doing and browse on!
Taking the leap with a kitchen rework is difficult, and also you solely get one likelihood to get it proper. Study how we selected our Danby marble and our quartz that appears like marble, all of the alternate options we thought of, and a lot extra!
For almost two years earlier than our Cream Kitchen rework, I dwelled over kitchen counters. I had my coronary heart set on Carrara marble.
The worth is correct, I’ve lengthy been in love with them, and but everybody I knew continued to steer me away. I lastly determined that I must be extra sensible, so I began contemplating the alternate options.
Sadly, not solely are the Carrara marble alternate options usually costlier, however you by no means really see a value per sq. foot to match costs.
So once more, I dwelled. I acquired quotes, after which much more quotes. I checked out product and simply wasn’t overjoyed with any of them, regardless of how lovely. So begins the journey in direction of our Danby Marble counter tops – we’re sharing within the hope that others can be taught one thing from our determination course of!
What’s Carrara Marble?
To begin with, what is that this fabulous white Carrara marble that’s so coveted (and evidently, additionally loathed) on the planet of kitchen design?
Carrara is a gentle grey marble with gentle veining hailing from Carrara, Italy. It is without doubt one of the hottest pure countertop supplies out there at the moment, and might be surprisingly cheap.
Carrara marble, like all marbles, is warmth resistant and wonderful for baking. It’s been utilized in European kitchens and bakeries for hundreds of years, however not with no justifiable share of imperfections.
Marble tends to chip, present stains and etching, and wish extra frequent upkeep than different countertop choices in the marketplace. These are all issues to think about as you progress ahead along with your selections!
Quartz that Seems like Marble
Let’s begin with marble-look quartz as a substitute for Carrara marble. It’s engineered with quartz (pure) and resin. This makes it extremely sturdy, however may give a fabricated look as a result of it’s not a pure materials. Quartz counter tops aren’t pure quartz, so maintain that in thoughts.
We went with Quartz counter tops for a marble various at our lake cottage. The floor is non-porous, so quartz is antimicrobial and might be cleaned simply. Nonetheless, it’s not warmth resistant, so watch out.
The price of each quartz and quartzite (mentioned subsequent) can vary between $80 and $200+ per sq. foot of fabric, not together with set up.
Try Ceasarstone’s Calcatta Nuvo, Pental Quartz, or Lyra by Silestone for wonderful quartz alternate options to Carrara marble. Our counter tops, pictured right here, are Calacatta Arno.
Quartzite
Another choice? Quartzite, which is a pure rock that’s shiny and may resemble Carrara marble and others.
This pure quartzite materials is excavated into slabs after which sealed or coated in polyurethanes, wax, acrylic and so forth for sturdiness and longevity.
One of many greatest variations between quartz and quartzite is that quartzite is costlier and troublesome to put in, so maintain that in thoughts.
Look into White Fantasy quartzite and White Princess Quartzite as Carrara marble alternate options.
Granite that Seems like Marble
Granite appears to be waning in reputation lately, however there are nonetheless loads of lovely choices for alternate options to Carrara marble on this class.
It may be rather less costly, beginning at simply $50 a sq. foot.
Try Casa Blanca granite, Glacier White granite, and Bianco Romano granite for choices to match to white Carrara marble.
Throughout our St. Louis renovation, I used to be not happy with the quartz alternate options in the marketplace. I actually simply needed one thing pure!
So I saved looking out, researching and eventually, I discovered Danby marble, from Vermont! It’s denser than most marbles, making it much less vulnerable to stains. Whereas etching can nonetheless happen, there’s truly a remedy for it!
This selection is analogous in pricing to Carrara and cheaper than Calacatta marble, with a really related look, however usually in the identical vary as quartz. Nonetheless, as a result of it’s each lovely and extra sturdy, it made it a win for us.
We used Mountain Danby marble in our earlier residence in Kansas Metropolis, and Olympia Danby in our present residence. The distinction between the 2 is just the place they’re taken from the earth. Whereas each are lovely, Olympia has much less veining which appeared to be a greater match for our present kitchen.
Win? I feel so. It has heavier gray veining, however I’m thrilled with the end result subsequent to our Cream Kitchen Cupboards.
Regularly Requested Questions
Relying on the precise marble you’re hoping to imitate, a quartz countertop is a superb possibility to think about. Many types and types of quartz counter tops are so good that it may be troublesome to differentiate between the 2 counter tops!
Granite is usually inexpensive than marble, beginning as little as $50/sq. foot put in. Marble counter tops have a tendency to begin at round $100/sq. foot and may go nicely over $200.
Be taught all in regards to the various kinds of Countertop Edges right here!
