Can You Use Marble For Countertops?

The short answer is yes.

After working 7 years selling stone, I know a thing or two about marble and countertops. Here is the long answer. It truly depends on your expectations of how the stone will hold up over time. If you are considering using marble for your countertop these are the questions you should ask yourself. Am I okay with the stone growing with the space and showing character over time? How often do you cook? Are you a clean and careful cook? The truth is marble has been used for countertops for many, many years in Europe. We have this perception in America that everything has to be perfect and kept perfect. If you have this perception, marble countertops are not for you. Marble by nature is made up of Calcium Carbonate. When acids comes in contact with marbles, or limestones you are looking at a chemical reaction between the acid and neutraliser calcium carbonate. Light marbles such as Cararra, Calacatta or Statuario are more forgiving when it comes to stains and etching. When an acid reaction occur it etches lighter in color, this is why darker marbles are terribly hard to upkeep especially in a kitchen countertop applications.

If you are going to use marble in a kitchen application perhaps consider using it for less used surfaces and for the main work surfaces use a more durable selection such as a quartzite or porcelain.

If you are going to use marble for your countertops consider these notes:

• Stick with a lighter marble, acid etching always etches lighter in color. Blemishes will be more noticeable on a darker surface.

• Use a Honed finish. When acid etching occurs on a polished surfaces it will react with the polished finish and remove the polish. This will flatten the texture, this makes the etched spot very noticeable.

• Use as the bordering surface in your space that are considered lower traffic surfaces and use a more durable surface for your main work space.

• Don'‘t sweat it, if a few spots begin to show up here and there you can have a professional come in and refurbish your marble countertops.

• Use a penetrating sealer from a reputable brand such as Mapei, Laticrete, Miracle, Ardex

• ONLY clean with a PH neutral cleaner, or a specific Natural Stone Cleaner.

• Remember that it is a beautiful piece of mother nature and it is okay for it to grow and wear with your space.