The Century Magazine (1890), notes that, “Marble is as common in Rutland (Vermont) as bricks and cheaper stones are in other towns. There are great shining heaps of it about the quarries and mills, and there are roadways of it, and sidewalks flagged with broad squares of it ….”
Did you know that there are hundreds of granite colors and designs for use in counter and vanity tops? From light grays, to deep sunset oranges to turquoise greens, you can be sure to find a granite top to compliment your décor.
Marble is usually rated between 2 and 5 on the Mohs scale of hardness, making it a relatively soft stone. (Quartz, for example, is a 7.) This means it can get chipped or damaged, but a marble repair expert can fix any flaws easily.
The process of restoration can create a lot of dust, but you don’t have to worry about it getting all over your house. Most of the procedures involved in restoration and grinding are done with water to capture particles and prevent the creation of dust.
To allow for swarf clearance, grinding wheels are made with spaces or pores in between the abrasive and backing materials. A low number on the center label of the wheel indicates dense spacing, while a high number denotes open spacing.
Marble is a metamorphic rock that changes its properties over time; essentially, it ages, and as it does so, it changes composition. This is because the limestone and dolomite in marble are vulnerable to heat and pressure, which allows for crystallization and recrystallization.
All stone is porous, and even when sealed, if a spill or leak is in contact with the stone for a while, it will penetrate the sealant. For this reason, all spills should be wiped up immediately, and leaks should be fixed at once.
Limestone, dolomite, calcite and other sedimentary rocks undergo metamorphosis in the earth under heavy pressure and high temperatures to create marble. It is found all over the earth!
In the early 1800s, ten-year-old Isaac Markham discovered (or rediscovered) an ancient form of marble cutting. He built a gang of smooth-edged iron saws attached to a hand crank, then used a slow drip of water to wash sand into the cutline for a cleaner cut.
Marble is a very porous and relatively soft stone compared to other types of natural stone building materials, which means that it scratches, stains, and becomes damaged easily. The best way to make a dull marble countertop like new again is to have it professionally restored.
Marble is often associated with the ancient cultures of Rome and Greece, and with good reason. Both areas have many natural deposits for the stone, and they used it for sculptures and building material. The durability of the stone meant many of their works survived to this day.
Did you know that you should never use a vacuum cleaner on a marble floor? This goes for new vacuums as well as older ones. Older ones especially often have metal or plastic attachments that can scratch the marble, and even new ones can scratch the stone with their wheels.
Did you know that in most cases, chipped, cracked marble can be repaired to a like-new condition, where the original damage can’t be seen by the naked eye? This has important cost-saving benefits, as you can avoid a full-scale replacement.
While there are four steps involved in the marble floor restoration process—grinding, honing, polishing, and buffing or crystallization—not all are necessary in all cases. For example, in some cases honing is all that’s needed to get the stone looking like-new again.
Marble, unlike granite, is soluble when exposed to a variety of common acids, many of which can be found in the home or workplace. Baking soda and vinegar, for example, are two relatively mild compounds that should not be used on marble.
The word "marble" comes to us from the Greek word "marmaron," which roughly translates to "shining stone." That same gleaming quality has made marble a preferred building, sculpting and decorating material for centuries.
Marble will lose its luster and sheen over time, especially if it sees a lot of use and wear, such as when installed as flooring. However, it doesn’t take a lot to return the sheen. A marble restoration specialist will have several different techniques they can use on your marble.
If you have marble that has become stained for any reason, you are probably going to need some type of restoration services. How the stone is treated is going to depend primarily on what caused the staining and the severity of the issue.
Marble is available in a rainbow of colors from pink, red, grey, green, brown and even black. Veined, streaked and other colored marbles are created from mineral impurities present when marble is formed, including sand, silt, clay and iron oxide.
In addition to extreme durability, granite curbing also offers these benefits as well: increased night visibility due to light reflection characteristics, quick and affordable installation and superior appearance. And because granite lasts, it will save money with time.
Marble is an incredibly durable stone with great longevity, but it's not invincible. Even great sculptures have had problems, like the Venus de Milo, which was found without arms. But that's why marble repair is so important: It can keep your marble looking incredible.
