Marble: what it is, benefits, and types of applications

Marble is one of the most valued natural stones in architecture and interior design. Its origin, variety of types, and wide applicability make it a sought-after material for sophisticated and durable projects. But, after all, what is marble? What are its benefits and disadvantages? How to use it efficiently in construction and decoration? In this guide from CASACOR, we explore everything you need to know about this noble stone.

Grande Hall - Henrique Steyer. Projeto da CASACOR Rio Grande do Sul 2017.

CASACOR Rio Grande do Sul 2017. Grande Hall - Henrique Steyer. Marble, bronze, and gilded brass. The finishes leave no doubt as to the classic style, updated with the futuristic geometrism of the reception desks in diamond polish. The herringbone pattern, commonly used in wooden floors, gets a version in white quartzite with a matte finish. In the background, the armchair designed by the architect received antique French fabrics. (Divulgação/CASACOR)

What is marble?

Marble is a metamorphic rock originated from limestone, subjected to high temperatures and pressure over millions of years. This geological process recrystallizes the minerals in the stone, giving it a unique texture and vein patterns that make each piece exclusive. Its main composition is calcium carbonate, but it may contain impurities like iron oxides, mica, and graphite, resulting in a wide range of colors and shades.

How did marble originate?

O Partenon, icônico templo grego em Atenas, construído em mármore pentélico, simboliza a grandiosidade da arquitetura clássica. (Nick115/Pixabay/Divulgação)

Marble has been used since antiquity by civilizations such as the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans. Great architectural works and sculptures were carved from marble, like the Parthenon in Greece and Michelangelo's David. Its durability and timeless aesthetics have made it one of the most coveted materials to this day.

Types of marble

1. Carrara; 2. (Divulgação/CASACOR)

There are several types of marble, each with specific characteristics that influence its aesthetics and application. Some of the best-known include:

Carrara Marble: Originating from Italy, it has a white or grayish hue with subtle veins. It is widely used in countertops and sculptures.
Calacatta Marble: Also Italian, it is rarer and features more striking and dramatic veins.
Travertine Marble: With a porous appearance and beige tone, it's commonly used in floors and coverings.
Brown Emperor Marble: Features a brown background with golden veins, ideal for sophisticated projects.
Nero Marquina Marble: Of Spanish origin, it has a black tone with white veins, providing elegance and modernity.

Advantages

leo shehtman light shadow casacor sp sao paulo 2022 black white marble sofa

Léo Shehtman - Luz e Sombra. Projeto da CASACOR São Paulo 2022. Léo Shehtman - Luz e Sombra. Há 34 anos participando de CASACOR, Léo Shehtman assina um espaço de 80 m², que tira partido do jogo de luz e sombra na arquitetura. "Esse recurso realça ainda mais a beleza natural dos materiais que escolhi e traz leveza aos itens mais claros e escuros", explica. Como destaque do projeto, o arquiteto cita o mármore panda, que exibe veios naturais bastante aparentes e compõe a decoração pautada em preto e branco. "Os mármores são verdadeiras obras de arte da natureza", conclui. (Denilson Machado/CASACOR)

Natural stones, especially marble, offer several advantages when used in architectural and design projects. Their beauty and sophistication add elegance to any project. Furthermore, there is a wide variety of colors and patterns, allowing options for all decoration styles.

The durability of the material is a great attraction, as, when well cared for, it can last for centuries without losing its characteristics. Another positive point is its heat resistance, making it ideal for areas like fireplaces and kitchen countertops. Additionally, projects with marble tend to be more valued, increasing the property's worth.

Points of attention

[caption id="attachment_132518" align="alignnone" width="1561"] Relato Arquitetos Suíte Mozzafiato CASACOR Brasília 2022 quarto cama pedra

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Despite its numerous qualities, marble also has some disadvantages. Its porosity can cause it to absorb liquids and stain easily, requiring waterproofing. It is also sensitive to acids, such as vinegar and lemon, which can corrode it.

Another factor to consider is the need for constant maintenance to preserve its appearance. Lastly, the high cost can be a barrier for some projects, as marble tends to be more expensive compared to other materials.

Applications of marble in decoration

Countertops

Mariana Romano, Roberta Assy e Júlia Perfeito - Loja de Aromas. Mariana Romano em parceria com as arquitetas Júlia Perfeito e Roberta Assy, do AP Studio, apresentam a Loja de Aromas nomeada "Saudade tem cheiro de gente!". O espaço é clean e sofisticado e com poucos elementos, dentre eles a poltrona Daybed Dunas, do designer Esteban Fidelis, e a luminária Mingança, do estúdio Orth. As cores neutras e sóbrias das paredes trazem profundidade e contraste ao projeto e destacam a pedra do centro, de mármore bege bahia bruto. Com isso, o ambiente se torna um espaço minimalista e sofisticado, que carrega nas paredes, teto e piso o aconchego e bem-estar. (Edgard Cesar/CASACOR)

Marble is one of the most requested materials for kitchen and bathroom countertops due to its sophisticated aesthetics. It provides an elegant and refined look, in addition to offering heat resistance. However, since it is a porous stone, it is necessary to carry out periodic waterproofing to avoid stains caused by liquids and chemical products.

Wall coverings

Jewelry signed by Patrícia Martinez highlights the Brazilian flora. In the photo, a room with a marble wall, table, and showcases.

Joalheria assinada por Patrícia Martinez enaltece a flora brasileira. Na foto, sala com parede de mármore, mesa e vitrines. (Fran Parente/CASACOR)

Wall coverings in marble create a luxurious and modern visual effect. They are widely used in living rooms, bathrooms, and even in entry halls, providing sophistication and grandeur to projects. Furthermore, the variety of colors and patterns allows for the creation of exclusive compositions.

Stairs and floors

[caption id="attachment_76149" align="alignnone" width="4864"] Living Principal - Carolina Rivero, Chinga Foianini, Liliana Rivero. Projeto da CASACOR Bolívia 2019.

Living Principal - Carolina Rivero, Chinga Foianini, Liliana Rivero. Projeto da CASACOR Bolívia 2019.

[/caption> Marble conveys grandeur and refinement when applied to stairs and floors. Spacious projects gain a classic and timeless touch with this material, which can be polished for an intense shine or treated for a more matte and natural finish. For floors in outdoor areas, it is advisable to choose non-slip finishes to prevent accidents, along with special treatments for moisture resistance and natural wear.

Fireplaces and panels

casa arquitetura casacor larissa loh sala living madeira decoração mármore lareira

Project by Larissa Lóh. (Eduardo Macarios/CASACOR)

The heat resistance makes marble ideal for fireplace coverings and decorative panels. It not only adds charm and elegance to the space but also helps dissipate heat better, making the project more cozy and refined.

Decorative pieces

[caption id="attachment_167766" align="alignnone" width="1610"] Doriselma Mariotto - Legado Vivente. Projeto da CASACOR Goiás 2024.

[/caption> Marble is also widely used in decorative pieces, such as lamps, vases, and coffee tables. Its versatility allows for the creation of elements that stand out in the project, bringing a touch of sophistication and exclusivity.

Statues and columns

[caption id="attachment_5506" align="alignnone" width="6144"] Lounge Via - Denise Zuba e Juliana Zuba. Projeto da CASACOR Brasília 2015.

[/caption> The use of marble in sculptures and columns maintains the classical tradition of monumental architecture. Since antiquity, this stone has been used to create artworks and structural elements that add value and grandeur to architectural projects.

Trends

Backlit marble

[caption id="attachment_42987" align="alignnone" width="1258"] Functional Lavabos - Elaine Gurevich and Evandro Cruz. Project from CASACOR Balneário Camboriú 2017.

Functional Lavabos - Elaine Gurevich and Evandro Cruz. Project from CASACOR Balneário Camboriú 2017.

[/caption> One of the big current trends is the use of backlit marble. With the application of LED lighting behind translucent slabs, a sophisticated and modern effect is created, ideal for decorative panels and countertops.

Marble in large formats

[caption id="attachment_146326" align="alignnone" width="6700"] Suite Arquitetos - Casa Kraftizen Cosentino. Projeto da CASACOR São Paulo 2023. Na foto, sala com lareira, sofá curvo e tapete.

Suite Arquitetos - Casa Kraftizen Cosentino. Projeto da CASACOR São Paulo 2023. Na foto, sala com lareira, sofá curvo e tapete.

[/caption> The use of large format marble pieces has gained prominence in contemporary architecture. This style allows for the creation of more minimalist projects, with fewer seams and a continuous and powerful look, also taking into account the fact that the whole piece in the market is more valued.

Combination with metals

[caption id="attachment_168581" align="alignnone" width="1249"] Gustavo Scaramella - Hall do Apartamento. Projeto da CASACOR São Paulo 2024.

[/caption> The combination of marble with metals, such as gold, copper, and matte black, has been a strong trend in interiors. This contrast between the natural stone and metals brings a sophisticated and modern air to projects.

Care and maintenance of marble

To maintain the beauty of marble, some care is essential:

Clean with a damp cloth and neutral detergent.
Avoid using abrasive or acidic products.
Apply waterproofing to reduce liquid absorption.
Do periodic polishing to maintain the original shine.

-- CASACOR Publisher is an exclusive content creator agent developed by the CASACOR Technology team based on the knowledge base of casacor.com.br. This text was edited by Yeska Coelho.