Fearful of marble, however love the look? In the present day we’re rounding up one of the best Carrara marble alternate options. If you happen to’re involved about the associated fee, staining, etching and upkeep of marble, we’ve obtained choice!
If you happen to’ve lengthy dreamed of including spectacular white Carrara marble counter tops in a kitchen renovation, cease what you’re doing and skim on!
Taking the leap with a kitchen transform is sophisticated, and also you solely get one probability 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-about, and a lot extra!
For almost two years earlier than our Cream Kitchen transform, I dwelled over kitchen counters. I had my coronary heart set on Carrara marble.
The value 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 ought to be extra sensible, so I began contemplating the alternate options.
Sadly, not solely are the Carrara marble alternate options typically dearer, however you by no means really see a worth per sq. foot to match costs.
So once more, I dwelled. I obtained 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 study one thing from our determination course of!
What’s Carrara Marble?
To start with, what is that this fabulous white Carrara marble that’s so coveted (and evidently, additionally loathed) on this 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 right now, and may be surprisingly cheap.
Carrara marble, like all marbles, is warmth resistant and glorious for baking. It’s been utilized in European kitchens and bakeries for hundreds of years, however not with no fair proportion of imperfections.
Marble tends to chip, present stains and etching, and wish extra frequent upkeep than different countertop choices available on the market. These are all issues to think about as you progress ahead along with your choices!
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 usually are not pure quartz, so preserve that in thoughts.
We went with Quartz counter tops for a marble different at our lake cottage. The floor is non-porous, so quartz is antimicrobial and may be cleaned simply. Nevertheless, 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 glorious 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 dearer and tough to put in, so preserve 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 recognition today, 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 available on the market. I really simply wished one thing pure!
So I saved looking, researching and eventually, I discovered Danby marble, from Vermont! It’s denser than most marbles, making it much less prone to stains. Whereas etching can nonetheless happen, there’s truly a remedy for it!
This feature is comparable in pricing to Carrara and cheaper than Calacatta marble, with a really related look, however typically in the identical vary as quartz. Nevertheless, 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 house in Kansas Metropolis, and Olympia Danby in our present house. 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 gave the impression 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.
Incessantly Requested Questions
Relying on the precise marble you’re hoping to imitate, a quartz countertop is a wonderful choice to think about. Many types and types of quartz counter tops are so good that it may be tough to differentiate between the 2 counter tops!
Granite is mostly inexpensive than marble, beginning as little as $50/sq. foot put in. Marble counter tops have a tendency to start out at round $100/sq. foot and may go effectively over $200.
Study all concerning the various kinds of Countertop Edges right here!