Marble Countertops: 7 Things You Need to Know
Marble countertops can look absolutely stunning, and that’s one of the main reasons people buy them. The beautiful natural grain in the stone makes them a delight to behold.
However, if you're considering marble as part of your renovation, there are some things you need to know. While the material is one of our favorites, it helps to learn a bit about it before installation.
It’s Porous, So It’s Also High Maintenance
Marble might be beautiful but it comes at a cost: its porosity. If you look at a slab of nature’s finest under the microscope, you’ll see millions of tiny holes that are brilliant at soaking up water, oil, milk, and juice. Liquids seep deep into the rock and, once inside, are almost impossible to remove.
Here’s the good news: the marble slabs we sell here at Stoneworx® are professionally sealed. That means that they have a layer of acrylic or polyurethane on their surface that prevents water from getting in.
Unfortunately, this layer doesn’t last forever, so if you decide to go for marble countertops, you’ll need to regularly reseal them. We always recommend having resealing done by the professionals at Stoneworx®. Doing it yourself might seem like a viable option, but marble countertops need to be treated with the care only an expert can provide.
It’s Cost-Effective
The idea that marble could be cost-effective seems pretty far-fetched to most people. And even at Stoneworx®, we’re quite surprised by this one. But it turns out to be true.
However, it depends on which marble you choose. Some are considerably more expensive than others.
If you go for the rarer luxury stones, then of course you’ll wind up paying more. But if you choose something grayer with softer veins, you’ll often wind up paying less
Remember, white marbles tend to be the most expensive. But they also look more luxurious, so it’s a tradeoff.
It Is Heat-Resistant, But Not Invincible
Marble is a rock and, as such, it’s pretty much impervious to heat. What’s more, it has excellent insulating properties. You can put a boiling hot pan on the surface and it will stay cool to the touch for a long time.
Unfortunately, the plastic sealant on top of the marble is significantly less heat tolerant. Scolding hot pans can damage it, wrecking the appearance of the entire slab. You can also blacken the stone itself with extremely hot objects.
As with all countertops, we recommend using trivets when placing hot pots or pans on stone surfaces.
It Is Not Scratch Resistant
Chopping chunks of meat with a cleaver directly on a granite countertop without damaging the underlying rock is possible because granite is so hard. But if you try doing the same with a marble counter, you’re playing with fire. Marble is much more delicate than it looks.
Our general advice is to never cut anything on a marble countertop. Instead, use a chopping block. Cutting directly will scratch the surface and remove polish and sealant, degrading its appearance. Over time, it’ll start looking dull and dreary, water will get in, and repairing it will become increasingly challenging.
We also suggest keeping any hard, metallic objects away from it. Beware of your belt buckle rubbing up against the edge of the slab as you cook: it could cause damage.
It Comes In A Range Of Colors
There are so many different types of marble on the market, you’re spoiled for choice. No matter what interior theme you want, there’s a slab to match.
At Stoneworx® we stock a large collection. Marble Verde, for instance, is a greenish marble with beautiful white striations, Marble Gregio Italia is a medium gray, and Marble Rainforest is brown with a coppery, twig-like grain.
The classic white marble is called Marble Bianco Carrera and it tends to be a premium option. It’s most popular as a kitchen worktop surface. Marble Perlato Silica is another light-colored option, but not quite as brilliant.
Marble Is Another Word For “Shining Stone”
The English word marble originates from the Greek “marmaros” which means shining stone.
No Two Marble Slabs Are Ever The Same
Lastly, while vendors try to classify marble slabs as accurately as possible, no two are ever the same. Each piece of rock forms in a unique way so marble classifications can be a little blurry. Some slabs are canonical examples of a particular type, but others are a real mixture.
Is a Marble Countertop Right For Me?
If you’re still wondering if a marble countertop is right for you, schedule a free consultation and showroom viewing with the experts at Stoneworx® today.