Every building material has its pros and cons, as well as its trends. Marble, on the other hand, remains more stable than other materials with its hard and durable qualities. It can easily be said that marble is a timeless natural stone for your home décor.
Every piece of marble is unique, so you get a one-of-a-kind piece every time you purchase. So in a way, it’s like you are getting a unique piece of art from nature itself. Marble surfaces instantly make a statement, making your spaces look more luxurious and stylish.
While found in many parts of the world, Carrara and Calacatta marbles originate from Italy. These luxury materials are both highly used as building products in areas such as kitchens, bathrooms, and other areas of your home. Let’s take a deeper look into Carrara and Calacatta marbles to give you a better understanding.
Calacatta Marble vs. Carrara Marble – Main Differences
Carrara Marble
Carrara marble is the most common marble found in Italy. Carrara marble has a gray field with off-white or blue-gray veining. The essential quality of this stone is that the veins found in Carrara marble are subtle and not pronounced. This creates a beautiful surface that is soft, water, or feathery.
Carrara marble tends to be more linear than Calacatta. The veins of Carrara tend to be more straight and thin. This beautiful natural stone is quarried from the Apuan Alps in northwest Italy, near Carrara. Carrara marble can historically be seen in statues and large public and commercial buildings. Nowadays, Carrara marble is commonly used in residential homes.
The advantages of Carrara marble are many. Since marble is a strong and durable material made on Earth under extreme heat and pressure, it’s very strong and is also heat resistant.
Calacatta Marble
Calacatta marble is a type of Carrara marble quarried from the same overall region of Tuscany, Italy. Calacatta marble has a bright white field and a lot more variation in color than Carrara. Calacatta marble can easily be distinguished by its veining. The veins are thick, bold, and defined, ranging from dark gray and beige to darker browns and gold. Calacatta marble tends to have fewer but more defined veins.
Calacatta’s veins are larger and thicker when compared to Carrara’s. Many people feel that a whiter marble looks more luxurious, and they are not wholly wrong. If you are interested in a more classic-looking marble, then Calacatta is an excellent choice.
The advantages of Calacatta are almost the same of Carrara. Besides the looks, they have the same properties in terms of strength and durability. It is important to note that marble surfaces should be regularly sealed to remain beautiful and durable.
FAQ:
Is Calacatta Marble Harder Than Carrara?
There is no difference between these two stones other than their looks. Their hardness levels are the same so hardness should not be a deciding factor for you.
Which is More Expensive, Carrara or Calacatta Marble?
Out of these two, Carrara is the cheaper one. It’s all about supply and demand. Since Carrara is the most common marble in Italy, the supply is more than Calacatta. Calacatta marble is rarer and more coveted, costing more than Carrara marble.
The price of particular slabs can also vary depending on their thickness.
Is Carrara Marble Real Marble?
The answer is simple. Yes! Carrara marble is a natural stone that has been used for more than 2000 years since its extraction began in Italy. From Ancient Rome to the modern day, this elegant marble has been used in many areas. In addition to its beautiful looks, Carrara marble is surprisingly easy to maintain. As long as you keep it resealed, your surfaces will look just like the day you purchased them.
Is Calacatta Marble Worth It?
People like marble because of its natural beauty. Calacatta is a prime example when it comes to marble. People who want to show off this unique and gorgeous stone should definitely pick Calacatta marble. Since Calacatta marble is all about veins, it is a great statement piece.
Bookmatching is the act of pairing two marble slabs from the same cut so that the adjacent slabs mirror each other. Calacatta, with its beautiful veinings, is an excellent choice for book matching.
Does Carrara Marble Need to be Sealed?
Since Carrara Marble is a natural stone, it can react to acids, food, or drinks. So yes, like all marble types, Carrara must also be sealed. Once your marble surfaces are sealed, they will look just like day one and increase the value of any property used. The process of sealing also makes your surfaces easier to maintain. Since the tiny pores are filled with the sealing agent, they’ll be less likely to absorb liquids and have stain patches.
It is important to note that the sealing can be damaged by high heat. So, for example, putting a piping hot pan on your marble surfaces can damage the seal. This area will have discoloration, and since the seal is off, it will be vulnerable to further stains.
Where Can I Use Marble in My Home?
Marble is an excellent choice for almost any place in your home. With its properties like being dense, heavy, and permanent, you can use them virtually anywhere you like. Marble is probably most common as kitchen countertops or kitchen island counters.
Marble also works well as a backsplash in your kitchen. If you wish to amaze your guests, you can always use marble in your home’s foyers, lobbies, or other entry areas. When appropriately sealed, marble becomes waterproof.
You can easily use marble in bathroom areas as floor tiles or shower, and bathtub surrounds. If you have a fireplace in your home, using marble as a fireplace surround is also a great idea since marble can be wiped clean for later uses.
Conclusion
As you can see, it is easy to differentiate Carrara and Calacatta marble from each other. The first distinctive property is the background color. While Calacatta marble has a whiter background, Carrara tends to be more grayish. So, going for the whiter option is a great idea if you want to make a space look bigger.
The other important thing that separates Carrara and Calacatta is the veins. Calacatta has more defined veins. So with Carrara, you can have a softer look and feel. With Calacatta, you will get a more contrasting look making a bolder statement. Since Calacatta is rarer than Carrara, it is considered more luxurious, thus becoming expensive.
There is no correct answer in determining which one you want to purchase. It highly depends on your overall design and of course budget. Both of these marbles will give you an aesthetic and elegant look no matter which one you choose. Ultimately, it all boils down to the statement you wish to make.
If you want to make a bolder and more dramatic statement, then Calacatta is the best option. However, Carrara marble is for those who want to make a minimal and understated look. Whether you choose Carrara or Calacatta, they will be a great addition to your home and will increase your home’s value.
