Carrara Marble: Technical Specification & Usage Guide

Carrara Marble is often romanticized as a universal solution, but chemically, it is a fragile material that demands specific architectural context. We strip away the aesthetic marketing to focus strictly on its performance limits and patina behavior—defining exactly where this stone delivers timeless value and where it becomes a maintenance liability.

Natural Marble | Italy

1. Material Overview

Carrara Marble is a classic Italian marble known for its soft white background and subtle grey veining.
It is primarily valued for interior architectural applications where visual refinement is prioritized over extreme durability.

This material should be specified with a clear understanding of its chemical sensitivity and patina behavior.

2. Recommended Applications & Constraints

Suitable for:

  • Interior wall cladding

  • Interior residential floors (low to medium traffic)

  • Bathroom walls (non-shower zones)

  • Decorative architectural elements (fireplace surrounds, feature walls)

Typical use cases:

  • Residential interiors

  • Hospitality public areas with controlled maintenance

  • Low-impact commercial interiors

3. Surface Finishes

Recommended finishes:

  • Honed – preferred finish for floors and walls

  • Polished – decorative use only (walls, low-contact areas)

Finish guidance:

  • Honed surfaces reduce visual contrast of etching and daily wear

  • Polished surfaces highlight veining but increase slip and etch visibility

4. Slip Rating (Indicative)

  • Honed finish: R9 – R10

  • Polished finish: R9

Not suitable for wet floors or pool-related environments.

Slip resistance may vary depending on quarry, finish process, and maintenance regime.

5. Dimensional Tolerances

  • Tiles: ±1.0 mm

  • Slabs: ±2.0 mm

Tolerance values assume calibrated material and controlled production standards.

6. Recommended Adhesive & Installation

Adhesive:

  • White cement-based flexible adhesive

  • Classification: C2TE S1 (EN 12004)

Installation notes:

  • Full bed coverage required (back-buttering recommended)

  • Avoid dark or fast-setting adhesives

  • Allow for natural stone movement joints

7. Maintenance & Aging Behavior

Carrara Marble is acid-sensitive.

Expected behavior over time:

  • Etching from acidic substances (wine, lemon, vinegar)

  • Gradual surface dulling in high-contact zones

  • Development of patina rather than uniform wear

This aging is normal and irreversible and should be accepted as part of the material’s character.

8. Critical Warning: Where NOT to Use Carrara Marble

Carrara Marble should not be specified for:

  • Pool decks or pool coping

  • Shower floors

  • Exterior applications

  • High-traffic commercial floors

  • Kitchen countertops with heavy daily use

  • Any area requiring low-maintenance or stain resistance

Ignoring these limitations typically results in premature dissatisfaction and surface damage.

9. Specification Notes (For Project Documents)

  • Specify honed finish for most applications

  • Clearly state “interior use only” where applicable

  • Do not substitute with “Carrara-type” or trade-name variants without verification

  • Include maintenance expectations in client documentation

10. Stone Moods Professional Note

Carrara Marble is not a performance stone.
It is a design material.

When used in the correct context, it delivers timeless architectural value.
When misused, it becomes a maintenance liability.

Correct specification is the difference.

Stone Moods
Independent Editorial · Performance-Driven
Written for architects, designers, and serious buyers.

Download Technical Spec Sheet (PDF)

“Attach this to your client documentation. It explains the maintenance reality so you don’t have to.”

Need a specific stone performance review? Ask our editorial team.

Can Carrara Marble be used in showers?

Not Recommended For Shower Floors.

Is Carrara Marble suitable for commercial floors?

Not Recommended For Commercial Floors.