Marble is one of the most popular natural stone options when it comes to bathroom and kitchen countertops. Its versatile but undeniable beauty endows any space with a sense of grandeur and elegance while allowing it to blend in with any home decor. It is available in numerous textures, colours, designs and patterns. But is a marble countertop suitable for your home?
Here, we look at their pros and cons to help you make up your mind.
Pros and Cons of Marble Countertops
To help you understand whether marble is the right countertop material for your home, let’s look at its pluses and minuses.
Pros
1. Timeless Appearance
Marble is timeless, elegant and cannot be imitated. This is why it’s preferred among those looking for a stylish countertop material. Although it’s available in numerous colour options, there are two that stand out from the rest:
i) Carrara marble is greyish in colour and reasonably priced;
ii) Calacatta marble has a white base with dark veining.
Since it offers a classic appearance, there is no need to worry about your countertop going out of style. But remember, it’s a natural stone so the pattern or colour may vary across slabs, depending on the sourcing and fabricating location.
2. Durability
Marble can typically last up to 5x longer than other commercially available natural stones before needing to be replaced. You don’t need to worry about chips, scratches or cuts of any kind as it can handle countertop traffic well. This saves you money in the long run as you won’t have to replace or repair your marble countertop anytime soon.
3. Availability
If the countertop stone is not locally available, transportation costs might get included in the price. Marble is relatively easy to find, which means your countertop can be installed sooner as you won’t have to wait days for the finished product to be delivered.
Marble is also softer than many other materials, making it easier to shape and edge the countertop without damaging it. This makes it a great option for different areas of your home such as kitchens, bars and bathrooms. It’s another reason countertop companies generally have a large supply in stock for customers.
4. Added Property Value
A home with a marble countertop can expect a higher resale value compared to one with an ordinary stone or concrete countertop.
5. Heat Resistance
Leaving hot pans and pots directly on kitchen marble countertops isn’t recommended, but marble does have heat-resistant properties. That said, it’s best to use trivets and hot pads to prevent the finish from getting damaged.
Cons
1. Porosity
Since marble is a natural stone, its pores can absorb liquid. Wine, coffee, oil and juice can stain your kitchen countertop and be difficult to get rid of. Likewise, liquid makeup and nail polish can stubbornly stain marble bathroom countertops.
Fortunately, sealants can protect your marble countertops. You could apply it yourself, but having it done professionally offers better results.
2. Weight
Marble is slightly heavier than other natural stones. While you could try installing it yourself, it’s better to have a professional do it. This avoids damaging the slab during installation and ensures that it is fitted properly.
If you have an existing counter and are simply looking to change the top with marble, make sure the base is strong enough to support its weight.
3. Price
Marble is more expensive than other natural stones. However, since it is quarried all around the world, it’s possible to find relatively affordable marble countertops by browsing at various clearance sales.
Marble is a high-quality countertop material that you should definitely consider when starting a home improvement project. Its advantages outweigh its drawbacks, and with time and effort, the benefits make it well worth the investment. After all, who wouldn’t want to have a kitchen or bathroom that is appreciated by family, friends and guests? With a custom marble countertop in your kitchen or bathroom, you can create a bold and seamless design.