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Marble and limestone are two of the main natural stone options we sell for fireplace surrounds, and although they can look similar in photographs, they are quite different when you see them in person. Limestone is still by far the more popular choice with our customers. It is generally cheaper, has a softer neutral colour and doesn’t look quite as grand as marble. Marble is becoming more popular though, especially with customers who prefer a smoother finish and want the fireplace to look a little more traditional.
There isn’t really a right or wrong choice. It mostly comes down to the look you prefer, how much you want to spend and how you feel about the natural variation in the stone.
| Limestone | Marble | |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Soft, neutral and natural | Smooth and more decorative |
| Style | Works particularly well in modern and understated rooms | Generally gives a more traditional look |
| Natural variation | Fossils, small chips and natural markings | Veining and colour can vary considerably |
| Cleaning | Needs a little more care | Generally easier to wipe clean |
| Price | Usually the more cost-effective option | Generally more expensive |
| Popularity with our customers | Our most popular natural stone surround | Becoming increasingly popular |
One of the main reasons people choose limestone is the colour.
Our limestone fire surrounds are made in Aegean limestone, which has a soft, neutral appearance and doesn’t tend to overpower a room. It works well with creams, greiges and other neutral colours, but we’ve also seen it look very good against much stronger wall colours. The surface itself has more natural texture and variation than marble, so it tends to feel a little less formal. That softer look is a big part of its appeal.
This is probably one of the main things we explain to customers about limestone. It is a natural material, so small chips, fossils, markings and colour variations are normal. Sometimes customers see one of these marks and initially think there is something wrong with the surround. In most cases it is simply part of the limestone. If you are looking for a completely smooth and uniform surface, limestone probably isn’t the best option. If you like natural stone and don’t mind one surround being slightly different from another, those markings are part of what gives limestone its character.
Marble has a much smoother finish than limestone and generally gives a fireplace a more traditional, polished appearance.
We stock a range of marble fire surrounds in different stones and finishes, so the amount of veining and overall appearance can vary considerably. The big thing to understand with natural marble is the veining it can vary a lot. One surround may have quite light veining while another piece of the same marble can have much stronger veins. The overall colour of the stone can vary as well. This means you shouldn’t expect a natural marble surround to look exactly the same as the one in a product photograph.
We think this is worth knowing before you order. The variation isn’t a fault. It is simply part of buying natural marble.
We find marble is generally easier to keep clean. Its smoother surface makes it easier to wipe down, whereas limestone can need a little more care. With either material, we would always recommend using a cleaner that is suitable for the stone rather than a strong general household cleaner. If easy day-to-day cleaning is important to you, marble has the advantage here.
In most cases, we think so.
Limestone tends to suit modern rooms because it doesn’t look as formal or grand as marble. That doesn’t mean you have to choose a very plain mantel though. Traditional designs can still work very well in limestone because the softer stone helps tone down some of the detailing. The Brompton is a good example of this. It has a fairly traditional design, but in Aegean limestone it can still sit comfortably in a more contemporary room.
For a traditional fireplace, we would usually lean towards marble. Its smoother finish tends to suit more traditional interiors, particularly when it is used with a cast iron fireplace insert or a more decorative mantel. There isn’t a strict rule though. Most customers seem to know fairly quickly which look they prefer. Some immediately like the softer, more understated look of limestone, while others prefer the cleaner finish of marble.
Natural stone is always easier to judge in person.
We have quite a large selection of marble and limestone surrounds on display in our Heanor showroom, so customers can compare the two materials side by side.
Our limestone displays include:
Our marble displays include:
We also have a good spread of mantel sizes on display, from 42 inches up to 56 inches.
This is useful because it gives you a much better idea of scale. A 42-inch surround can look very different in a room compared with a 54-inch or 56-inch mantel, and seeing the different sizes next to each other makes it much easier to work out what will suit your fireplace and room. You can also see the differences in colour, surface finish, natural markings and veining much more clearly in person than you can from a photograph. Most customers who visit us are already fairly set on whether they want marble or limestone.
They don’t often come in wanting one and leave having completely changed their mind. What the showroom tends to help with is choosing the actual surround and getting a better idea of the size they need.
Micro marble is slightly different again. It is manufactured using marble and resin, so it gives you a much more consistent finish than natural marble. That can be useful if you like the smooth look of marble but don’t want as much variation in the colour and veining. Natural marble is different because every piece will vary. This is worth checking when you are comparing fireplaces online because a natural marble surround and a micro marble surround won’t necessarily have the same look or characteristics.
If you want a quick way of deciding, this is generally how we would look at it.
Choose limestone if you want:
Choose marble if you want:
For most people, the decision is more about appearance than anything else.
Limestone remains our biggest seller because it is more affordable and works in a wide range of rooms. Marble costs more, but if you prefer the smoother finish and more traditional look, it can be worth the difference.
If you’re not sure, you are welcome to visit our Heanor showroom and compare both materials side by side. You can also see a range of surround sizes in person, which makes choosing the right proportions for your room much easier.
We can also post out samples to give you an idea of the finish and texture.
Phone
01773 718718
Email
sales@castfireplaces.co.uk
