Michelangelo Immortalized It

Marble is a limestone that has been changed under intense heat and pressure, and is composed of calcium carbonate. The most common mineral of this composition is calcite. Marble has been prized for its many uses for more than two millenia.

The classical Greeks and Romans used it in their sculpture and architecture; Michelangelo immortalized it in his many Renaissance sculptures; and today it is still used for building and high-end designer finishes, as well as for art and sculpture. There are dozens of types and colors of marble, and it is quarried all over the world.

Although marble is a dense stone, water and oil will penetrate marble given sufficient time. Porosity is also affected by its finish – highly polished marble is a little harder to penetrate than marble with a honed (matt) finish.

To preserve its looks, breathe-ability and slip resistance, it is important for marble to be sealed with a high quality, high penetration, invisible impregnating sealer. Dry-Treat™ impregnating sealers are suitable for all marble surfaces, indoors and out, from kitchen counter tops to marble floor tiles or wall cladding.

It is very difficult to seal Marble against acid attack.

Marble and other calcite based stones such as limestone and travertine are prone to acid etching. Marble is immediately ‘etched’ (eaten / corroded) by any acidic material on contact – including lemon juice, cola, wine and champagne. For this reason marble is seldom used to make kitchen counter tops. In any case, acidic substances should be cleaned up as soon as possible.