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Marble tabletop for your dining table - Things to keep in mind


A dining table sets the scene for a pleasant and memorable dining experience. A marble table top accentuates that experience. So, if you are revamping the dining space or buying a new table and your lifestyle allows it, then you should consider a marble top. You probably have a bunch of questions about using marble as a dining table top. In this article, we share some key points to keep in mind. The first thing is to understand the different types of marbles suitable for use as tabletops.

Types of marble for tabletops

Carrara A common marble often found in many houses is the Carrara marble tabletop. This beautiful white marble contains grey veining and is often confused with the Calacatta marble due to its common properties when it comes to colour and veining. The Carrara marble is the least expensive, making it affordable for homeowners who are on a slightly lower budget. 

Calacatta Another marble of Italian origin is the luxurious Calacatta marble. This marble is very expensive and sits well in a home with a similar feel. With dark veined patterns and a striking white colour, this marble can be seamlessly paired with varying colour combinations. Other variants of the Calacatta include the Calacatta Gold, Calacatta Borghini and the Calacatta Michaelangelo.

Calacatta marble

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Emperador The Emperador marble is a lavish brown-coloured stone that has a rather unique veining pattern. This marble comes in 2 shades; light brown and dark brown. It is resilient and has a glossy finish, making it a decorator’s favourite. Apart from the Emperador Dark and Emperador light, another brown and beige-coloured marble type includes the Spanish ‘Crema Marfil’ marble. 

Emperador marble

Photo by Camille Brodard on Unsplash

Levadia Originating from Greece, this bold and classy black marble has a grey-white veining pattern. Another popular black marble type includes the Spanish ‘Nero Marquina’ marble. 

Levadia

Photo by Scott Webb from Pexels

4 things to keep in mind while buying a marble tabletop

Marble top fo dining table

Photo by Max Vakhtbovych from Pexels

Now that we’ve covered the various kinds of marble for table tops, here are some points to keep in mind when buying a tabletop:

Soft edges As classy and elegant as marble is, it also runs the risk of chipping off quite easily. Thus, it is often recommended that while looking for a marble tabletop, buy one which has a rounded or curved edge. A marble tabletop without a softened edge can chip off quite easily.

Veining patterns Marble blocks can be cut in several ways to obtain unusual, and unique veining patterns, giving a completely distinct look to your tabletop. Thus, before settling on a particular marble tabletop, look into the different veining patterns that can be obtained from one slab of marble. 

High maintenance Investing in a marble tabletop comes with a high handling and maintenance cost. Ensure that any stains and spills are cleaned up right away. From a maintenance point of view, white marble tops are easier to handle. This is because acid etching due to accidental spills from substances such as acids, ammonia and alcohol, which often leaves a white mark, gets lost in the natural colour of the marble and is not noticeable to the naked eye. 

Marble finishes Another important aspect that must be taken into consideration is the finish for the marble top. There are matt and glossy options for finishes. If your dining table is prone to experience accidental alcohol stains and spills, a matte finish would much easily disguise the etching than a tabletop with a polished finish. 

Maintenance of your marble tabletop

 Picture this: You’ve just spent months debating and discussing which marble table top would fit right into your dining table, and finally you’ve settled on a beautiful slab guaranteed to lend a subtle elegance to your home. You have it installed and have invited a couple of friends over for dinner and drinks, but amidst the socializing, one of your friends drops her drink right onto the brand new marble top, leaving a repulsive and unappealing acid-etch mark. What do you do then? Don’t worry we’ve got you. 

Maintenance of a marble tabletop is not easy and is inevitably going to require a lot of care, attention and regular cleaning. Here are 3 tips to maintain your marble table top:

Sealant

One of the most important things to keep in mind when it comes to marble maintenance is that your table is sealed beforehand. Sealing a marble tabletop is critical to ensure that your slab is protected against staining substances.  Invest in a good sealant as re-sealing your marble tabletop would become necessary after every 6 months or when you start noticing the water stains build up on your exquisite slab. 

Stains

The porosity of marble makes it vulnerable to oil stains, organic stains, and even water stains, to name a few. Acid spills such as lemon juice, wine and orange juice can leave an ugly etch on your once beautiful marble. However, if this unfortunate incident happens to you, all is not lost!

Applying an acetone and baking soda paste on an oil stain for 24 hours can help remove the stain quickly. A bleach-soaked paper towel can eliminate an organic stain after 24 hours of placing it on the stain. Lastly, a marble polishing powder is helpful in removing those unwanted acid etches. 

Frequent cleaning

Applying a sealant does not mean that you can get away with not cleaning your marble dining table. It is actually quite the opposite! Like any other marble furniture, marble dining tables must be cleaned religiously to ensure that they remain flawless and clean. Cleaning a marble tabletop as part of a routine activity does not require much effort and time. Simply use warm soapy water and a sponge to wipe down the surface. Beware of acidic substances (such as vinegar or lemon juice) if you end up using cleaners to keep your table clean.