Marble countertops offer an elegance and sophistication unmatched by any other type of countertop material.
People have used marble for centuries in their homes and workplaces for a variety of reasons; the natural beauty of marble creates a smooth, inviting surface that is different from any other countertop material available. Additionally, because each marble slab is created by Mother Nature over time, no two slabs will ever look alike, which adds character and personality to any kitchen and makes the marble a beautiful focal point, rather than just a functional work surface.
Although engineered products continue to gain popularity, many designers prefer to use marble to create timeless designs that do not conform to passing trends of the moment.
This article provides all of the information required about marble countertops, including maintenance, care, advantages, and disadvantages.
The visual aesthetics associated with marble are unique because when light is passed through the marble, it creates brightness in the kitchen’s overall appearance—a critical design factor in a small kitchen design.
Marble also works with almost every cabinet color; you can match marble to white cabinets, wood cabinets, or even very bold colors such as navy blue and green. The adaptability of marble allows the designer to create an endless number of styles using marble; it can be incorporated into classic, professional, country, and luxury kitchens.
The emotional attachment that many people form with marble is one reason it’s a popular countertop material.
People associate marble with luxury: high-end residential properties, tailor-made interiors, and handmade kitchens.
Unlike other materials, such as laminate, where the same uniformity is achieved every time, with marble, each piece is different, thus creating an element of individuality and authenticity in the kitchen design, which continues to be a strong draw for consumers to use marble in their kitchens.
Marble’s extraordinary physical beauty is arguably the most notable reason for its popularity as a kitchen countertop. Marble consists primarily of a crystal structure with flowing soft patterns (“veins”) that change depending on the type of marble. The way in which these veins appear on a slab creates a feel of uniqueness, naturalness, and calmness, which can rarely be replicated by any manufactured material.
Due to its softness, marble countertops offer aesthetic warmth and an inviting aspect in a home setting, thus making it less sterile in nature as compared to metallic or concrete surfaces.
Beside visual appeal, marble comes with an interesting history. Every piece of marble represents its excavation site, which can be traced back through the layers of sediment and material used to create the final product.
Each slab of marble has a distinctiveness associated with its geological environment and will continue to develop its personality over time through natural wear and tear (patina) caused by everyday use. For some homeowners, the patina created by regular use adds another dimension of style and character; however, for others, it may seem as an imperfection on the design of that stone.
Heat Resistance and Performance in the Kitchen
Marble is an excellent material for use in a kitchen because of its high resistance to heat buildup.
Such natural properties allow for good direct contact between marble and heat sources. Hence, marble has been used widely by bakers and chefs due to this property of being able to stay at a cooler temperature while baking.
When dough is prepared on a cool surface, it makes it easier for bakers to handle it and bake pastries. While marble can serve as an aesthetic item, it also has many functional applications.
Although marble is considered heat-resistant, care must be taken to protect it from the elements. The continual expansion and contraction caused by heating and cooling creates vast temperature differences on marble, which can lead to breakdown over time.
For this reason, it is recommended to always use trivets or other heat-reducing devices whenever cooking so your countertop doesn’t suffer from excessive heat exposure. Also, remember that Marble has the functional needs necessary for a full year of cooking.
Although marble is a durable natural stone, it is noticeably softer than granite or quartz. Because of its softness, however, it is much more prone to scratches than either granite or quartz.
If knives or heavy pans are used on marble, they will leave marks on the surface of the marble, although these marks do not typically affect the structure of the marble; they simply alter its aesthetic appeal. Many people view marble scratches as part of the natural process of aging and developing patinas.
In order for a marble countertop to remain durable throughout its life, marble needs to be installed and maintained appropriately over time. Many historic houses still have their original installment of marble in their homes, providing proof that marble can last for long periods of time.
When a marble top becomes scratched or dull over time due to regular use, you can have your marble top professionally refinished to restore its surface appearance. A professionally refinished marble top is more valuable than a new top because of the refinisher’s ability to restore the appearance of the marble and increase the value of the marble countertop over the long term. Therefore, if you maintain your marble countertop properly, then it should continue to provide you with added value for many years to come.
Marble for kitchen countertops is often seen as a high-end material that adds to the perceived value of a home. Because buyers tend to associate marble with luxury, kitchens featuring this type of countertop can create an exceptional first impression. In areas where it is highly competitive, the opportunity to resell at a higher price may be greater.
Natural stone also adds an element of quality and design, making a purchase of a kitchen with a marble countertop very appealing to some buyers.
Marble is not for everyone; however, it attracts people who want a distinctive and elegant look. Kitchens with marble surfaces tend to have a greater amount of interest generated through their listings and during showings than kitchens that do not have any marble.
Even if a buyer anticipates having their home for several years before selling, they are able to enjoy living in an area that looks beautiful and furnished in a sophisticated manner.
Although marble is nice to look at, there are certain disadvantages that it possesses. Stained marble is perhaps the most obvious issue with this type of stone. Because marble has a very porous nature, it will absorb any liquid that it comes into contact with.
So if you spill something on your counter, such as coffee or wine or fruit juice, without immediately cleaning it up, the flooring may become stained with that substance. Some liquids (especially acidic ones) can cause more serious damage by reacting with the marble’s surface.
Etching also causes issues with marble countertop surfaces. When an acid (or anything acidic in nature) reacts with marble’s surface, it creates dull spots within the etch that create light or rough areas on the surface of your marble, which, although not technically classified as stains, are still considered unsightly blemishes or flaws in the overall look of your marble countertop. Being aware of these potential issues will give you an idea of how to correctly maintain your marble countertops.
To maintain the appearance of marble, it needs to be cleaned regularly. One of the main functions of cleaning is to protect the surface of the marble by keeping it sealed. Keeping your marble sealed prevents it from absorbing moisture and oils, which can lead to stains.
Most people with marble counters will need to seal their counters at least once or twice per year, depending on how frequently they use them. Sealing marble is fairly simple, but it is one of the most critical steps in maintaining the long-term performance of your marble.
Cleaning marble counters daily can be done using mild soap and water as a cleaner; using abrasive or extremely strong chemicals such as bleach will damage the finish of your marble counter. If you have a spill, clean it up immediately to avoid staining.
Additionally, cutting boards should always be used to avoid scratching your countertop when preparing food. These practices may seem overwhelming at first but eventually will become second nature to you as part of your daily routine of caring for a marble countertop.
When it comes to marble countertops, these items are considered a luxury product, and pricing will vary according to the quality of the marble, the thickness of the slabs used, the type of finish applied, and the complexity of the overall installation.
In general, the varieties of marble most often found will have a lower price range than rare materials or those imported from abroad. The installation of marble can significantly impact the actual cost of the product because, like most other types of natural stone, if improperly installed, you may have excess cracking and an unlevelled surface.
Most consumers who choose to install marble countertops believe that the investment is warranted for both the appearance and longevity in comparison to both laminate countertops and solid-surface countertops.
A number of factors will determine the price of marble. First, where the marble has been extracted will affect its pricing. Marble extracted locally will typically cost less than imported marble.
Secondly, the type of finish will also have a significant impact on the price of the marble. A polished finish will be considerably more expensive than a honed finish. Finally, how the edges of the marble are finished will be an additional cost, as some decorative edges require higher labor costs than flat edges.
The layout of the kitchen will also affect the price of installing the marble. A larger kitchen or island will require more material, thus increasing the total costs associated with the installation. By understanding these variables, homeowners can better prepare an adequate budget for the marble prior to installation.
Granite and quartz are compared to marble because of many similarities between all three stones. Granite is the hardest material (of the three) and will therefore offer better scratch resistance than both marble and quartz.
Since quartz is manufactured and therefore non-porous (cannot absorb spills), it is easier to keep clean than both marble and granite. Granite is a great option for a busy kitchen environment because of its durability, and quartz is a great option for someone that wants a more low-maintenance (less effort required) home.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, marble is ideal for those homeowners who appreciate the look of natural stone and don’t mind putting a little work into taking care of their countertops. Ultimately, which type of countertop material you select will depend on your lifestyle, your budget, and the design goals you have for your home.
If a homeowner loves the beauty of natural stone along with the upkeep that comes with natural stone, marble can work beautifully for many people. For individuals that have busy kitchen areas and drop things quite frequently, this can be an issue, as marble countertops can be quite slippery due to their smoothness. Young children can also create a concern for homeowners regarding the possible stains that could happen along with scratch marks that can occur on marble surfaces.
For homeowners that enjoy entertaining in their kitchens as well as spending time cooking, marble can add significant character and a lot of uniqueness to the kitchen area. Marble adds a personal touch to any family kitchen and provides a sense of personality within any kitchen area as well as within any family. Understanding how the homeowner interacts with their kitchen area on a regular basis can assist in determining if using marble would fit into a homeowner’s lifestyle and daily routine.
Marble is a luxury material that evolves with time. As it is used within the kitchen over time, it will accumulate minor scratches, as well as create a patina on the marble’s surface.
Some homeowners appreciate the look of aged marble and like that it gives their home a sense of character and history, while others do not want to see the worn or distressed look, allowing them to opt to have their marble polished or refinished.
Refinishing the marble countertop allows homeowners to keep their countertops looking fresh, giving them the ability to refresh their marble countertops when needed without the expense of purchasing additional marble countertops. Marble can be seen as an investment that a homeowner can keep over many years as a design feature. It is an option for long-term enjoyment in addition to being a short-term design option.
Marble doesn’t require an incredible amount of chemical processing in order to create or utilize, because it is a natural substance. When marbles are responsibly obtained, they represent a sustainable resource. Furthermore, due to the long life of marbles, they will not need to be replaced as frequently as other building materials.
It is important to buy from reputable dealers who sell quality-sourced marbles and employ skilled artisans to create their product. In addition, knowing the marble has been ethically manufactured provides consumers reassurance that they are participating in supporting a responsible industry practice.
Partnering with builders, designers, and homeowners has been the foundation for Kowalski Granite & Quartz for over 25 years in providing high-quality granite, quartz & marble across West Michigan. With extensive experience in working with stone products and a commitment to artisan craftsmanship, Kowalski Granite & Quartz has developed a competitive advantage among stone product suppliers, where their projects reflect a high level of attention to detail and the utmost respect for the materials utilized to create the product(s) they produce.
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