Marble counters add luxury, beauty, and a lot of maintenance to kitchens
Marble is a natural stone that comes in many colors and patterns.
Marble is luxurious, durable, unique, and heat resistant.
Cons include cost, softness, and high maintenance needs.
Marble is among the most expensive natural stone materials.
It requires a lot of care to stay beautiful.
If you are looking for a luxurious, beautiful, and timeless countertop material, marble counters may be just what you want. Their rich color and patterning, variety of hues and finishes, and high-end look can fit almost any kitchen and make it look like a showroom. But marble countertops have pros and cons that you will want to consider carefully before making them part of your new kitchen design.
Marble is a type of limestone. While it is often white with gray veining, marble is also available in a variety of colors that range from brilliant white to black. Marble quarried in different parts of the world have unique appearances with varying sizes of grain and amounts of veining.
Marble slabs are a popular countertop material, and you can find them with several different surface finish options, including honed (also referred to as matte), polished (shiny), and leather (a slightly patterned finish that hides scratches and fingerprints but still allows the full color and gleam to shine through).
There are a lot of advantages to choosing marble countertops for your kitchen upgrade. Here are the main upsides:
If you have been in a kitchen with marble countertops, you will probably remember them. They add a rich, beautiful, elegant look to large and small spaces alike. Whether you choose more affordable Carrara marble countertops or splurge on rare and prestigious Calacatta marble that is only quarried in limited quantities in one place in the world, their veining and sparkle make a visual impact like nothing else.
One of the biggest benefits of marble countertops is their longevity. While most marble experts will agree that countertops should last at least 20 years, you can get 50 or more years out of them if you maintain and care for them properly.
If you want a unique-to-you countertop, marble is one of the best countertop materials you could choose. Marble slabs come in a variety of colors, crystal sizes, and veining color and design that make each piece unlike any other, and you can choose among several finishes to further customize your countertop installation.
Whether your style is classic, modern, or somewhere in between, marble counters will look right at home in your kitchen. That is because there is such a wide range of colors, veining, and finishes, and the material itself is prized for fitting into and upgrading nearly every kind of space.
There is a good reason why you see marble slab countertops in bakeries. They are cool to the touch, and they stay cool. This makes it easier to make pastry, as well as do other kitchen tasks. Marble countertops are heat resistant, meaning they will not scorch or burn with normal heat exposure. They are not completely heat-proof, though, so you should still use trivets under hot dishes and resist the urge to put hot pans directly on the counter.
As it ages, marble gains a patina and begins to look antiqued. For many homeowners, this is a welcome and desired attribute; however, if you do not like the look, this can be a downside.
It depends on your choice of marble and the location and overall condition and value of your home, along with other factors, but the beauty and resilience of marble countertops can capture buyer interest and may increase the value of your home. Yes, they are more expensive to install, but marble countertops never go out of style and always add a rich feel. If you budget correctly when choosing the type of marble, and if they are in good shape, they can add value and give a decent return on investment.
Because it is usually mined and prepared to minimize product waste, does not off-gas VOCs, lasts decades, and may be reused and recycled, marble can be a smart choice from an environmental perspective. To be extra Earth-friendly, ask local stone countertop suppliers if there is a local quarry you can source from, as shipping across oceans uses a lot of fossil fuels. You should also ask whether the marble company has pledged to protect workers, treat or recycle water, use lower-energy methods to transport materials, and embrace sustainable practices like land reclamation after closing quarries.
Yes, they are beautiful and can make any kitchen look magazine-worthy, but marble counters are not for everyone. Here are the main reasons why:
Marble counters look like a million bucks, and you should be prepared to pay for that look of luxury. At an average of $60 per square foot, marble is among the most expensive countertop materials you can buy, even when compared to other types of stone countertops. Even though they are not a fit for every budget, you may be able to find a more affordable type of marble to give you the look you want at a price point you can afford. Alternatively, you might find discounted marble remnants (or even similar-looking granite remnants) from bigger jobs to give you a little marble glitz if doing your whole kitchen is out of the question.
For all its beauty, marble is not the hardest stone. In fact, as a type of limestone, it is softer and more porous than many other types of natural stone, such as quartzite, quartz, and granite. This means it will scratch, stain, crack, and chip when exposed to rough treatment, not resealed often enough, or exposed to dark-colored liquids. Marble may be buffed to remove scratches and stains, and some cracks and chips can be filled, but only complete refinishing has a chance of fixing deeper damage; some cannot be repaired at all.
Etching happens when marble’s finish is eaten away and spots become lighter when exposed to acids like acidic cleansers, wine, vinegar, citrus, tomatoes, and other foods and liquids. Etching can appear as speckles, drips, streaks, or larger areas of stone that become lighter. Some minor etching can be buffed out, but when stone etches deeper than surface level, there is no repairing it.
Because of its softer and more porous nature, marble requires frequent sealing to maintain its surface shine and to help it resist staining and etching. For little-used kitchens, you should reseal marble countertops at least once a year, but surfaces that get heavy use may need to be sealed four times a year or more. You can buy DIY marble sealer at most home improvement stores, and resealing marble is easy enough for most homeowners to do themselves.
As it ages, marble becomes weaker and is more likely to sustain damage, like corrosion, scratching, etching, gouges, cracking, breaking, and obvious wear in high-use areas. This means that you will likely need to invest in maintenance and repairs to keep your marble countertops looking their best.
Marble countertops are more expensive than other types of countertops, but the price will vary depending on the grade of the marble, the rarity of the color and type, the amount of marble you have installed, the complexity of the job (more angles and seams = a bigger price tag), installation costs, and other factors unique to every job.
The amount you can expect to spend on marble counters ranges widely, from $15 to $190 per square foot. Installation can cost another $25 or more per square foot. This is comparable to other natural stone countertops (and similar to what soapstone countertops cost), but more than the average. If you are looking for kitchen countertops on a budget, marble may not be the best material for you.
While it’s possible to install marble countertops yourself, this is one project you may want to leave to the professionals. Marble slabs are heavy, so installing them solo is virtually impossible. If you do have help, it takes precise alignment and measurements to get the exact fit; otherwise, you risk uneven installation and damage. Considering how expensive marble is, let the pros handle it instead of risking the cost of a replacement slab.
As with other materials, preventing damage is the best way to care for marble countertops. That means having them sealed before or during installation, and then resealing them every year or as needed. Marble sealant can keep them from absorbing liquids, staining, and etching.
Here are other ways to care for marble countertops:
Only use marble-approved cleansers. Acidic cleansers such as vinegar and ammonia will damage the sealant and cause the stone to discolor; repairing etching and discoloration is usually impossible.
Immediately wipe up any spills with a damp cloth.
Use a poultice stain remover designed for marble to remove stains right away.
Do not allow dirty dishes to sit on the counters.
Pour juice, wine, and other acidic or dark liquids over the sink or the table to avoid spilling on the countertops.
Do not allow wet dishcloths, pitchers, or other wet items to sit on the marble countertops.
Use cutting boards to protect the finish and sealant; this can also prevent acidic foods like citrus, onions, and tomatoes from etching the stone surface.
Use hot pads under pans and dishes.
Lauren Bongard contributed to this article.
Marble countertops have a porous surface, which means they require sealing to maintain their shine and resist scratches. If you cook several meals throughout the week in your kitchen and use your counters heavily, then you’ll need to reseal it about four times per year. Kitchens used less frequently may only need a reseal once per year.
Since marble is a porous material, it is more prone to water spots than other countertop options. Fortunately, pure water doesn’t damage your marble, but if the water is acidic, it can cause stains or water spots. Resealing throughout the year can help increase marble’s water resistance, too.
Quartz is widely considered the most durable countertop material thanks to its low maintenance, stain resistance, and water resistance. It’s a man-made material made from a combination of rocks and resin, making it more durable than naturally occurring options. Marble is another durable option, with marble slabs lasting more than 50 years when properly cared for in the home.
