Posted: 3/18/2016 7:32:37 AM EDT
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Does anyone in GD happen to have marble countertops or tile work in their home? I am finishing off the specs on a new home, and am considering Carrara Marble for the countertops/backsplash and possibly a shower stall in the master bathroom.
I have heard of all the staining issues, however it appears that much of the issues people have are related to the iron in Chinese marble oxidizing, and is not an issue with Italian marbles. Although etching is still a problem. I also have a sample of "Super White' Quartzite that looks very similar to marble (has more sparkle), but it appears to suffer from etching as well. So some combination of the 2 materials (Quartizte Counters, Carrara Backsplash, am I nuts for thinking about it for the bathroom? ALSO: I have looked at all the faux marble porcelins and quartz. They just don't cut it. THANKS! |
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Quoted:
Does anyone in GD happen to have marble countertops or tile work in their home? I am finishing off the specs on a new home, and am considering Carrara Marble for the countertops/backsplash and possibly a shower stall in the master bathroom. I have heard of all the staining issues, however it appears that much of the issues people have are related to the iron in Chinese marble oxidizing, and is not an issue with Italian marbles. Although etching is still a problem. I also have a sample of "Super White' Quartzite that looks very similar to marble (has more sparkle), but it appears to suffer from etching as well. So some combination of the 2 materials (Quartizte Counters, Carrara Backsplash, am I nuts for thinking about it for the bathroom? ALSO: I have looked at all the faux marble porcelins and quartz. They just don't cut it. THANKS! I would not use Carrara in a shower unless you want to be a slave to maintaining it. Carrara is beautiful but should be used in areas that aren't frequently used or you are able to wash it after every use, seal and polish it at least twice a year. Carrara is quite expensive also compared to stone of similar looks. |
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How is the water at your new home?
If it has high mineral count or other hard water factors, you could be spending big bucks to maintain your investment. There are some beautiful ceramic tiles out there that will cost you a fraction of marble and be easier (or at least less expensive) to maintain. |
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Aside from the maintenance issues, I would look to where the real value would be. Countertops and backsplash out of a premium material is overkill. Pick one and choose something more simple for the other. I wouldn't begrudge the marble in the shower.
The performance of marble may be better for a backsplash and a modern quartz solid for the countertops which perform much better than marble. |
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No mineral issues with the water as far as I am aware.
For what its worth the bathroom options I am considering are the 3X6 Subway tiles, and the 2inch hexagon pattern on the floors. I don't want to be a slave to maintenance on it (this house is a downsize from a much much larger home, Between work and maintaining the property I had zero free time), although still want nicer finishes. Paying a pro to come polish it every year isn't really an issue. Just wondering if anyone has had any experience with it. |
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Just to be clear, is this going to be just in your bathroom or also in your kitchen as well? Quoted: We've got marble for the center island in the kitchen, but never even considered it for the renovated bathroom---just stuck with tile in there. For the rest of the kitchen we used soapstone. I would avoid marble in the bath. Sorry, don't mean to threadjack, but I have a side question: How do you like the soapstone? It's at the top of our list right now for our eventual kitchen remodel. |
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The main aspect is the kitchen, however would like to incorporate some marble aspect into the bathroom.
A full shower stall looks beautiful but every contractor/tile guy has told me it would be a nightmare. I was thinking a honed finished hexagon pattern for the bathroom floor, or a vanity top to ceiling backsplash behind the mirror. |
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Quoted:
Just to be clear, is this going to be just in your bathroom or also in your kitchen as well? Sorry, don't mean to threadjack, but I have a side question: How do you like the soapstone? It's at the top of our list right now for our eventual kitchen remodel. Quoted:
Just to be clear, is this going to be just in your bathroom or also in your kitchen as well? Quoted:
We've got marble for the center island in the kitchen, but never even considered it for the renovated bathroom---just stuck with tile in there. For the rest of the kitchen we used soapstone. I would avoid marble in the bath. Sorry, don't mean to threadjack, but I have a side question: How do you like the soapstone? It's at the top of our list right now for our eventual kitchen remodel. We love it. The only issue we've had was a bag of satsumas that got forgotten for too long, and now there's a stain where they were, but it isn't even really that noticeable if you don't know what to look for. |
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I have Carrera marble in a downstairs half-bath. It will waterspot and stain, but it's not too bad. However, there is no shower or tub there.
You have the answer right now. Put the sample on your countertop and use it. Try a little vinegar and lemon juice. Put some grape juice on it, and let some spaghetti sauce stay on it overnight. When the SO wanted a new countertop, we tried that experiment with marble and granite. She chose granite. |