The document discusses several myths and facts related to using marble, including that with proper sealing many marbles can be stain resistant, harder marbles can be etch resistant in kitchens, and marble is available in a wide price range. It provides additional details on selecting marble varieties with low absorption rates to minimize staining, maintaining marble through sealing and cleaning, and examples of marble being suitable for use in bakeries, pizza shops, and Martha Stewart's preferred choice for kitchen countertops.
1. Myth:
“Marble is prone to
staining”
Fact:
With proper
sealing, many varieties
of marble can be fairly
stain resistant. A sealer
acts as an insurance
policy, affording a
window of opportunity
to perform stain clean
up.
2. Myth:
“All marble will etch when
used in a kitchen
environment”
Fact:
Some harder marbles are
fairly etch resistant and the
use of non-reflective honed
surfaces and proactive
maintenance practices can
mitigate the appearance of
any etching that does occur
3. Myth:
“Marble is way too
expensive”
Fact:
With modern production
techniques and a wide
variety of quarries located
throughout the world,
marbles can meet a wide
range of budgets, and in
some cases, may be more
cost effective than
competing products.
4. Bianco Carrara marble
has long been used in
Salumerias, Pizzerias
and bakeries in Italy,
as well as all
throughout Europe.
The natural cool
temperature of marble
helps to keep dough
cool while rolling, thus
it’s choice for use in
many bakeries.
5. …Generally speaking, the
lower the absorption rate, the
lower the risk of stains. Some
marbles like Vermont’s Danby
White (absorption
rate .06%), have an extremely
low absorption rate. This is
lower than many of the most
popular granites currently
used in the market today…
6. Question:
What’s Your Favorite Material for
Kitchen Countertops?
Martha Stewart:
“I really like honed marble. In fact, I
have it in three of my kitchens. The
stone I like the most is from Vermont.
A white statuary marble with subtle
veins of gray and tan…”
7. > Functionality:
Lasts a lifetime
> Look: Evolves,
adding depth and
richness
> Honed surfaces
less likely to show
marks from scratching
or
etching
8. > Most water based stone sealers
work well
> Sealing marble is as easy as
applying “polish” to a piece of
furniture
> Follow the manufacturer’s
recommendation for your preferred
sealing and maintenance program.
The top sealing companies offer
great resources for proper use and
application.
> Choose food safe sealer
9. > If you do stain your
marble, there are a number of
poultice solutions that can be
applied to draw virtually any stain
out
> Professional refinishing company
can assist with difficult to remove
stains
> Understanding the material you
have chosen, how to maintain
it, what to expect from it will bring
years of satisfaction
> Use of pH neutral stone cleaners
> It’s all about setting the proper
consumer expectation. Marble is
not for everyone!
10. Marble Kitchen Countertops
> Select the right surface for the look
you will want to develop (Honed vs.
Polished)
> Wipe up spills immediately
(especially alcohol and citrus juices)
> Don't place hot, wet or abrasive
objects on the surface
> Employ use of trivets and mats
> Clean with pH neutral stone cleaner
Editor's Notes
Reality is that all natural stone can stain, however, proper sealing and maintenance can prevent issues. Regardless, the great thing about natural stone is that what goes in can come out. Stains can be removed with the use of a poultice. Any undesirable dulling or scratches can always be refinished to look brand new. The maintenance program will always depend on the owner’s level of tolerance.
White marble from Italy is among the hardest marbles. However, the myth is that it is the stone that is etch, but it is actually the finish. Polished marbles tend to be most popular and a polished finish will etch much easier than a honed finish. A hone is already dull and will show much less wear than a polish.
Typically the labor costs to fabricate and install are relatively the same regardless of the material. It may vary slightly because of handling or thickness or size, but not much. Usually the overall material cost is much less than the labor so small variations in the square foot price of the slab will not effect the total cost of the counters. In addition, there are many granites, onyx and other products that are much more expensive than any marble. It is true that some of the Calacata selections from Italy and even Vermont can get expensive, but a marble slab is also typically smaller than granite slabs so total cost can often times be less even if the square foot price is higher.
Absorption – This is what needs to be considered and studied closely when considering what makes a good countertop material. This is where all stones, granite, marble, limestone, travertine, can vary greatly. It is also the first physical quality that should be considered when designing and choosing a countertop material. Here is an article from Stone Dimensions Magazine that speaks to this need for low absorption rates and the impact it has on a countertop’s appearance over time. In this case, it mentions our Danby Marble’s absorption rate of 0.06%, which is lower than many granites.
Honed vs. Polished: So now you have gotten to the point where you have read up on and studied different marble options, discussed with your fabricator and homeowner and have actually chosen a specific marble. Now do you want honed or polished? (Explain the process of honing vs. polishing)This is where there is a difference between granite and marble. As mentioned earlier, granite, for the most part, will hold a polish better than most marbles. I compare it to wanting a black car vs. a white car. Black cars can look fantastic washed and waxed vs white cars which do not highlight a dramatic difference when just cleaned. Consider the black car polished granite and the white car honed marble. Both work, accomplish what they are intended to accomplish but both have distinctively different looks. It is a matter of taste but you don’t rule out the white because the black looks better when washed. Just as you don’t rule out the black car because it shows dirt much easier than the white car. Care and maintenance, just like with cars, holds true for stone. Marble can etch if not properly cared for but the care is minimal. At Vermont Quarries 99% of all the marble slabs we sell for kitchens are honed. The main reasons are that honed lends itself better over time, scratches can be fixed in place or eventually fade back into the material. What happens is you start to get that unique patina finish that so many people seek.
With simple care and maintenance, (no more than a piece of wood furniture), marble will maintain a newer, freshly installed appearance. But if you want the material to develop a character about it, you can have that as well. You can see on that candy shop marble slab the use and time it has served. Typical wear and tear that help make a marble countertop a unique part of your home. It really is up to the homeowner how they want their marble to look. This is the flexibility that marble creates and allows.Care & Maintenance:To properly care for a marble countertop, it is quite simple and efficient. Most water based marble impregnators work great. These can be purchased through a number of businesses from the stone distributor, fabricator or Home Depot type stores. To impregnate marble, (for those who are not used to working with marble), is as easy as polishing a piece of furniture. Apply with wet cloth, let sit for 5-10 minutes depending on the brand, and wipe off. Reapply twice a year for absolute protection or once a year if you want the marble to start telling its’ story. I have had white marble in my kitchen for 7 years and have impregnated it only once. It is still stain free. I do abuse my countertop more than the average person but I want the patina look to develop as well as to understand the dynamics of what I am discussing here.If you do stain your marble, there are a number of poultice solutions that can be applied to draw virtually any stain out. So in essence, anything that can be done to marble can be undone, from scratching to staining. Understanding the material you have chosen, how to maintain it, what to expect from it will bring years of satisfaction. There are a number of helpful documents online. Fabricators are starting to educate the homeowners on the uses of marble and that it is a viable option.
