Marble is a metamorphic rock that is still adored by many people for its beauty, luminosity and smoothness.
This natural stone is quarried from the earth’s crust in a variety of ways, depending on the geographical conditions from where it’s extracted.
It has beautiful natural patterns that are not available on other artificial materials.
Maybe that’s the reason why many people still prefer marble worktops.
If you are considering marble or your kitchen renovation or a new kitchen, here are some important things that you must be aware of marble worktops and their faux alternatives.
Why is marble a great choice for worktops?
Marble is a great selection for countertops because it is a porous and poor conductor of heat, it is cool to touch.
Many pastry chefs prefer a cool countertop surface when working with dough.
Since marble absorbs heat, the dough doesn’t overheat while working on a marble worktop.
Does marble stain?
While its porosity is bliss for pastry chefs, it also has one of the downsides that make it susceptible to staining.
Certain liquids like citrus juices, red wine and oil may easily seep into marble and are very difficult to get out.
The main care is to wipe spillages as these happen.
If you follow this simple tip, it is highly likely your marble worktops won’t ever get stained.
There are certain marble protective agents or sealants in the market to make it water-resistant which are applied by stone technicians during a marble worktop installation.
Does marble scratch?
Marble softer than to granite, hence a little bit more prone to scratches.
Having said this, we must remember that marble is still extremely tough and durable.
We only need to see all the famous monuments and statues built over different civilizations to know this.
Similarly, and over time, marble creates a unique patina on the surface.
Therefore, it is a great choice for people who understand the beauty of natural materials, which generally includes unique marks and patterns that make it special.
Marble finishes available in the market
A reliable marble supplier would show you many varieties of marble in both honed and polished finishes.
The honed finish is created with a sanding technique to give a matte appearance to a marble piece.
This won’t show off scratches on the surface but due to the presence of pores, it is more susceptible to staining than a polished finish.
Polished marble is a highly glossy and reflective surface that boasts vibrancy of this natural stone while can repel moisture better.
This finish can resist staining and can also bring more light into the room.
This is particularly so especially when installed next to a window or open area.
Which is the most popular marble worktop?
Carrara marble, which is extracted in Italy’s Carrara region, is one most popular and readily available marble worktop materials.
It is also affordable when compared to other striking veined marbles and when compared to other feathery veined marble pieces.
Besides that, the famous luxury varieties of marble are Statuario or Calacatta.
Both these are available in bright white colour and bear more dominant veining.
But an average piece of these luxury marble pieces would cost substantially more than Carrara marble as both Calacatta Marble and Statuario are less abundant on the Earth.
How to maintain a marble worktop?
Marble countertops require professional sealing when they are first installed, and they need to be resealed every two years at most.
However, it still doesn’t provide a guaranteed protection.
Sealants make marble very stain-resistant although not stain-proof.
Marble does not stain easily although you should try to avoid spills and wipe it up immediately when these occur.
Especially if any acidic liquid spills over the marble surface.
For cleaning, hot soapy water is needed to clean the surface with a soft cloth.
You can buff dry the surface to avoid any watermarks.
If you can manage regular maintenance and cleaning of marble, it is surely a great stone for your kitchen.