Throughout history, marble has been a desired luxury good. It has been prized for its beauty and resilience across many cultures. Marble is known for its aesthetic beauty and reputation for being costly. The presence of marble instantly elevates the elegance of any space it is used. This natural stone is quarried globally and has a crystalline structure with natural veins.
Marble is formed under extreme heat, and pressure is applied to the rock. The character-defining lines and swirls appear due to mineral impurities such as clay or silt. Marble’s quality, colors, and patterns vary by a huge margin according to where it was quarried.
There are various types of marble having different levels of quality and pricing. In this article, we are going to explain why marble is so expensive.
What Affects the Marble Price?
- Availability: The scarcity of the stone changes the price. The rarer the slab, the higher the price. The higher quality marbles with fewer veins and grains; or particular colored ones tend to be more expensive. Generally speaking, White Marble with calcites is often more costly than dolomite marble, which is colored and has mineral impurities. White marble quarries are limited, so the price of white marble is pricier than common marble types.
- Impurities: Impurities such as fissures, cracks, or pits lower the price of the slab. You wouldn’t want any of these in your marble slab for a seamless and elegant look.
- Lifestyle Trends: People want to stay up-to-date with lifestyle trends. As with all things, marble price gets affected by this. Depending on the trends, grey or black marble prices may rise while other colors’ prices go down.
- Application: Marble can be used anywhere and everywhere. The versatility of this natural stone can be used as flooring, cladding, vanity tops, or countertops. Each different application has different prices. For example, using marble as flooring would require more area than countertops or backsplashes.
- Edging and Finishing: The specialty edge profiles and finishes increase the price of the marble slab since they require a lot more time to be crafted and applied.
- Surface Finish: Like all other natural stones, marble requires sealing after installation. Otherwise, the porous nature of the stone makes it prone to stains and discolorations. This sealant is vital in keeping your marble surfaces like on day one. It is essential to get your marble surfaces resealed when needed.
- The Thickness of the Slab: As the name suggests, the thickness of the slab influences the cost of marble. Different applications require the marble to be in various thicknesses. So it’s easy to say that the thicker the slab, the bolder the statement, hence the higher cost.
How to Lower the Cost?
Besides its beautiful and elegant looks, marble is definitely an investment that raises the value of your property. Wherever it is used, the beautiful look of marble will stay as long as its appropriately maintained. There are various ways to keep costs down when it comes to marble.
- Being flexible and picking a darker tone can lower the prices a lot. The natural shades and patterns of marble can be a great addition to your décor.
- Selecting pieces from leftover jobs for smaller applications are often cheaper. If you are not going for a huge project, this option can save you a lot of money.
- Prefabricated marble vanities and countertops are cheaper. If the measurements fit, it’s a great idea to use them to make savings.
- Slabs with minor imperfections tend to be cheaper. With careful planning, these imperfections can be fantastic additions to your design.
- Most importantly, working with professionals during the whole process is essential. From purchasing to installation, each step should be made with capable professionals. A bad installation can cost you more than you can imagine.
Which is the More Expensive Natural Stone, Granite or Marble?
When it comes to natural stones, granite, and marble are popular. When you are remodeling your kitchen or bathroom, choosing natural rocks is always a great idea, but the cost differences may be confusing and will play a role in your decision-making.
Since both stones have variations, the prices are subject to change. Generally speaking, granite tends to be slightly cheaper. However, the stones’ properties will affect the individual price.
One of the essential benefits of marble is that it gives off a more high-end look. On the other hand, granite is much more friendly to heavy use. So it is vital to make a decision; which comes first for you, the looks or the strength? Picking suitable material is extremely important, especially in the kitchen.
Whether you choose a granite or an expensive Italian marble, it’s always important that it fits into your design choices.
Conclusion
Purchasing marble for various surfaces is always a great addition to your home but the process may be overwhelming.
Various types of marble can add different feelings to your home décor, so making an informed decision is vital. We strongly advise you to get professional help during the whole process. The price of marble may look expensive, but your investment in your home is permanent.
