is marble a good idea for kitchen countertops

by Prof. Damien Abshire IV Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago

Is there best wood to use for kitchen countertops?

What is the Best Wood for a Butcher Block

Maple Butcher Block Countertop Wood. Maple is a traditional choice of hardwood for butcher blocks, with fine grain and generally light colours.
Oak Butcher Block Countertops. ...
Bamboo Butcher Block Countertop Wood. ...
Birch Butcher Block. ...
Teak Butcher Block. ...
Cherry Butcher Block Countertops. ...
Hickory Butcher Block Countertops. ...

Which is better, quartz or marble countertops?

Seams can be visible.
Quartz counters are manmade, so they don't have the cachet of marble.
Quartz is not as heat-resistant as marble.

What material should I use for my kitchen countertop?

Tile is second only to laminate as an inexpensive countertop material.
Ceramic tile is relatively easy for a DIYer to install.
Modern porcelain types offer diverse design options—porcelain tiles can look like natural wood, real stone, and many other materials.

Should you get marble or granite countertops?

Granite is available in prices between $50-60 per square feet
Marble can be purchased for between $55-$65 per square foot.
Granite can be more challenging to clean, and it requires more care.
Marble is an expensive, luxurious material.

What are the disadvantages of a marble countertop?

Marble Countertop ConsPorous: Marble will stain and acidic liquids will stain permanently. ... Etching: Marble will scratch or if exposed to acid for a prolonged period, it will etch where the polish or sealant fades.More items...•

Is marble a good choice for counter tops?

When it comes to selecting kitchen countertops, marble remains the top choice for many homeowners. It's no surprise that marble countertops and backsplashes are so popular—the material has been attracting fans for millennia.

Which is better granite or marble for kitchen?

All natural stone requires different levels of maintenance, and homeowners should remain vigilant to the condition of their bathroom or kitchen countertops. In general, granite is very durable, stain-resistant and lower maintenance than marble.

What are the pros and cons of marble?

Living With White Marble Countertops: Pros and ConsWhat is Marble Veining? ... Pro: White Marble is Beautiful. ... Con: That Beauty Costs a Lot. ... Pro: Marble Has Maintained its Value Better than Granite. ... Con: White Marble Countertops Need Constant Sealing. ... Pro: Marble Offers a Unique Look. ... Con: Marble Gets Weaker with Time.More items...

Can you put hot pots on marble?

But what about heat and marble? Although you can generally place hot items on a marble countertop without worrying about any major damage, it's best to play it safe. In reality, placing pots and pans directly on marble is more likely to cause scratching than cracking, discoloration or yellowing.

How often does marble need to be sealed?

Sealant products range from recommending use every 6 months to every decade. However, it is safest to seal your countertop every 6 months to 1 year, to ensure your marble remains in its best condition for as long as possible.

What is the best countertop for your money?

According to the National Kitchen and Bath Association, quartz countertops are the best to go for when looking for an affordable countertop material that will give you a long service.

Which kitchen countertop material is best?

Granite has been the number one kitchen countertop option for homeowners for several years. While it has more competition than in the past, granite remains to be a top choice among homeowners because of its natural composition, exquisite looks, and designs that cannot be replicated.

What is the best stone for kitchen countertops?

THE 5 BEST STONE SLABS FOR COUNTERTOPSGranite. Those familiar with interior design will not be surprised to find granite listed first here. ... Quartzite. ... Dolomite. ... Marble. ... Engineered Stone / Quartz / Porcelain.

How long does a marble countertop last?

Marble Countertops Can Endure 50+ Years with Care Of course, marble is a much softer stone than granite and is more prone to scratches, stains, and damage over time. This is why the prescribed lifespan of a marble countertop is around 20 years.

Does marble stain easily?

Marble is more porous than other common countertop materials like engineered stone (sold often as simply “quartz”) or soapstone, so it can be prone to staining and etching (a.k.a light scratching or physical changes to the stone itself).

Does marble scratch easily?

Secret 2: Marble's Gonna Scratch. Etching makes marble dull and vulnerable to scratches. Why does marble scratch so easily? It is much softer than other durable stones like granite. Even grazing marble with a belt buckle or long metal necklace can scratch it.

Do marble countertops scratch easily?

Are marble countertops hard to take care of?

Marble is easy to clean and maintain. Gentle soap and warm water are enough to get the job done. Cleaning a marble countertop is as simple as washing it down with a solution of water and soap, wiping with a wet, hot dish towel, and then drying the countertop with an absorbent towel.

What is the most durable counter top?

Quartz takes first place in terms of durability. Made of crushed quartz stone mixed with polymers and resin, this artificially engineered stone countertop is an extremely durable surface that resembles natural stone.

Is marble cheaper than granite?

Price: Per square-foot, marble is one of the most expensive countertop materials you can buy. It's far more expensive than butcher block, and even pricier than quartz or granite.

Why is marble countertop unique?

The marble countertop is completely organic because of its physical appearance as a natural stone. Nature makes these marbles with unique designs and textures, so you can be sure that your marble countertop is unique and special.

What is marble kitchen?

Marble is a luxurious surface in any area of the house. it is a beautiful and magnificent option for kitchen countertops. The marble kitchen countertops make a bold and sophisticated look in the kitchen. They look amazing and can bring a sense of elegance and luxury to the room. They can actually add value to the house. Marble kitchen countertops add flourish and ornamentation to the kitchen.

How to clean a spilled marble countertop?

One of the simplest solutions is to keep a soft cloth handy in your kitchen which in case of any spills on the countertop surface can be cleaned immediately and easily. Wipe it away as soon as possible. Never wait to clean the spill until you are done cooking and eating. In this case, it will not leave a permanent mark or stain on the marble countertop surface.

Why is marble so ugly?

One of the drawbacks of marble is that it is a porous stone so it can absorb liquids and spills easily. This may result in staining which makes the marble ugly and unattractive. Fortunately, there are solutions to protect the marble kitchen countertops from staining that include stain removal, refinishing, cleaning and polishing.

How long do marble countertops last?

Marble kitchen countertops are long lasting and durable if sealed properly and regularly every one or two years. So if handle with care they can last for a long time. It is best to have low traffic conditions to extend the marble’s life. The marble countertops in family filled kitchens require maintenance to acquire its long life and durability.

Why do people wax marble countertops?

Some people like to wax their marble countertops to add polish and shine to the marble. Avoid it because wax can actually discolor the marble.

Why do you need to seal marble?

So it needs to be sealed properly and regularly. Sealers help to seal the pores of the marble to prevent the liquids to be absorbed into it. Sealing repels the staining agents but doesn’t make the marble stain proof. Sealing is important for the care and maintenance of the marble and the sealers are inexpensive and can be easily available in the market.

Can you regret installing a marble countertop?

So, short answer is.... yes, most likely you will regret installing a marble kitchen countertop especially if you are doing it because you like the look.

Is marble countertop good?

Yes marble is pretty, which helps trap many buyers into overlooking the maintenance demands of a marble kitchen countertop.

Can you use etch paste on polished marble?

You don't want to always be hassling with repairing etch marks even if it is relatively easy to do on polished marble using the ETCH REMOVER / Marble Polishing Paste.

What is the difference between quartz and marble?

The main benefit of quartz over marble is durability. Quartz is a man-made product that is non-porous (so stains cannot set into the stone) and incredibly durable – basically scratch proof. Granite (the other top countertop material) is not as durable as quartz, but is still more stain and scratch resistant than marble. Marble is porous – allowing oils and stains to seep into the stone – and softer than granite or quartz, allowing scratches and chips. It also is soft enough to allow etching, which simply means that water and acids can leave marks that are barely visible on the surface (usually only seen if looking at the surface from a particular angle). There are obviously other countertop options, as well, such as tile, wood, and laminate, but for today’s purpose, we are going to stick to comparing marble to quartz or granite.

Is granite more durable than quartz?

Granite (the other top countertop material) is not as durable as quartz, but is still more stain and scratch resistant than marble. Marble is porous – allowing oils and stains to seep into the stone – and softer than granite or quartz, allowing scratches and chips.

Is marble counter top expensive?

That said, many marbles are equivalent to some of the less expensive granites, and most are less than the majority of quartz options. So don’t assume that marble counters will be too expensive. Price the materials in your area and see. Note that Carrara (which is the kind we have – more gray than some and characterized by lots of gray veins) is usually one of the least expensive marbles you can find.

Is honed marble more shiny?

Honed marble is a little rougher and less shiny. As such, honed marble is more forgiving when it comes to scratching and etching. BUT it is less forgiving when it comes to staining because honed marble leaves the pores of the stone more open, allowing them to absorb oils and stains more readily than polished marble.

Should I put honed marble countertops in the kitchen?

Bottom line: would I put honed marble countertops in the kitchen again? Yes! Should you use marble in the kitchen? That’s obviously a personal decision, and you’ll need to weigh look, budget, durability, and personal taste… but I definitely think it’s a great option.

Why use marble countertops?

For the more seasoned chefs, marble countertops make baking even more exciting as their natural cool temperature will help you in the process and you’ll end up with some amazing baked goods. They are wonderful to use when dealing with easy to melt substances such as chocolate. Cook away, your marble top can take it!

Is granite a conventional or mainstream?

Granite in the kitchen, marble in the bath, so says conventional wisdom. Conventional is safe, conventional is mainstream. It is our contention, however, that conventional does not usually occur in the same sentence as “magnificent”.

Can you stain a marble countertop?

Yes, you read that correctly. There’s a common misconception that marble countertops need constant care to stay clean. In reality, maintaining a marble countertop, doesn’t go beyond cleaning it as routinely as you clean any other piece in your house. If you spill red wine on your nice new Calacatta top, it will not immediately stain.

Is marble a soft stone?

Why? Because marble, Italian marble in particular, is as we like to say “timeless, classic and luxurious. Yes, Marble is considered a “soft” stone. However, it is stone. Not resin, not glass or laminate. It is stone. Have you been to Italy? Or Greece? Or down to your local courthouse or government building?

Can you spill wine on a marble top?

If you spill red wine on your nice new Calacatta top, it will not immediately stain. As long as you don’t intend on leaving spilled wine and food overnight, in most cases, your marble will not stain. We do recommend though , that you use a high quality, professional grade sealer, such as Dry Treat.

Where is marble used?

As you correctly pointed out, marble countertops have been used for centuries. Very prevalent in Europe and you'll find marble countertops in many very old American homes because marble makes an excellent work top surface.

Is marble soft enough to fabricate?

This was hardly considered if at all 100 years ago. Marble was readily available, soft enough to fabricate easily (compared to granite) and would last longer than anything else. Done deal.

Can you prevent etching marble?

You can't prevent etching marble in the kitchen and most people get tired of nearly always having etch marks on the surface. Etching can be repaired and restored of course (See instructions in the Removing Etch Marks e-book ), but it's just one more chore IF you want to keep the countertop in "like-new" condition.

Is marble countertop bad for the kitchen?

ANSWER: A marble kitchen countertop is a potential bad idea not because it cannot do the job , but because cleaning marble and the marble maintenance required will frustrate most owners to the point they regret installing marble in the kitchen. As you correctly pointed out, marble countertops have been used for centuries.

What Is A Honed Marble Finish?

While marble can come in many colors, there are only two common types of marble used for countertops, honed and polished.

Is Marble Good For Kitchen Countertops?

If you are considering honed marble for your kitchen, you might be wondering, is marble good for kitchen countertops? Read more about the types of kitchen countertops here.

How much does a marble countertop cost?

The estimated average for a standard cultured marble kitchen countertop is about $65 per square foot of material. It’s important to remember that this is only the cost of cultured marble kitchen countertop materials alone.

Why is cultured marble important?

They are highly valued for a number of reasons and one of the biggest reasons is that they bring the beauty of marble. Yet, since they’re man-made, you have plenty of room to explore with colors and designs. This gives you the chance to create a kitchen that’s all your own and completely unique. It can also be shaped in any way that you might like, so whether you prefer counters with standard corners or circular countertops, you have plenty of choices that would work well for you.

How much does marble cost per square foot?

The average cost sits at about $60 but the average price per square foot of marble countertop can range anywhere from $40 to $100 per square foot.

How much does cultured marble cost?

In all, there’s a wide range that can be as inexpensive as $40 per square foot or as much as $140 per square foot. However, a large part of this cost has to do with how thick the slab is. If you want to use a thick slab of cultured marble for your countertop, you’re going to have to pay more money per square foot because there’s more material in each square foot.

Can you save money on marble countertops?

Luckily, you can save money on your marble countertops if you take on the installation as a DIY project. If you do this, though, make sure to carefully commit to your research beforehand to ensure you have a countertop that still looks professionally installed, even if you do all the handiwork yourself.

Is cultured marble the same as marble?

Cultured marble isn’t actually the same as standard marble. Instead, it’s considered a type of faux marble. However, it isn’t a completely different material from what is widely considered a genuine marble countertop. In fact, a cultured marble countertop is made up of about 75% genuine marble mixed with engineered stone to give it a variety of benefits that pure marble doesn’t have such as being less porous and thus easier to clean and maintain.

Can you install cultured marble countertops yourself?

You can even take on the installation of your cultured marble kitchen countertops yourself which gives you the chance to save money on the installation since, if you’re handy, you won’t need to hire a professional for the job.