When it comes to selecting kitchen countertops, marble remains the top choice for many homeowners. It’s no surprise that marble countertops and backsplashes are so popular—the material has been attracting fans for millennia. In addition, marble is an attractive and popular option for bathroom countertops. It’s also a durable material that will last you many years to come, making it worth the investment.
“Marble is a natural material with great variety, depending on which species you select and how it’s cut,” says Russell Groves, the principal architect behind Groves & Co. “It creates a really lovely natural pattern, which you don’t get with a lot of artificial materials.”
Among marble options, white marble takes the cake. “You won’t find anything as white in nature as white marble,” adds Evan Nussbaum, a vice president at Stone Source in New York. “You just don’t get that colour and kind of figuring in any other type of natural stone.”
But marble is not a perfect product. While good-quality marbles, such as the world-famous products from Carrara, Italy, are dense and relatively non-porous—which makes them durable and stain-resistant—they also have weaknesses. A non-foliated metamorphic rock, marble is generally composed of calcium carbonate (the same ingredient used in antacids such as Tums) or magnesium carbonate, which react to acids. As a result, an acidic kitchen liquid like lemon juice or vinegar can etch marble, leaving a dull, whitish mark where it has slightly eaten away the surface, even after the marble has been sealed.
But as long as you choose carefully, know what to expect, and care for white marble countertops, they can be a beautiful, functional choice for your kitchen design that lasts a lifetime.
Marble is a natural stone that has been used for centuries in various architectural designs. It is popular because it comes in so many different shapes, colours, and textures. In addition, marble is one of the few stones that come with no imperfections and can be cut to any size or shape needed. With all these unique benefits, marble can’t go wrong as an option for your kitchen or bathroom countertop!
Marble counters are said to be the epitome of luxury and elegance. Despite its durability and difficulty in maintaining a pristine white surface, marble remains popular with modern homeowners.
The first thing you need to do is determine the size of your bathroom. If it’s small, choosing marble for the counters may not be ideal as they are heavier and more expensive than other stone materials. However, a stone such as granite or quartz will work well if you have a smaller space. You also want to make sure that any colour tones in your tile work with colours found in the stone so that everything blends together nicely without being too mismatched.
Marble countertops can bring timeless beauty to any bathroom, which is why they continue to be one of the most popular options for bathroom remodels year after year. Yet, is marble the best option for countertops in a bathroom? Just because marble is a popular option, does this mean that they are the right option for your bathroom renovation? To help you decide whether or not marble countertops are the right option for you, here is a look at a few of the pros and cons of choosing marble bathroom countertops.
One of the coolest things about marble is that it comes in a wider range of colours than most people think. White marble is the most common colour, but it can be very black, pink, green, grey, or even blue. In addition to its natural colours, marble can also be dyed any colour desired. This makes it a suitable choice for many places in the home and complements most kinds of décor.
Marble is a material that can come in various grains and veining patterns, giving each type its distinct look. It may not always be obvious, but the marble has subtle differences that can major impact the overall look of a room. For example, selecting marble countertops for your kitchen can make or break the design.
When you ask a countertop contractor about the wisdom of installing marble countertops, the typical answer is, “it depends on where you’re going to use them.” The consensus is that marble makes a good surface for bathrooms, offices, fireplace surrounds and other locations that don’t get heavy use. However, they are not recommended for the kitchen.
Marble Countertops offer Spectacular Beauty
The reason marble remains in heavy demand for countertops is its elegant good looks. This igneous stone comes in a wonderful display of colour. Your choice of hues includes solid white, solid black and a range of various colours in the rose, yellow, grey, green, white and black spectrums. No two slabs are alike, so you’ll be assured of having a unique countertop for your home.
Marble Counters can Take the Heat
Marble is heat resistant. In the kitchen, it stands up well to hot pans and pots. A styling tool won’t mar it in the bathroom unless left on it hot for some time. It’s become popular for fireplace surrounds because it won’t yellow due to the heat and can withstand the occasional spark on its surface.
Is Marble Is A Good Material For Bathroom Vanity Countertops?
Yes, for a bathroom, marble countertops are fine. You still need to learn how to clean marble properly (which is not hard), and once you do, you’ll find it’s no big deal, and you’ll have very few if any issues.
If you are careless and neglectful, you’ll have some problems with marble bathroom countertops or, say, if young kids primarily use them.
But marble is not very absorbent and does not stain easy like you may have read. And polished marble is nearly stain-proof. So, stains are not common.
The most common marble cleaning problem is an etching, which can be easily prevented in the bathroom (unlike the kitchen, where it is impossible to prevent).
You’ll find comprehensive details, including everything you need to know about sealing marble, protecting, cleaning marble and DIY solutions for any problem you may encounter.
For example, we have a beautiful piece of Carrara marble in our pool/guest bath that gets a lot of use during parties and from numerous guests (all with different habits, etc.), and we’ve had one etch mark in 7 years, which easily removed in about 30 seconds using Etch Remover Marble Polishing Paste.
A marble countertop in the bathroom simply does not get the use and abuse and isn’t constantly exposed to acids like in the kitchen, so really, a marble vanity top is pretty easy to care for.
Types of Marble
Carrara
Carrara marble is one of the most popular types of stone for kitchens, bathrooms, and other areas. It mainly comes from Carrara in Italy, although not all marble slabs are sourced locally.
Carrara marble is not always white, and it also comes in a blue-grey or grey colour. For kitchens and bathrooms, Carrara marble is ideal. It has a natural finish in white or a range of tints to give it a nice contrast against the other colours found there and make it less slippery when wet. Different slabs of Carrara marble can display feathers and drama, giving each slab its unique personality. Since no two slabs of marble are alike, most people like stark white Carrara for its refined look.
Statuary
Statuary marble is a beautiful, natural marble. Like Carrara marble, it is non-porous and maintenance-free. It also has an unfinished surface sealed with sealants to make the finish more lustrous and resistant to stains or scratches. It’s also a white marble, but semi-translucent layers make the light grey veins stand out.
This marble is denser than Carrara marble, but it is not as heavy because of the transparency. Statuary Marble’s natural beauty and texture make it perfect for any home. It can be cut into slabs to add a touch of elegance to your kitchen countertop, bathroom vanity top, or island backsplash.
Calacatta
Another white marble is Calacatta. It is rare and expensive. People might confuse it with Carrara, which is cheaper and more available.
Calacatta marble is also made in Italy and can be found mostly in the Apuan Mountains, mostly coming out white with grey veins. However, Calacatta marble is distinguishable from other white marbles because it has a bright white background and thick dark grey and gold veins.
This beautiful rock is made of compacted natural materials and has different colours, textures, and veining patterns within it. With its gold streaks or veins, white marble intensifies the beauty of the stone. Depending on the colour or texture you use it with, it can impart a cool or warm look. Because of the natural unpredictability of marble, it is a highly sought-after item for designers and homeowners with an eye for luxury.
Nero Marquina Marble
It’s understandable if you are sceptical that black marble is real marble. Marble is a metamorphosed limestone, which comes in mostly white colours. Though it is sometimes considered a myth, there are true black marble slabs. The most common name for them is Nero Marquina or Marmol Negro. This marble gets its name from the Basque country in Spain, where it is quarried.
Nero Marquina is an inky black stone with pure white veining. Depending on the slab, white veins can move from a subtle accent to an overpowering design feature. It is much sought after because it has an elegant appearance when polished to reveal its distinctive and attractive grains.
Nero Marquina marble is a versatile and beautiful stone, perfect for contemporary kitchens and bathrooms. One of the benefits is that it’s easy to find in certain parts of the country, so you won’t have to pay very much for a good-sized slab.
Crema Marfil Marble
One of Spain’s bright marble variations, the Crema Marfil, is a coloured marble that ranges from uniform light beige to an irregular yellow background with vein patterns. The natural colour of marble complements dark-coloured cabinets and other rocks, making it an ideal stone for countertops in kitchens and bathrooms.
Though Crema Marfil marble is the most popular, it can be used in various ways inside the home. For example, Crema Marfil can be utilized for flooring, fireplace surrounds, and wall cladding.
Pros and Cons of Marble Bathroom Countertops
Pro: Durability
One of the primary reasons marble countertops are so popular in kitchens and bathrooms is their durability. Marble is much more durable than synthetic materials, and they are not likely to burn when exposed to heat (such as from a curling iron or hair straightener). Marble countertops are also extremely strong, and they are much harder to damage or crack than tile.
Con: They Can be Prone to Staining and Etching
While marble countertops are durable, they are not impervious to damage, and you will need to be careful if you end up choosing marble for your bathroom, as this material can be prone to staining and etching. Since marble is a softer and more porous stone than granite, it can have a tendency to be absorbent, which can cause stains; particularly when exposed to dyes from certain hair products. Marble is also susceptible to being damaged by acidic substances such as lemon juice and certain cleaning products, which can cause etching if you are not careful.
Pro: Appearance
The main reason that marble has been a preferred building material for centuries is due to its timeless and elegant beauty. Marble’s unique colours and patterns stand out and can help any room shine, truly transforming any space in which marble is used. It is rare to find anyone who is not drawn to the beauty of marble.
Con: Maintenance
While marble countertops are beautiful, they may also require more maintenance than some countertops. As was previously mentioned, you have to be careful when you have marble countertops, as the wrong hair products or countertop cleaners could cause staining and etching. Additionally, to maintain their beauty for decades, marble countertops need to be resealed every year or two. Therefore, while marble countertops are not the most maintenance-heavy option, it is important to consider maintenance requirements when deciding if marble countertops are right for you.
Concerns About Marble
There are two primary reasons that marble countertop installation is not recommended for the kitchen. These concerns are severe enough that some marble countertop manufacturers won’t warranty their counters installed in the kitchen.
The first concern is the porous nature of marble. It’s more porous than granite, so it more readily absorbs liquids. Unfortunately, that means that oil, wine, juice and other spills penetrate deeper into the stone very quickly, and they are hard, if not impossible, to get out. So even in the bathroom, be cautious with things like nail polish, liquid makeup or remover that can stain the tops. Unfortunately, marble’s natural beauty often leaves people undeterred by this eventuality. Still, fortunately, some sealers are commercially available for the do-it-yourselfer, as well as professionals who can help.
Marble can and should be sealed when installed and again every few years. However, if it is not done properly or often enough, staining is a “not if, but when” proposition. While no products available on the market today offer a panacea, if you do accidentally stain or scratch your marble countertops, you do have some options.
The second reason to be concerned about marble kitchen counters is that the material isn’t sturdy enough for the kitchen. Sharp knives can scratch the surface. Heavy pots or mugs may chip the marble or even break off a corner.
These are the primary reasons some manufacturers won’t warranty marble countertops if used in kitchens, and many countertop installers won’t install them. As a result, homeowners have too many complaints when their marble kitchen countertops stain, scratch, chip or crack.
Conclusion
Marble countertops are a great idea if you want to elevate the kitchen or bathroom’s look to elegance. The wide variety of colours and vein patterns make it versatile, and these relatively common options make it quite affordable. If you want to know the options already available to you, visit the showroom of a reputable natural stone countertop provider in your area.
Ultimately, many homeowners find that marble countertops are worth the work due to the lasting beauty that they bring to any space; however, what countertops will be best for your home will depend on your individual needs.
Marble countertops can help you create a sleek and modern look in the kitchen or bathroom. Whether you’re looking to liven up your space with marble, update an older home, or want something more durable than granite for everyday use, these counters may be exactly what you need. This is because of the wide variety of colours and vein patterns, making marble highly versatile when considering colour or texture for construction. Marble is also common enough that it’s affordable in comparison to other stones. If you want to explore all of the available marble options, visit a natural stone provider in your area.
If you love the look of marble – and it is beautiful – consider installing marble counters in locations other than the kitchen. They offer beauty and good longevity when they are treated with the care they require.