Marble is one of the most favorable materials thanks to its many advantages, like its luxurious look, timeless beauty, adding value to your home, and much more.
Another great thing about marble is that it has many areas of use. Keep reading to learn the uses of marble.
What is Marble?
Mable is a type of rock that is created through a process called metamorphism, which involves undergoing immense pressure and high heat. It belongs to the family of metamorphic rocks and is primarily composed of calcite. However, marble can contain many other minerals, which gives it its signature veining.
As it is durable, heat resistant, and beautiful, marble is highly valued in many different areas, including but not limited to sculpture, architecture, construction, and interior design. Marble is versatile and used for many different purposes in many forms.
Properties of Marble
Marble has many properties that make it valuable and sought after. One of the most important ones is its durability. It is a long-lasting stone that is suitable for usage in various settings.
Furthermore, marble is a versatile material that can be found in different forms. It can be used as large slabs for flooring or countertops or finely crushed into a powder and used in paints, cosmetics, and other products.
The wide range of applications and forms in which marble can be utilized contribute to its widespread popularity in various industries.
Marble is highly heat resistant, making it an ideal material to use in areas exposed to high heat for prolonged amounts of time, such as kitchens and fireplaces.
Moreover, thanks to its exquisite beauty and unique colors and patterns, it adds a touch of subtle luxury and elegance to any space it is used in.
Every marble slab has unique colors, patterns, and veining. As marble is considered soft, it is much more workable than harder stones. It can sustain and exhibit intricate designs and customization.
Related Read: Granite vs Marble
Popular Uses of Marble
1. Kitchen and Bathroom Improvements
Marble is one of the most popular choices regarding kitchen countertops, backsplashes, and islands.
Furthermore, marble can be used as bathroom vanity tops, shower walls, and bathtubs and as flooring in all areas of the house. It adds an element of luxury and quiet sophistication to any space it is installed in. Marble slab applications are also popular due to other properties it possesses.
For example, marble is the number one choice in any French bakery as it always keeps a cool temperature, which makes working with butter much easier as it doesn’t melt. Moreover, marble accents and accessories can be incorporated into every interior design style to achieve a coherent and put-together look.
However, due to its porous nature, proper sealing and maintenance are necessary for its safety.
2. Sculptures and Decoration
Marble is a very often used material for interior design. As it is a soft stone, it is easier to shape into intricate designs than its counterparts, like quartz. Furthermore, it has a translucent quality making sculptures look more realistic than fully opaque stones. The natural variations in color and patterns add depth to the work and give it a unique character.
It can also be used for architectural decoration purposes. Details like columns and pediments usually are created with marble. Moreover, marble can make great objects like candle holders, vases, trays, and more. The smooth texture and luxurious appearance add elegance to every room.
3. Construction Aggregate
Crushed marble is often used in construction aggregate, which refers to using fine materials in large construction projects. One of the ways this happens is through road construction. It can be mixed with asphalt or concrete to create a durable material to create a stable surface.
This hard mixture is ideal for high-traffic and busy areas. Crushed marble mixed with concrete can also be used as filler material in larger structures like buildings and monuments.
4. Whiting
Certain types of marble have a white color. As it is bright white, this type of marble can be ground into a white powder known as whiting. This powder is used as a brightener, pigment, and filler. The most common usages for it are paper products, paint, and plastics. It improves the performance of paints, primers, and coatings.
Moreover, it increases the opacity of any item it is used in. If it is added to paper when it is in its pulp stage to add smoothness and brightness.
Furthermore, it enhances the printability of paper. Using it in plastics makes plastic products more durable and stable. Leftover pure white marble is used as a filler in many other industries, such as cosmetics and adhesive products.
5. Soil Treatment
Certain types of marble can be heated and form calcium oxide, also known as lime. This ingredient can be used as soil treatment in agriculture to reduce soil acidity.
This is especially useful when dealing with plants that prefer more alkaline growing conditions. If it is used alongside fertilizers, it can improve the soil to give a higher yield. Furthermore, marble chips or gravel is used as a protection on the soil to prevent erosion.
6. Neutralizing Acids
One of the main components of marble is calcium carbonate, which is highly alkaline. Therefore ground-up powder marble can be used in acid neutralization. This neutralization treatment can be done in many different substances, such as soil and water.
Furthermore, this process can remove impurities from the component to which the powder marble is applied.
7. Supplements
Marble is made up of calcite; in other words, it is rich in calcium. Consequently, powder marble is used to produce animal supplements. Its soft nature allows it to be easily soluble.
Conclusion
In conclusion, marble is a highly versatile material that can be used in many different industries and is available in many forms. It can be used as whole slabs, as marble shards, or it can be used after it is ground to powder.
With its durability, heat resistance, and versatility, marble has become highly esteemed and extensively utilized in various industries, including sculpture, architecture, construction, and interior design. This versatility is tightly linked to how it has been such an in-demand material for centuries.
As it has many different strengths, it has been a favorite among artists and architects for centuries. Today, marble continues to attract and enchant the masses with its beauty. Its ability to sustain its popularity for such a long time is a testament to marble’s timeless appeal.
FAQs
What are the uses of marble at home?
The most common use of marble at home is to use it as countertops, backsplashes, and islands. Moreover, it can be used for other decorative purposes, such as fireplace surrounds or smaller objects like candle holders and vases.
How is marble used in buildings?
Marble is commonly used in buildings in its powder form. It is mixed into concrete as a filler material that provides strength and stability. It can also be used for decorative purposes. For example, marble is often used for columns.
