What's The Best Type of Marble Kitchen Countertop

QUESTION:

I have seen the Venatino, Giola, and standard Carrara marble, honed slabs. Is one marble slab color better than the others for kitchen countertops?


Are there differences in the porosity of Carrara marble?

And what about a satin finish instead of honed for kitchen counters?

I have also heard of 15-year sealers or are they impregnators? Thanks for your help.

ANSWER:

No.... there's no significant difference in staining, scratching, etching, or performance between different marble colors or names (with a couple exceptions below).

Marble is marble meaning that every marble slab regardless of color or pattern or name will have similar characteristics with a few exceptions in the brown, black, and green marbles.

All marble slabs are relatively soft, so they will scratch much more easily than granite, which can be an issue for a kitchen countertop, but not a biggie.

Marble including Carrara marble is actually rather dense and does not stain easily, but every marble countertop slab has a different rate of absorption or porosity.

Determine the porosity of a particular marble slab by performing the water test for sealing on a sample taken off the slab.

Often Carrera marble does not need sealing since it can be very dense. This is especially true of polished marble since the process to polish marble closes down pores and makes the surface even less absorbent.

But if porous enough to take a sealer, then applying an impregnating sealer will control and minimize staining, so stains are rarely a major issue.

Durable, 15-year sealers are available, however, the only retail sealer of this sort is Stain-Proof Permanent Marble & Granite Sealer, which forms permanent bonds and comes in a DIY kit with complete instructions.

Sealing is not hard, but the couple of other long-term sealers are only available on "pre-sealed" granite or by professional application. Both are way more expensive than Stain-Proof for the same results, so we recommend using the DIY sealer.

The main problem with marble countertops in the kitchen is etching.

You'll often read or hear that "marble stains easy". NO... it etches easily, which many confuse with a stain, but it is a completely different issue.

Most marbles are consistent in this regard. Meaning all marbles will etch, however, a difference in sensitivity does exist and some green marbles (actually serpentine sold as marble) may not etch easily.

But the catch is that etching on green marble is harder to repair as green marble is much harder than a standard marble. It is more like granite so etch repair usually requires professional repolishing vs. using one of our DIY kits.

You cannot prevent etching by sealing.

Sealing controls stains, not etching. You must simply avoid contact with acidic foods, drinks (impossible in a kitchen), and harsh cleaners.

DIY etch repair is easy using one of our Etch Remover Marble Polishing Kits.

The best kit for you depends on the surface finish type and the size or number of etch marks.

A satin finish won't make a difference. It will still etch, but like a honed finish etching just isn't as noticeable as on a shiny polished finish.

As long as you learn the do's & don'ts of cleaning marble and about marble repair issues with marble countertops in the kitchen and still want them, a honed or otherwise non-polished surface is recommended.

Again, not because a honed or satin countertop finish doesn't etch, but just that you don't notice many of the minor etch marks.

Eventually, you will see etch marks on any marble kitchen countertop. But again, easy to repair even on a polished finish.

And it's key to use only products safe for cleaning marble to avoid damage and extra wear.

So, the short answer is... no... one color or variety of marble or Carrara marble is not really any better or worse for a kitchen countertop.

The surface finish can make a small difference, but if you don't like the idea of constant marble maintenance to keep the surface looking new, then go with granite.

If you don't care about the extra work or letting marble "age" naturally, then no worries... marble countertops are very durable and functional.

Here's some more on marble polishing and etching.

White Carrara Marble vs. Crema Marfil Kitchen Countertop

by jamie
(U.S.)

QUESTION:

We are considering marble for our kitchen perimeter counters. We are interested in a honed white carrara or a brushed crema marfil. Do you know if one would be better than the other? I see more of the carrara in kitchens.

ANSWER:

Both stones are calcite based, so both will etch upon contact with acidic food and drinks, which is why marble countertops are not recommended for a kitchen.

You may see the Carrara used in kitchens, but only because it looks great in magazines and not because it is a good choice. Interior designers are even more ignorant about marble maintenance than stone sales people.

True, marble has been used for centuries as a kitchen countertop and they are great IF you don't mind that the color and look will change with use and age and will not remain looking new without considerably more maintenance than a granite countertop.

I suggest you read the many answers (scroll to bottom) to similar questions regarding this issue. People love marble, it's beautiful, but just not a good choice for a kitchen countertop. Everywhere else in the house is fine.

But neither carrara nor crema marfil has a significant advantage over the other.

Vermont Marble Kitchen Island

QUESTION:

I am considering using marble from Vermont on my kitchen island. The island will have an induction cooktop. Can you tell me how use of this marble compares to the use of Italian marble? Vermont marble seems grainier so I'm wondering if it is as durable. Thank you.

ANSWER:

"Marble" is a geological classification denoting stone with essentially the same properties and characteristics.

So, no matter where it is quarried... Vermont or Italy... marble is marble. Different marble slab colors can have a differences, but like people when you get down to it there are far more similarities than differences.

So, any marble will more or less have the same qualities with a few exceptions with some green stones sold as "marble", but are not technically marble (serpentine).

Regarding durability... any marble will last longer than you or your house will, but the look of it can be affected depending on how it is used and the quality of marble cleaning & maintenance.

Compared to granite marble is softer and much easier to scratch.

And as stated above staining is not much a problem, but etching can be.

Marble is made of calcite crystals, which are reactive with acidic foods and drinks (coffee, juice, wine, salad dressing, much more) and with too akaline products like nearly every common and name-brand household cleaner.

So, just FYI... you need to use only products safe for cleaning marble & marble maintenance.

On polished marble etching can be repaired using SCP: Marble Polishing Paste.

Kitchen countertops receive too much use and abuse and exposure to acids to be able to prevent etching. And sealing is only for staining and does nothing to stop etching.

So, marble as a kitchen countertop or island is not recommended. Not because marble is not durable, but simply because most people these days want the marble to remain in like-new condition and that just won't happen in the kitchen without a lot of constant marble maintenance.

Now, some green "marble" (it's actually serpentine, but sold as marble because can look similar) has less calcite and is not as prone to etching.

You can perform the lemon juice test on samples of stone you are interested in to see how reactive and easily etched they are.

Any true marble will etch, but this test is useful if you are interested in a serpentine to check and see how reactive it is. Some are not at all.

Polished vs Honed Marble Countertops

QUESTION:

I am trying to decide about installing a Carrara marble kitchen countertop and the type of finish.

I have been told that a honed marble countertop will be more practical to look after and avoid etching than a polished finish. True?

Is a honed marble more durable?

ANSWER:

No. A honed marble countertop is not more durable than a polished finish. Both types will still scratch, etch, and stain. However, a honed finish will hide scratches and etches better, but is less stain-resistant than a polished finish. Tradeoffs.

So, a honed finish is not better or easier to maintain it just requires slightly different care and/or repair.

Here's the deal...

All marble is made primarily of calcium carbonate (or calcite) which is reactive with food acids and many cleaning products that cause dull spots from etching.

Etch marks are more noticeable on a polished finish because a dull spot stands out on a shiny surface.

Dull spots from etching aren't as visible on a honed marble because it is a matte finish that is already a bit "dull".

Etching still occurs on a honed finish vs polished marble and in exactly the same way. A honed finish does not make the marble more resistant to etching.

But a polished finish IS more resistant to staining. Polishing marble to a shine closes down the pores so it is even less absorbent and, thus, less likely to stain.

Stains and etch marks are two different types of spots.

Etching is corrosive physical damage to the surface like a scratch. It's a chemical burn.

It's always dull and lighter in color or even sort of clear.

A stain is a dark spot where a substance has absorbed into the marble.

So... all marble slabs or colors will etch upon contact with acidic substances regardless of finish type. You won't "avoid" it on a kitchen countertop.

But some marble colors and finishes will hide the etching better, so it theoretically reduces the maintenance needed to keep the marble countertops looking their best.

Exceptions To Standard Marble

Now, it's a natural product so etching can occur more quickly on some types of marble vs others but the difference is negligible.

For instance, Dark Emperador marble is dolomitic marble. It is a bit harder than your standard marble. It tends to etch more slowly and less severely.

That may sound like a good thing, although, dull and chalky etch marks are extremely visible against the brown color.

And because it is harder repairing or removing etch marks requires a bit more effort.

Serpentine

Then there is serpentine. Serpentine is a different type of marble. That's because it is not marble!

Serpentine is a green stone that looks like marble and is usually sold as marble but is not - geologically speaking - marble.

It is hard like granite and true serpentine is not reactive to acids and will not etch. It is very scratch and stain-resistant as well.

So, a green marble kitchen countertop is more durable requiring less maintenance than other marble colors.

But again... it must be "serpentine" which is not geologically marble. True marble that is green does exist so you have to perform the acid test on any green "marble" to determine if it is serpentine or not.

Again, serpentine is not reactive to acid and will not etch which is better for a kitchen countertop.

But green marble (or serpentine) looks nothing like white Carrara marble and is not nearly as popular.

Just providing a broad background and understanding for comparing types of marble, finishes, and how that affects performance and maintenance.

Now that you know... the real question you should be asking yourself is if it's a wise decision to install any marble countertops in the kitchen.

I know marble is gorgeous and you are only one in a long line of visitors wanting Carrara marble kitchen countertops with the same basic question.

There is nothing preventing you from installing marble kitchen countertops. But nothing will prevent you from repeatedly etching them for as long as you own the tops.

There are just too many acidic foods and drinks to keep from etching marble kitchen countertops.

So, if you like a lot of extra maintenance and the frustration of unsightly etch marks, then go for it.

Yes, you can hone marble to make etching less noticeable, but it still occurs. This is a point of confusion among many marble slab salespeople and consumers.

Many believe that "honing" the marble slab somehow "prevents" etching. Not true as explained above.

Luckily, etching can be repaired with DIY products on both honed and polished finishes.

To repair etching on a polished finish use Etch Remover / Marble Polishing Powder designed just for this purpose.

For honed finish etch repair use the Etch Remover Marble Polishing Pads - Drill Kit.

Actually, the "Drill Kit" will allow you to remove scratches and etch marks and restore the surface to either a honed or polished finish.

So, marble kitchen countertops are definitely more delicate and require more maintenance, but it's all DIY stuff you can do if willing.

And when comparing Carrara marble to other types of marble or finishes, there really is not an appreciable difference in performance.

Just consider, with so many beautiful and low-maintenance granites available, installing a marble countertop doesn't seem as attractive even though they look so attractive!. Many who do so regret it.

Why Not Marble Kitchen Countertops

QUESTION:

I am obsessed with Carrara marble (or similar) for my new kitchen counter tops.

I am being discouraged from using them due to the other options - granite and man-made surfaces - that hold up better in comparison.

However, my house is circa 1900s cottage and the marble fits this period and I prefer its looks.

Since being (temporarily) talked into another material for my kitchen counters, I have seen Carrara-type marble in use in commercial settings (kitchens, bars, eating counters, etc) and other high-use food and traffic areas.

I now feel even more justified in my opinion and preference of a Carrara marble surface for my new kitchen counters.

These counters will be in a second home with a relatively low-use kitchen except for the occasional weekend renter or potential long-termer.

The question remains: Shall I be scared away from using marble because it is truly a poor choice or does it only pale in comparison to more "modern" surfaces like granite or the Caesarstone, siltstones, Zodiacs of the world?

After all, marble has been used and lasted for centuries...right?

ANSWER:

You're right marble has been used forever as a kitchen countertop. It's very durable and Carrara marble is stunning, everyone loves it.

I get this same question about marble kitchen countertops (almost always about Carrara) with your same passion nearly once a week.

So you will see it in restaurants, design magazines, etc. But these people are just as naive and uninformed as most people about using marble in the kitchen. They love the look and only after installation realize what a pain cleaning marble is in the kitchen.

So, why not marble kitchen countertops?

It has nothing to do with the performance of marble vs. other surfaces. It's all about maintenance.

Granite and quartz countertops will require far less maintenance and will maintain their "like new" look easily and forever.

Not so with marble.

Understand, marble has been used as a kitchen countertop for centuries because it is readily available, easy to fabricate, and very durable.

But until recently no one polished it and no one expected it to look brand new forever. They simply used it. It was all about function.

They didn't worry about how it looked. And over time that use shows up in the marble as stains and etch marks, which create a natural patina... that rustic Italian villa look.

In the US, the sentiment is completely opposite.

We want the marble for a showpiece that we also cut tomatoes on. We expect this expensive showpiece to maintain a pristine "like new" look effortlessly and forever.

Not going to happen with marble. That's what you have to swallow and that's why marble is typically not recommended for the kitchen. It requires near-constant attention.

Most people quickly realize that marble will etch (dull spots caused by corrosion) in seconds upon contact with any one of hundreds of acidic foods and drinks.

Staining can happen but is not much an issue, especially with polished marble.

People confuse staining with etching, which does occur easily. It really isn't that absorbent and often doesn't even need to be sealed when polished.

It is simply impossible to avoid or prevent etching marble in the kitchen. And once etched, the etched area is much more susceptible to stains and often you get a stain and etch mark in the same spot.

But you can remove stains and etching rather easily with the DIY products mentioned in this article.

You could have the marble honed, which makes etch marks more difficult to see, but they still show up.

You'd most likely need to seal a honed marble kitchen countertop to guard against staining since honed marble is a bit more absorbent than polished.

To repair etching on honed marble you can use the Etch Remover Marble Polishing - Drill Kit or follow the DIY method as described in Removing Etch Marks Manual or have the surface professionally re-honed which is much more expensive!

Or you could go real old school and have the marble rough honed, don't seal it, and use straight vinegar to clean it.

Really? That sounds easy and cheap! Yeah? ... keep reading...

Vinegar is highly acidic and will etch (eat away and destroy the surface) of your marble each and every time you use it.

But since you are doing the whole countertop, individual etch marks simply don't show up... because the whole countertop is etched.

Now if you did this the marble would be much more prone to staining since you are constantly destroying the surface and exposing the marble pores as much as possible.

Sealing won't help, because as the vinegar eats away the marble the sealer goes with it as will stains, but do you see how this method would also require near-constant marble maintenance?

This is what happens in restaurants and bars, but they pay people to do these things.

And do you see why you should not use vinegar to clean marble?

It will keep the surface looking relatively uniform, but it's eating away your marble and it still won't look "new".

So, unless you are willing and in fact want to let your marble age naturally with use and simply not worry about any etching or stains or any maintenance, marble kitchen countertops just aren't practical.

They become a hassle, especially when compared to granite and quartz, which are a breeze to take care of.

And installing marble kitchen countertops in a rental where it's guaranteed to receive far less attentive care makes even less sense.

So, bottom line is that the common recommendation is simply "trust me, don't do it" for the above reasons.

I can tell you that THE most common question I get is about how to remove etch marks on kitchen countertops from people who were never warned. They are all frustrated.

But now that you understand what you are in for and if you still want to install marble kitchen countertops, then go ahead.

However, I'd say you'll regret it (unless you take the no-worry approach) and I'd suggest you install the Carrara marble in a bathroom where it will still provide the "wow" factor but will require far less effort and marble maintenance.