Reasons Why Marble Countertops Are Unsuitable for Kitchens

Posted: Apr 11, 2014
Author: The Gallery of Stone

The rich color tones of the marble palette encompass neutrals and creamy whites, amazing blacks, ocean greens, soft oranges, dreamy yellows and even pink. Marble is crystallized limestone, so skilled pros can polish it to a mirror-finish to bring out the depth of its gorgeous colors. However, marble countertops are recommended only for areas not subjected to heavy use – like bathroom vanities – instead of wet bars or kitchen countertops. Why?

• Marble is reactive with acids (salad dressing, alcoholic drinks, coffee, soda, fruit juices, etc.) and it will etch on contact with them.
• Etching erodes the polish and corrodes the stone, leaving light-colored, dull spots. If you have marble countertops in the kitchen, these spots will be everywhere. They are impossible to prevent.
• Often, a matte (honed) finish is recommended for kitchen countertops because etching is less noticeable. However, etching still occurs on matte surfaces, so it doesn’t really solve the problem.
• Marble is softer than granite and therefore more prone to scratching.
• Even though polished marble is highly resistant to stains, and even though matte marble can be sealed to prevent stains, sealing won’t prevent etching. If marble countertops are part of a kitchen design, they’ll be extremely high-maintenance.
• In bathrooms, etching is not an issue with marble countertops because exposure to acids is minimal.

We, at The Gallery of Stone, serving the Clermont-Orlando area of Florida, invite you to contact us to find out more about our products and remodeling services, which include kitchen and bathroom design.