Marble is a really beautiful, high end countertop option. If you're looking for a timeless and elegant aesthetic (which is very common with some of the historic homes here in Denver) you might find yourself pulled toward the natural beauty and dramatic veining of a Marble Countertop.
We love Marble too, but if you're considering Marble for a high use space like a bathroom, kitchen or laundry room, it might not be all roses and butterflies. Let's discuss the hard truth about Marble.
ETCHING ON MARBLE
If you're not familiar with what etching is, it's when the surface of marble reacts with acidic substances, such as lemon juice, vinegar, or tomato sauce, leaving behind a dull and often whitish mark. However, almost anything can leave an etch mark on a Marble Slab, hot or cold water like a hot tea cup or glass of ice water can also leave marks. These are visible in certain light and are very hard to remove once they're there.
STAINS ON MARBLE
Marble countertops also stain very easily. It's important to use only marble stone cleaners with low acidity. Avoiding harsh cleaners with bleach or abrasive ingredients. Even sponges can actually scratch or damage marble. This is not usually an issue with granite or quartz countertops.
HOW TO REMOVE ETCHING AND STAINS ON MARBLE
If you are installing new countertops, we recommend having your countertops sealed professionally to provide maximum protection. This will set you up for success down the line. However, if you have existing damage on your stone, resurfacing can be a good way to restore your countertop to its natural beauty. Resurfacing is a process of sanding, polishing & sealing to protect your stone. With any natural stone, you should aim to reseal every year or two. With Marble, you might want to reseal more frequently. We have not seen much success with over the counter etching removers.
STONE ALTERNATIVES TO MARBLE COUNTERTOPS
While Marble is a beautiful stone, it is not the optimal stone for high use spaces. Marble is highly porous stone (as are limestone and travertine). Marble is also softer than other natural stones like granite for example, so it will scratch and etch. Engineered Quartz is a wonderful maintenance free countertop option that can give an aesthetic that's similar to Marble. Granite is a beautiful natural stone that is much stronger and holds sealant better than Marble. We also love Neolith, Dekton, Natural Quartzite which are all stronger and more resilient options for countertops. Learn more about some alternative stone options for countertops below.
Stones we recommend at CAPO KB!
- Quartz is a zero maintenance solution for countertops because raw quartz is mixed with resin to create a non-porous surface that never needs to be sealed.
- Quartzite is a natural stone that does require sealing (like Granite) but is heat resistant and highly durable.
- Granite is a low maintenance, hard stone that requires occasional sealing, but is great for countertops.
What are your countertops? Do you love them? Hate them? Share in the comments below!
