Fearful of marble, however love the look? In the present day we’re rounding up the very best Carrara marble alternate options. In case you’re involved about the price, staining, etching and upkeep of marble, we’ve acquired choice!
In case you’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 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 of, and a lot extra!
For practically two years earlier than our Cream Kitchen transform, 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 ought to 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 worth 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, irrespective of how stunning. So begins the journey in the direction of our Danby Marble counter tops – we’re sharing within the hope that others can be taught one thing from our choice 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 comfortable grey marble with comfortable veining hailing from Carrara, Italy. It is among the hottest pure countertop supplies out there in the present day, and could 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 out a fair proportion 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 contemplate as you progress ahead together with your selections!
Quartz that Appears to be like like Marble
Let’s begin with marble-look quartz as an alternative choice to 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 hold 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 could 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.
Take a look at 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 might resemble Carrara marble and others.
This pure quartzite materials is excavated into slabs after which sealed or coated in polyurethanes, wax, acrylic and so on for sturdiness and longevity.
One of many greatest variations between quartz and quartzite is that quartzite is costlier and tough to put in, so hold that in thoughts.
Look into White Fantasy quartzite and White Princess Quartzite as Carrara marble alternate options.
Granite that Appears to be like like Marble
Granite appears to be waning in reputation as of late, however there are nonetheless loads of stunning choices for alternate options to Carrara marble on this class.
It may be rather less costly, beginning at simply $50 a sq. foot.
Take a look at 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 glad with the quartz alternate options in the marketplace. I really simply wished one thing pure!
So I stored looking, researching and at last, 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 really a treatment for it!
This feature is comparable in pricing to Carrara and cheaper than Calacatta marble, with a really related look, however usually in the identical vary as quartz. Nevertheless, as a result of it’s each stunning and extra sturdy, it made it a win for us.
We used Mountain Danby marble in our earlier dwelling in Kansas Metropolis, and Olympia Danby in our present dwelling. The distinction between the 2 is just the place they’re taken from the earth. Whereas each are stunning, 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 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 superb choice to contemplate. 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 cheaper 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 might go effectively over $200.
Study all in regards to the several types of Countertop Edges right here!