Choosing a Marble Kitchen Countertop

When choosing a marble kitchen countertop, you have two options: polished or honed. While honed marble is less prone to scratches, it is a more delicate stone, and therefore more easily stained. Polished counters are harder to stain and are less susceptible to scratching, but the resulting shine makes any scratches on a polished counter visible. To care for your new countertop, here are some maintenance tips.

Natural marble: While white marble has the advantage of being less likely to show scratches than dark marble, it does require extra care to keep it looking its best. You can choose to have a polished or honed finish to enhance the look. Whether you choose a honed or polished finish, your new kitchen countertop is sure to become a conversation piece for years to come. While white marble isn't as hard as other marbles, it is still quite expensive. Nonetheless, it's worth the price and the time spent to care for it.

Choosing a marble kitchen countertop is not as difficult as it sounds. Although marble is a high-quality material, it is prone to scratches. If you want to avoid this, you'll need a professional installer. Moreover, marble counters should be protected from heat, moisture, and stains. Also, remember that marble does not come in a prepackaged slab. If you plan to install a honed surface in your kitchen, it's best to hire a contractor.

Another downside to having a Marble kitchen countertop is its susceptibility to staining. This stone is highly porous, and any liquid spilled on it can seep into the pores, appearing as a stain. This will also make the surface appear cloudy and discolored. While it is possible to avoid stains by sealing the counter top, it's recommended to use a sealant or wax to protect the surface.

Another advantage to using marble for your kitchen countertop is its resistance to etching. It will be damaged by chemicals used to clean the surface of a marble kitchen countertop. While a marble kitchen countertop is a good investment, it will need regular maintenance to stay beautiful. You should consider hiring a professional to do this for you. If the damage isn't major, you can even hire a company to clean the marble countertops for you.

The most important thing to remember when choosing a marble kitchen countertop is the maintenance. Aside from being highly resistant to stains, marble countertops can also be subject to damage from acidic liquids. Depending on how much you use the surface, you might want to seal it every few weeks or so. Once sealed, marble countertops will last for a decade or more. To prevent staining, you must make sure to clean spills quickly.