Carrara marble is a stunningly beautiful option for your countertops and many designers recommend it highly for all types of kitchen and bath styles. There is no question that the marble has stunning aesthetics and its origination in Carrara, Italy, also gives it an exotic connotation. However, the marble does have disadvantages. Because it is a nonfoliated metamorphic rock, it is prone to etching should acidic materials come in contact with the stone. It is also porous, making it prone to staining from substances like red wine and some spices. If you love the look of Carrara marble but are not pleased with some of its characteristics, you may find that these alternatives work much better.
Ariel by Silestone
The dominant color of Ariel, manufactured by Silestone, is off-white but the veining gives you the classic look of marble. Like all Silestone products, Ariel is 94 percent natural quartz so it is strong and durable. It is resistant to scratches and chips. Unlike Carrara marble, it resists staining from coffee, red wine, olive oil and other acidic materials. Ariel is available in jumbo formats and in polished finishes. It is also available as flooring.
Calacatta Nuvo by Caesarstone
Composed of 93 percent natural quartz, Calacatta Nuvo by Caesarstone is a very close match to natural Calacatta marble. It has wide, cascading gray veins on a white base. It makes a strong impression in any room, providing a rich, elegant look very similar to marble. Unlike marble, the stone is very durable, resistant to scratches and will not etch if acidic materials are spilled.
Frosty Carrina by Caesarstone
Another Caesarstone product that is a good substitute for Carrara marble is Frosty Carrina. The stone also contains 93 percent natural quartz, but has longer veining that gives more of an appearance of real marble. It provides a sense of depth and luxury to any room. It will be difficult to notice any difference between marble countertops and the Frosty Carrina engineered stone countertop.
Lagoon by Silestone
Lagoon brings a softer feel to your room than other types of countertops, including Carrara marble. It also gives your room more depth and is much more durable than marble. It resists scratching, chipping or cracking and requires very little maintenance. Unlike marble, it does not need sealing on a regular basis.
London Grey by Caeserstone
The white background with subtle black lines of London Grey gives your room a striking look that is so close to marble you may not be able to tell the difference. However, you will notice a difference in the durability as the engineered quartz countertop will not scratch or chip as easily as marble. Spills of coffee, tea or tomato sauces won’t stain and you will not need to perform the regular maintenance required for marble.
Lyra by Silestone
Many designers say that Lyra is the closest match possible to Carrara marble with its white base and gray veining. It is a stunning product that contains 94 percent quartz. Lemon juice, wine or makeup will not etch or stain the counter as it is non-porous. Because it is made of quartz, one of the hardest stones available, it also resists scratching, chipping or cracking.
If you are considering Carrera marble, contact us today by phone or by completing the simple form online to learn more about other options that may work better for your home or business. Our friendly customer service staff will guide you through the process and help you select the perfect natural stone for your countertop or flooring needs.
