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Marble is undeniably one of the most sought natural stones for kitchen and bathroom countertops. It captures the heart of many homeowners because of its elegant textures and patterns, and various gorgeous designs. You can find a lot of granite stores around, and they could show you hundreds of different designs.
It has been the favorite medium of the world’s greatest sculptors and architects. It is also hardly surprising that home designers considered this ideal for kitchens and bathrooms. Despite all of these, its beauty and versatility come with disadvantages.
Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of a polished marble countertop in the kitchen.
Advantages of a Marble Countertop
It is heat-resistant
Just like certain types of granite countertops, marble has the ability to withstand high temperatures, as it can remain naturally cool. They make a great surface for baking. However, marble isn’t entirely heat-resistant, so don’t place hot pots and pans directly on a marble countertop.
Because marble can keep its coolness, they are used for baking and pastries. If you want to have a cold kitchen section, we recommend you use marble countertops there.
It has an exquisite feature
The look of a marble kitchen countertop is incomparable. Its beauty is rich with character that creates a bold statement in any room. One of the things that surely catches the eyes of everyone that walks in the room is the beautiful patterns and veins of a marble countertop.
Even though marble takes more effort than quartz when it comes to maintenance, still, many homeowners go for it. They don’t mind the extra effort they do to care for their marble countertops.
It has a timeless look
You’ll never worry about this countertop going out of style. Because of its classic and elegant appearance, it can stand the test of time. There are numerous color options available, and the most popular ones are:
- Carrara marble is a gray version with softer veins. This is one of the most affordable natural countertop materials on the market.
- Calacatta marble is a rarer yet luxurious stone. It provides a whiter surface and a more dramatic veining. This comes at a reasonable price.
- Crema valencia comes with red veins. It is best for indoor and outdoor design concepts.
Since marble is a natural stone, its patterns or colors may vary across slabs, depending on the sources and location of fabrication.
It can increase your home’s future value
If you’re planning to put your home on the market, installing a marble kitchen countertop can perceive a higher resale value than an ordinary stone or countertop. The idea of well-kept marble countertops can significantly contribute to a property’s saleability.
Of course, you need the help of a designer to help you pick the right marble to match your kitchen design and layout. This ensures your investment is put into the right place since all renovations add value and beauty to your home. You can also add up modern kitchen cabinet ideas together with your new countertop to create a statement.
It can last a long time
Compared to other commercially available natural stones, marble can last more than 100 years according to the National Association of Home Builders. Regular upkeep, maintenance, and sealing will help ensure that it lasts a lifetime. This saves you money in the long run. If you have a kitchen remodeling idea and you want it to last, make sure you add marble in your list of materials to be used.
It is widely available
Although marble isn’t locally available, finding one is relatively easy to find. Companies have a large supply in stock of marble. Because of its soft material, it is easy to shape and edge the countertop without any worry of tear or damage. This makes them an excellent option for your kitchen, bars, and bathrooms.
You can also visit our showroom to see our marble slab collection. We can help you find one that fits your home. You could see a lot of latest kitchen remodeling trends and ideas using marble for countertops.
No two slabs are the same
Marble slabs have unique patterns and color variations. If you look and compare two slabs, you won’t see them being identical. That said, you’re confident of getting genuine beauty for your kitchen and bathroom countertops. It makes a nice statement about your space.
Disadvantages of a Marble Countertop
It has a porous surface
Generally, natural stones are porous. Since marble is a natural stone, it absorbs liquid such as wine, coffee, oil, and juice. These liquids can stain your marble countertops and are difficult to remove. Similarly, acidic liquids such as vinegar and lemon juice will stain it permanently.
Fortunately, you can avoid this substantial staining by sealing your marble countertops at least annually. You can seal it yourself or hire professionals to do it. If you find some stains on your countertops, experts recommend a solution of 12 % hydrogen peroxide and a few drops of ammonia to clean the stain.
It is prone to etching
If a marble is exposed to acid for a long period of time, the polish or sealant has a tendency to etch or fade. You can hide etching by honing your marble. For light scratches or water marks, use dry #0000 steel wool to get rid of them.
It is heavy
Marble is seriously heavy in comparison to other natural stones. If you are thinking of installing it on your own, think again, as you might get injured or damage the entire slab. Leave the installation to the professionals to ensure safety and that it is fitted properly.
If you’re definitely set on DIY, opt for marble tiles. Remember to calculate the marble’s weight in tile form as it can still be heavy and make sure that your counter is strong enough to support its weight.
It is relatively costly
Marble countertops are a more expensive option than other countertops. It is possible to find relatively affordable marble countertops in various clearance sales as they are quarried all around the world.
Typically, marble countertops cost around $40 to $100 per square foot which runs with an average of $60 per square foot. The average installation cost of marble kitchen countertops is roughly $3,000.
Bottom Line
Knowing the different marble countertops pros and cons will help you assess whether choosing this will suit your needs and lifestyle or not. Although picking a marble for a kitchen countertop is an investment, the advantages of this kitchen countertop definitely outweigh its drawbacks. It is worth the work as its beauty is unparalleled and it has a longer lifespan than any other countertop. More significantly, it can add value to your home.
If you need help with your home remodeling projects, we can talk about it. We offer a complimentary consultation to help you make the right decisions for renovating your kitchen and bath.
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