Marble Countertops

In selecting natural stone countertops, there are various types of appearances, textures, thicknesses, and finishes that comprise the charm of natural stones. A wonderful thing about natural stones is that no two stones are similar, which makes every kitchen one-of-its-kind. There are also many kinds of natural stones that homeowners can select from such as slate, granite, soapstone, Jerusalem stone, and marble.

Marble countertops are preferred for its vein-like texture and smoothness. However, some people simply add marble to a portion of the entire countertop, particularly for baking. Since marble is a “softer” type of stone, it is more absorbent which makes it more vulnerable to stains and scratches, thus requiring regular sealing.

On the other hand, there are also several advantages of marble countertops which make them among the most popular types of countertops. If you’re having second thoughts on whether you want a marble countertop, you may want to know some basic things about marble and its pros and cons.

What Is Marble?

A metamorphic rock resulting from limestone metamorphism, marble is made of mostly calcite. Calcite is a “crystalline” version of “calcium carbonate”. It is a component that is extremely utilized for sculpture making, as well as a building material and many other uses.

Advantages Of Marble Countertops

There are lots of good reasons why marble countertops are great alternatives for the kitchen –that is aside from its being truly gorgeous. Cultured marble is among the most well-liked kinds of marble that is used for marble kitchen counter tops. The material is a blend of crushed marble, calcium carbonate, and “polyester binding resins”. It is waterproof, durable, and stain-resistant, as well as easy-to-maintain and available in an array of designs and color combination.

Among the major features of marble countertops is that its variation of colors has veins all through it. There may be dissimilar marble densities, but its veining and color variation is perhaps the most universal feature. One can get an extremely wide assortment of marble colors, with browns and beiges being the most admired.

Disadvantages Of Marble Countertops

Like any other material, marble also has its “limitations”. Even if marble countertops are tremendously stunning, “marble” material is in reality not a widely used material for bathroom countertops as they more porous, and liquids like shampoo, nail polish, dyes, and oils easily stain the countertop that destroying its appearance.

For kitchen marble countertops, they will offer quite a classical look for more traditionally designed kitchens; however, it does not posses the same hardness and durability of granites, and is more vulnerable to damage.

Marble And Granite Countertop Combination

Because of the seen possibilities of the weakness of marble alone, some people have opted for combining marble and granite for their countertop. They have used granite on areas that need durability and toughness, and placed marble on particular places that it serves well. Marble and granite countertops are the outcomes of the original construction of the stones used in building Egypt’s pyramids. They’re heat resistant and will not be affected by knife cuts on the surface.

A lot of people use this combination not only because of its durability and strength, but because designs and colors are naturally formed into the stones as well. These provide almost rainbows of hues having countless designs and offering a variety that will fit into whatever color scheme and theme of a kitchen.

Care And Cleaning

Do away with leaving water lying on marble countertops. Always keep in mind that the marble material is very absorbent and they may develop water pots if water is left on top of it for a long time. Wipe off immediately any spills to avoid stains. And lastly, always clean the countertop with soft cleanser and not vinegar-based cleaners to avoid damaging the marble.

On the whole, marble countertops are gorgeous options for kitchen countertops. However, to preserve its beauty and functionality precautions and proper caring is needed.