Marble Kitchen Countertops - Are They Any Good?
by adminMarble Kitchen Countertops - Are They Any Good?
By George Kerr
When we think of marble we tend to think of luxury largely due to the fact that it is so widely used in palaces and other important buildings. It is a beautiful stone which is can t fail to be impressive. However if you think that marble makes an ideal kitchen countertop, you may be surprised to learn that it actually quite porous and scratches easier than the likes of granite. Marble is not the cheapest of countertops to purchase so you really need to know what you are getting as you may find that you would prefer granite, quartz or some other material instead.
Caring for Marble
If you really have your heart set on marble then you will need to make sure that you look after it really well. Using a sealer is an absolute must, also be quick in wiping up any spills, particularly wine and fruit juice. Otherwise you can end up with permanent surface etching. Be careful with what you clean marble with as using abrasives and caustic cleaners will cause damage. Also never rub with oil or wax.
The most durable form of marble is one which is “honed”. This means that it hasn t been polished so has no shine and can be scrubbed using abrasives, beach and soap.
Alternatives to Real Marble
Cultured Marble is synthetic but looks like real marble. Some benefits include: much cheaper than real marble, does not need to be sealed, more resistant to scratches and can be easily resurfaced if damaged.
Quartz is made up of 90% quartz and 10% epoxy resin, is extremely durable, requires no sealing and comes in a variety of colors. One manufacturer of quartz, Silestone, has even introduced Microban which prevents to growth of bacteria and germs.
Granite is a natural stone and is considerably more durable than marble so will last for a good number of years. Although granite requires sealing, this is a simple process and shouldn t put you off. Granite is also about the same price as marble so you won t need to pay any extra.
If you are still unsure as to what type of countertop to buy then it is best to read as much as you can on each material as they all have their pros and cons. If you are an avid cook then there is more risk of you accidentally damaging your marble and because it is not a material which can be easily fixed I would suggest you have closer look at buying granite.
George Kerr has previously worked as a kitchen designer and is currently renovating his home. He has written many articles relating to kitchen countertops including marble and granite.
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