Marble is well known for its beauty. Most people associate marble with luxury due to its uses in expensive or royal historical buildings. Marble is also a prized material for kitchen countertops. But does marble in countertops stand up to its reputation in today’s modern world?

Beautiful Marble

The fact remains that the beauty of marble is still greatly appreciated. Being a natural stone with a distinctive look, marble will most likely remain popular for a long time to come. The delicately ‘marbled’ surface has an elegant simplicity to it.

Heat Proof
Marble resists damage from heat which is a good thing in a kitchen.

Porous

Being porous means the potential for staining. If liquids are spilled onto the marble surface, the longer the spill is left the more the potential for staining. Spills must be wiped up promptly. Sealers are necessary to maintain the look and may need to be reapplied according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Professional sealing is recommended.

Softer than Other Stones

Marble can be damaged by scratches because it is a relatively soft stone. On a surface such as a counter top, scratching is a real possibility. More care must be taken to prevent scratches on marble than on other harder stone surfaces.

Expense

One of the reasons that marble is relatively rare in entire kitchen counter scenarios is the price. Marble is very costly compared to other materials. More often you will find certain areas of the kitchen with marble, such as an island.

The cons need to be considered when thinking about investing in marble counters. If you can put up with the steps necessary to keep your counters in top shape and you truly love the unique look it provides, then marble may be a choice for you.

If the maintenance necessary seems prohibitive, consider an alternate stone counter material such as granite.