Everything You Need to Know About Calacatta Marble

Having difficulty planning your ideal kitchen? Don't worry, you're not alone. With all of the possibilities available on today's market, making these kind of large purchases may be a real pain - especially if you're not sure what you're getting.

Fortunately, we're here to help, namely by providing more information about one of our most popular tiles, Calacatta Marble.

What exactly is Calacatta Marble?

Calacatta comes from a Greek word that means "to dazzle, flash, and glitter" and has been used in luxury design projects for ages. Despite its roots in the quarries of the Apuan Mountains in Carrara, Italy, natural stone can today be found all over the world.

The original Calacatta marble has a delicate, off-white backdrop with striking grey veining throughout, creating that coveted look of luxury that has been used since Ancient Rome.

Although most people are familiar with the basic white and grey marble aesthetic, there are numerous additional Calacatta stone varieties available on the market today. Take, for example, the Calacatta Gold Quartz, which has a faint tinge of gold to provide a sense of elegance that we at Grosvenor Granite adore!

Carrera vs. Calacatta

"What exactly is the difference between the Calacatta and the Carrera stone?" we're frequently asked at Grosvenor Granite. This is because the differences may not be discernible to the untrained eye.

When they're side by side, however, they're lot easier to tell apart. Although the Carrara stone has a magnificent appearance, the white is slightly muddier and the veining is less prominent. Calacatta is the most respected of the two stones due to its cleaner white and bolder veining.

The most notable distinction between the marbles is their scarcity. Although both stones are widely available over the world, Calacatta is far more difficult to obtain, and it is this rarity and limited availability that makes Calacatta more valuable and sought after.

How to Maintain a Marble Countertop

A widespread myth regarding Calacatta Marble is that it is readily damaged and difficult to preserve; however, this is not the case. Whether your worktop is quartz or granite, some maintenance is required to keep the intended appearance. Take, for example, our Calacatta Venato Quartz, which is incredibly sumptuous, but has a crisp white background that you don't want damaged by a troublesome stain.

Because marble is a porous material, it is vulnerable to staining substances such as liquids and oils, which may be a concern for the messier cooks reading this. But don't be discouraged; with a few minor changes to some of your dirtier habits and some extra measures, you can keep the kitchen of your dreams sparkling clean.

Add a variety of kitchen cabinet handles and knobs from French Furniture Fitting to your cabinetry beneath your marble counters for a streamlined and unobtrusive finish.

Here are some dos and don'ts for caring for your Calacatta worktops.

Do: Make Use Of A Marble Sealer

One of the most efficient ways to keep your countertops in good condition is to apply a sealer to the worktop during installation to create a barrier between the marble and the acidic chemicals that will eventually make their way onto the worktop. Although this will not completely prevent stains, it will substantially lessen the harm they would cause.

Do: Make use of cutting boards and coasters.

This should go without saying for the majority of you, but just in case, we'll say it anyway. When preparing food, it is critical to use a cutting board to protect your worktop from stains and etching. The same is true for utilizing coasters with mugs, glasses, or cans - make sure to inform your guests!

Allow Spills To Sit On The Worktop

We're sorry to report that the days of allowing spills and stains to accumulate on your worktops must come to an end. Any stains that occur on the marble must be removed as soon as possible using hot water or a specially designed marble stain remover (as opposed to standard cleaning products that could do more harm than good).