Marble countertops are among the more expensive types of countertop you can buy, and you will often see them in luxury homes. If you are considering a marble countertop for your kitchen or bathroom, it pays to understand what you are getting into first.
Although granite and quartz lead the way in countertop popularity, there is always a spot reserved for marble. This natural stone has won admirers worldwide, and many homeowners still choose it for its look alone.
Like every type of countertop, a marble countertop has pros and cons. Understanding them will help you make the final decision. Here is what to consider before you buy.
Pros
Makes Kitchens and Bathrooms Beautiful
Perhaps the most obvious advantage of a marble countertop is how beautiful it looks in your home. Many marbles are light in color with a smooth texture, and their veining, often gray or gold, suits modern and luxury-style kitchens and bathrooms alike.
Marble comes in an assortment of colors including white, off-white, bluish-gray, and even pink. Whatever your home’s interior looks like, you can usually find a marble that fits it.
Adds Appeal When You Sell
This is one aspect of marble countertops that people tend to forget. Marble isn’t just a way to make your house look better or to give you a good prep surface. If you may move in the future, it is worth noting that a marble countertop can add to your home’s appeal to buyers.
Marble countertops are cut from large slabs of natural stone, which means that, as with other natural stones, no two are alike. That one-of-a-kind character is something buyers notice.
Marble is no longer limited to luxury homes; many modern homes have it too, and it is often highlighted in real estate listings. A countertop that has been well cared for will make the best impression.
Long-Lasting
Aside from being beautiful, marble is a long-lasting material. Countertops are sealed before or at installation, which helps the surface resist stains. Marble also tolerates heat well, although using trivets under hot pots and pans is still recommended.
Marble is softer than granite, so it can scratch and etch, but with sensible care marble kitchen and bathroom countertops are made to last and can serve for decades.
Flexible Edges and Shapes
Because marble is a relatively soft stone, it is easier to cut and shape than harder stones such as granite. That gives fabricators more freedom with curves and detailed profiles.
What is great about marble bathroom and kitchen countertops is that they can have the edge of your dreams. Decorative edges add a touch of elegance to a kitchen, and fabricators can produce them in marble without compromising quality.
Of course, marble countertops aren’t perfect. No type of countertop is. With the good points covered, let’s look at the drawbacks, as these will help you make a better decision.
Cons
Expensive
One of the most apparent drawbacks of a marble countertop is the price. Like other countertops, marble is priced by size, usually per square foot, and as a premium choice it sits toward the top of the price range.
Material cost varies widely with the type of marble, and fabrication and installation labor come on top of that. As a general rule, a marble countertop will cost more than a comparable granite one.
A marble countertop is a big investment. While it is durable and beautiful, it is in no way cheap, so make sure you have the budget for it before you commit. It is also worth comparing a few countertop providers.
It Can Be Hard to Find
One reason marble countertops are expensive is that the stone is relatively rare. Many of the best-known marbles, most notably the expensive ones, are quarried in select areas of Italy, and only a few are quarried in the United States. That can make it harder to find the exact marble you want.
In many cases, you will have to order a marble slab in advance. As much of the material comes from overseas, you may have to wait a while for your order to arrive. The wait is worth it if you are getting the countertop you really want in return.
Engineered marble countertops can be easier to find because they aren’t cut from solid stone. They are made with resin and other binding materials, which makes them more readily available and cheaper as well. They are made to look as close as possible to marble, though they are a different material.
Not a DIY Project
Another thing worth noting about marble is that it is very heavy. It takes care and equipment to move a countertop from the fabrication shop to your home, and it is not realistic to install one on your own. Aside from the weight, installing any stone countertop requires a lot of precision and know-how.
Marble slabs come in large sizes that fabricators have to cut down to fit your home. It takes an expert to make sure a marble countertop fits your kitchen properly, and the process includes checking that the cabinets are level, among other things. Without the right tools and experience, it is very difficult to do well.
Marble tile countertops are an alternative if you are looking to save money, and tiles are easier to handle yourself. Even so, the work still requires skill and precision, and it is better to let professionals handle the installation.
You may be wondering whether a marble countertop is worth it. Considering the price and the care involved, it is not surprising that some people prefer other countertop materials. Before you decide, talk to a designer or countertop professional who can give you a better idea of whether marble suits your home and the way you use your kitchen. With these pros and cons in mind, you can make a better-informed decision.