There’s an infinite variety of colors and design patterns in natural stone. And often, you’ll find yourself confused between two stones. Especially when the stones are visually alike but are different, having distinctive personalities. The same is the case with these two marble countertops: Calacatta and Carrara marble. Both are Italian natural stones yet are different.

Primarily, Calacatta has bold veining patterns, while Carrara comes in subtle options. Do you want to know more about these two marble countertops? Keep reading to help yourself choose the suitable stone for your home.

Carrara Marble

The name Carrara is associated with this marble stone because of the region it comes from, Carrara, Italy. This stone has been used since the time of ancient Rome. Many significant buildings and statues have been built with it. But, there’s a subtle difference between present and past Carrara marble.

Before the Carrara stone that was being used was “Statuario Marble.” And the one that is used in the present time is “Bianco Carrara.” Anyhow the marble is Carrara coming from the same origin serving the same elegance and poise for years.

As compared to the Calacatta marble, Carrara marble is not entirely white. It has a whitish-gray background with subtle gray veins. The veins are dull and almost fine and straight. Even sometimes, the veining pattern gives a bluish hue.

Calacatta Marble

This is where the confusion jumps in. Calacatta marble comes from the same region as Carrara marble. Even sometimes, many confuse it with being Carrara-Calacatta marble. But it has its own distinct characteristics that differentiate it from the rest.

Calacatta marble has a “whiter than white” background with many dramatic vein patterns. The veining pattern ranges from beige to dark gray. Plus, the veins are bold enough to ensure their presence on the marble, unlike Carrara patterns that are subtle and often go unnoticed.

It is all about the white background of Calacatta that gives it a luxurious characteristic, making homeowners go crazy. And the high demand for elegant modern marble makes Calacatta way more expensive than Carrara. Using Calacatta waterfall countertops will add a compliment look to your dull kitchen.

What Common Features They Both Share?

Marble is a light, airy option. And if you only want marble and not something of a particular type. Then, you can go with either of the two options, Calacatta or Carrara. At the end of the day, both are natural marble stones, and they share some common features.

With that said, marble is a strong material that you can use for your countertops, backsplash, floor, bathroom vanity, and more. It is the best option for cool themes, as marble is heat resistant. Also, it can balance the overall look of your place if you have installed solid color cabinets.

Both Carrara and Calacatta need regular cleaning and sealing, as they are porous. So, they tend to absorb anything or everything that falls on their surface. Also, they’re susceptible to knife cuts and acid cleaners. You need to protect them with cutting boards and be extra careful while cleaning.

Which Stone Should You Choose For Your Kitchen Countertop?

Now that you’re aware of the differences and similarities between both the stones. It is all up to you for which one to choose. Or more specifically, it depends upon your budget, space, décor, and theme.

There’s no one answer to your query as to what you should choose. But you should know the difference between the two stones for your ease. On the basic level, there’s a visual difference between both Calacatta and Carrara.

Otherwise, both are porous countertop materials and come from the same origin and need sealing by professional installers. Even sometimes, they’re used interchangeably. Your marble countertop will stay shiny and durable for years to come with the proper care and frequent sealing.

Narrowing Down As What Is Right For Your Kitchen

Carrara is a more commonly used marble countertop as it is readily available and is budget-friendly. Moreover, there’s another reason for Carrara being homeowners’ first choice. Carrara countertops are grayer than white and so are a perfect choice for heavy traffic kitchens. They’ll add a flair of style while hiding the coffee stains on your countertops. While installing Calacatta marble comes with a lot of maintenance responsibilities. So before finalizing one out of both, keep these differences in mind and get advice from the granite company NC too about which stone is better.