Marble countertops have been popular for a while, and they still have some serious cachet. But lately, other countertop materials have been stealing the spotlight. Among the many options now available, granite and engineered quartz have been popping up in tons of kitchens nationwide.
So, if you're planning to remodel, should you still consider marble countertops for your kitchen? We spoke to an interior designer with more than a decade of experience to help you decide. Here’s a quick primer on the pros and cons of marble countertops.
Amy Sklar is the founder and principal designer of Amy Sklar Design and an NCIDQ-licensed interior designer.
Pros of Marble Countertops
Installing marble countertops in your kitchen or bathroom has several advantages. Interior designer Amy Sklar has used marble in their home and helped clients choose countertop surfaces when remaking their spaces. Here's why they think it's worth it.
Improves Your Home's Value
People love real stone countertops. When compared to other materials like laminate or porcelain, marble will add more resale value to your home. “It’s a status material and can help increase your home’s value. While it’s more expensive to install, it can be worth it,” says Sklar. Plus, marble countertops are a timeless look that won't go out of style anytime soon.
Useful for Baking
Bakers, listen up! From a practical standpoint, a marble surface can come in handy when you’re cooking or baking because it’s naturally cool to the touch. “That’s why you’ll see a lot of old-school French bakeries that have marble counters. It helps keep the butter in the dough cool," Sklar says.
Comes In a Variety of Colors and Finishes
A bright, white, polished marble finish is stunning, but it's not the only finish available. You can choose your countertop in a range of gray, green, brown, and taupe shades.
"Honed marble is ground down and isn’t polished, so it has a matte texture that feels more organic," explains Sklar. It’s less forgiving and can stain more easily, but you also don’t have to worry about etching from acids. So you have to pick the finish that you feel would work best for your needs.
Has a Long Lifespan
Marble can last up to 100 years. As long as you maintain it well (which often includes applying sealants), it will last you the length of the time you live in your home. And since it has a classic and elegant look, chances are you won't tire of it!
Luxurious Appearance
One of the major reasons homeowners choose to install marble countertops is their upscale appearance. They can add richness and style to a room, and the veined design is easily recognized. White marble is a particularly popular choice because of its uniqueness—no other natural stones have the same bright white color. And although marble is stylish, it also is a timeless kitchen trend.
Cons of Marble Countertops
With any natural stone, you may face challenges that you wouldn't have with an engineered material. Although marble comes with benefits, there are some downsides to choosing it for your countertop.
Heavy and Cumbersome
While marble is a good option for countertops, it is also one of the heavier stones available. Installation is best left to the pros to avoid damaging the marble and to ensure that the pieces are expertly fit. The weight of marble also means that it requires a sturdy base, so for changeouts, it's imperative to ensure the cabinets can handle the heft.
More Expensive Than Other Stones
Quartz, granite, and marble are often in the running when homeowners decide to redo their countertops. Although marble has many advantages, it is the most expensive of the three options in price per square foot. The average cost of granite countertops is $75 per square foot, whereas marble usually runs upwards of $100 per square foot and can cost as much as $200 per square foot. When researching, it's important to get an accurate price estimate before committing to marble.
Stains and Scratches Easily
Marble is a natural stone, which means that it can easily absorb drips, spills, and pigment from food if anything sits too long on the surface. It also doesn’t hold up well to heat, so hot pots or pans should never be placed directly on marble. Time and wear can also cause it to etch, which is just a dulling of the finish.
Unlike a quartz or butcher block countertop, you can't slice vegetables directly on marble due to its softness. Compared to granite, marble scratches more easily. Rather, you need to invest in some solid cutting boards to protect the counters from scratching. For the same reason, it's best to avoid scouring cleansers (like Soft Scrub) or abrasive sponges when cleaning marble.
Develops a Patina Over Time
This point can be considered a pro or a con. There’s a reason a vintage marble-topped table looks like it’s seen a thing or two—it’s because it has. “Marble is a living finish, so it’s always going to change with age,” says Sklar. “The color darkens slightly, and any spills or etching starts to look more purposeful and uniform instead of accidental. It has personality. It’s really joyful. It feels organic and used and loved; it develops a history that makes it more interesting.” However, if patina isn't your thing, you may want to opt for a surface that will look pristine for years and years, like engineered quartz.
High-Maintenance to Clean
For some of the reasons already stated, cleaning marble can be tricky. Rather than reaching for any household cleaner, you have to check to make sure your product doesn't contain ingredients that might degrade the marble. “A general rule of thumb is that acid is the enemy, so bleach, lemon-based cleaners, and vinegar can all etch the marble," says Sklar.
So if you’re dealing with a stubborn stain, reach out to your manufacturer to see what they recommend. There might be some at-home remedies to try to remove them, but learn what you can't use before forging ahead.
On the bright side, for daily maintenance, you don’t need any special products—just a damp microfiber cloth, some dish soap, and hot water. "While there are all sorts of special marble cleaners on the market, you don’t need them," Sklar says. "Who needs one more cleaner in the house?”
How to Clean Every Type of Countertop: Marble, Quartz, Butcher Block, and More
