Marble

Claim: The construction industry would crumble without rocks.
Rationale: Marble is a renewable resource, which means it doesn’t run out, that’s one of the reasons of why it is used a lot. it is used in buildings for mostly interior uses, but sometimes also exterior uses. It is also used in sculptures. Marble flooring is very popular around the construction industry, this is because marble conveys a good visual appearance and has good durability. Though, like every material it should be take care of (shining, polishing). There is also an alternative option for marble, which is travertine. Travertine is also made from limestone, sometimes its mistaken for marble because of having similar properties. In terms of cost travertine costs half of what marble costs, this is because of not having the same level of visual appearance as marble. Marble is a very important material/rock in the construction industry, as its used for both interior and exterior uses, and its renewable.
Marble is a material used in prestige architecture and interior design. It is the most popular natural stone in the construction sector (Visual Arts Cork). Marble
which is formed from the purest limestone is white in colour, though impurities such as clay, sand, organic matter and other materials make it change its colour for example gold, brown yellow, grey. It has many unique properties that make it a valuable rock in the construction industry. It is from the family of limestone and it is formed when limestone encounters extreme heat and pressure leading to metamorphic state of the stone. There are also many different types of marbles for example:
1. Carrara Marble- This is a white marble, with a clean look and a grey texture. This marble is typically thin, leaner and feathery versus dark, sharp and bold. The best uses for this marble are interior (inside houses/apartments).

2. Thassos Marble- Thassos Marble is crystal white in colour and its name comes from the island of Thassos from Greece. This marble is mostly used for kitchen and bathroom countertops, as well as tiled floors.

Marble is used for its beauty in architecture and sculpture. Compared to other stones such as granite and quartzite, marble is a soft stone and can be easily cut and carved by sculptors and artisans. It can be conveniently worked upon to give the desired shape and bring out the intricate detailing as per the requirements. It has both interior and exterior uses, some of its interior uses include using it in bathrooms, countertops, floor tiles, stairs interior decoration. It’s used as a building stone, office buildings, garden decoration. Marble's translucency and durability has made it the medium of choice for all the greatest sculptors, including Greek artists like Phidias, Myron and their successors Donatello, Bernini. One of the most famous sculptures, ‘The Elgin Marbles’ were made by the Greek Sculptor Phidias, this sculpture was partially destroyed in 1687 when the Turks carelessly but unintentionally blew up the Parthenon.
Marble like every other material has its advantages and disadvantages.
Its properties make it useful in some situations while in others, it’s not so useful. Some of Marble’s advantages are that its very durable and can last for ages, marble floor is also scratch resistant. It is a soft stone, which means it can be easily carved to the desired shape and intricate detailing. Some of its disadvantages are that it requires proper care and maintenance, it should also be polished to give it the shiny look, or it can become yellow in colour. It becomes very cold in winter, this is because it conducts heat differently, Marble is a very dense, hard stone, and this makes it easier for heat to transfer from a warmer object, such as the soles of your feet. The heat will then dissipate through the marble quickly, so the marble doesn't feel any
warmer.
Travertine is a product which is a bit better then marble is terms of use and cost. They are both different products, even though both are made from limestone. Travertine is a stone which can be sealed or not sealed, while on the other hand marble is always sealed. Travertine is great for outdoor uses, such as pool areas as it doesn’t scratch, this is because of the convenient sealing and non-sealing feature. Travertine also costs half of what marble costs, and is more efficient to use in large projects. Though travertine has its own advantages, marble has many other uses, out of the construction industry, for example, marble is used in farms, for the animals who live there need a steady supply of calcium to produce milk and eggs. Powdered limestone and marble are used to produce these supplements because they are softer than the animal’s teeth, soluble and rich in calcium. In conclusion, marble is used in many ways in the construction industry. And Unlike other materials which are used in the construction industry, marble also has different uses. It also gives a good visual appearance