As much as marble is beautiful and gives your home an elegant look, it’s not for everyone. If you are looking to install countertops and you don’t like marble countertops, there are plenty of other alternatives you can go with. These alternatives include:
Onyx
On a spiritual level, onyx gives off strong vibrations of energy, protection, and strength, which anyone would like to tap into every morning.
The most popular onyx is black, but this isn’t the only color it comes in—it also comes in a beautiful range of soft neutral, and brighter colors.
As much as onyx is a great marble alternative, you must ask whether it will last for a long time.
Well, like marble, it should not be installed in highly traffic areas as its porous and fragile. This calls for you to avoid installing shower walls or kitchen countertops, which will likely get stained easily.
If you have to install it in the bathroom, ensure that you do it in the master bathroom, where you will take good care of it. Even when installing it here, ensure that you simply install it as a decorative strip—don’t install it on the floor and shower walls.
Quartzite
You shouldn’t confuse quartzite with quartz as they aren’t similar.
Like marble, quartzite is highly versatile and can look like almost anything. Designers often use quartzite to get the dramatic look of marble.
The good thing is that since it is crystalline, its patterns are often softer and more ethereal than most marble types.
Quartzite is more durable than marble, and you can confidently use it as an alternative. The beauty of it is that it combines the beauty of marble with the functionality and durability of granite. Due to this, you can even install it in highly trafficked areas without worrying about it suffering from extensive wear and tear.
Since it’s made by volcanoes, it’s very strong, doesn’t get stained by citric acids, and can take a lot of heat. Although anyone can install it, it’s most recommended for people who cook a lot and love natural stone.
It comes in a huge range of colors and patterns, so you have plenty of options.
Soapstone
If you are looking to replace your black kitchen countertops with something other than marble, you might want to think about soapstone.
Soapstone is an excellent alternative because it can handle heat. It comes in different colors that range from dark green to charcoal to black, and its face has a lot of movement.
Since it’s non-porous, you don’t have to worry about it getting stained or damaged by water.
If you are thinking about installing soapstone countertops, there are some things you should know.
One of the things you should know is that soapstone gets a natural patina as you use it. To ensure that it wears out evenly, it’s recommended that you oil it regularly.
It’s also hard to find it in large slabs, so you need to work with your contractors and assemble smaller pieces to get the large countertops you are after.
Granite
Granite is not an unusual material to find in a kitchen. In fact, it has been one of the most popular natural stone countertop materials for a long time.
But this has both pros and cons. Since the 1970s, granite has been a popular choice for surfaces. As a result, many people have granite countertops Raleigh that are so old that they don’t look good in a modern kitchen.
Granite comes in many styles, some of which look like marble. It even comes in creative colors.
Granite is much stronger than marble and less likely to break or chip. It’s also much less likely to get stained.
Parting shot
These are some of the options you have when it comes to marble alternatives. When choosing the options, choose those that will give you the service you are after.
For example, if you are looking to install a countertop in a highly trafficked area, you should stay away from onyx or soapstone and instead go for granite or any other tougher material.