kitchen marble countertops

MARBLE
COUNTERTOPS

When it comes to classic beauty, marble is one of the best contenders for kitchen and bathroom remodeling. However, this eloquent beauty comes with a price, high-maintenance and care. This mineral has comparable beauty with granite but it needs extra care because of its fragile nature.

Before investing in marble countertops, will let you know the ins and out about it. For instance, you can save on costs if you choose the more affordable type like Carrara without compromising aesthetics. You also get to choose between white or black marble countertops.

You need to know some of these things, so you will never regret your decision about going with marble countertops. Stay tuned and learn more about it.

Marble Countertops Colors

No two marble slabs in the market have identical design and color. All marble countertops have their unique veinings and color combinations that will play in your eyes. The two major color category for marble is white and black countertops.

White Marble Countertops

When you say marble, the most go-to color is the classic white marble countertops. This type is even more beautiful than the white quartz counterpart which comes at a hefty price.

Carrara – Most Popular and Affordable
Among hundreds of its variations, Carrara made from Italy is the most popular and sought after because of its resistance to staining and better toughness. Moreover, this type is the least expensive among other brands of white marble countertops.

Pietra Gray – Perfect White Matte Finish
Marble is popular for its sleek and polished surface. If you like to have a matte surface, then Pietra Gray is your best choice. The slabs are cut and honed to have a smooth matte finish that is excellent for kitchen and bathroom countertops.

White Thassos – The Snow White
If you want to achieve a Snow White kitchen or bathroom, White Thassos can be your best material for the project. Using it on your countertop and backsplash will give a seamless, continuous look. Its white flawless color is similar to that of a mother pearl. You can complement this material with a blue tile on your flooring.

Statuary – Dramatic Gray Veining
This type is less popular compared to Carrara but with similar intensity of whiteness. The difference lies in its light gray veining patterns which gives that dramatic look in your countertops.

Unlike Carrara, this one has a more glossy and reflective surface. Likewise, it also came from the Carrara area.

Calcatta – Beauty with a Price
This type is commonly mistaken with Carrara because of its elegant rare white beauty. It comes from the Apuan Mountains in Italy like the famous Carrara. It still looks as white as Carrara but with thick gold or gray veinings on its edge.

This exquisite and luxurious appearance gives it a higher upfront cost for countertops and remodeling. It has more design versatility than Carrara in most aspects.

Black Marble Countertops

When it comes to contemporary remodeling, black marble countertops is quite a trend. Oftentimes, to make your white marble stand out, you need to pair that with black marble for greater contrast.

This type has an authentic and smooth obsidian appearance with streams of gray and white veinings. For your wall and backsplash, it provides a dramatic ambiance which supplements its modern look.

You can pair these materials with a shaker cabinet to achieve a timeless design. There are other things to pair with black marble such as a copper backsplash or red-colored accessories.

Marble Countertops and Backsplash

Marble is a classic beauty material to fit any countertop and backsplash design for your remodeling project. Here are a few design ideas you can have for using this material for your kitchen and bathroom renovations.

Carrara Backsplash and Black Marble grout
The whiteness and gray veinings of the Carrara Backsplash get more contrast by using black marble grout. It both looks classic and chic for an all-season design.

Gray and Beige Marble Backsplash and countertop
You can have a gray marble backsplash and beige marble countertop to achieve that cool and warm combination.

Gray and White Marble on Kitchen Wall to Backsplash
A combination of gray and white marble on your backsplash running to your kitchen wall creates a stunning look for your kitchen. The seamless appearance gives it a smooth, well-polished design.

White Himalaya Backsplash and Black Countertop
To have a greater emphasis on your white Himalaya backsplash, you need to pair it with black marble countertops. This is an excellent ageless design that complements both rustic and modern home designs.

White Marble backsplash and waterfall
Using a Carrara or White Thassos for your backsplash and waterfall will create that perfect and pure seamless look for your kitchen and bathroom renovations.

These are just some of the possible designs you can have when you use marble countertops for your home renovations. The only limitation to your endless designs is your imagination and creativity.

Marble Countertops Pros and Cons

Before making your final decision, make sure you know the benefits and setbacks of using marble in your countertop, backsplash, vanity tops, and wall. Below are the highlight pros and cons of this material.

Pros
– Timeless natural veinings, colors, and designs
– No need for extra polishing because of the natural glossy finish of this material
– An excellent contribution to art and history
– Comparable beauty with granite and quartz
– Cheaper price than quartz

Cons
– Low resistance to scratch, dents, and heat
– Pricey depending on the brand
white kitchen countertops

Marble VS Granite Countertops

These two natural stones have very near commonalities and differences in several aspects. Both minerals require good handling and maintenance to extend and keep its natural beauty. Below is an in-depth comparison between the two minerals.

Design
Both minerals have natural veinings which strike elegance at all times. In granite, the specks of different colors for its veins come in different hues and shades that are much finer than marble. Some of the colors present in granite include red, orange, green, blue, and more.

Meanwhile, in marble, the color is more consistent and thicker in every vein. White marble can have light to dark gray veinings. A blue marble can have light to dark thick blue veins on its edges. Black marble slabs have white to gray thicker veins on its edges and surface.

Toughness
Without a doubt, granite has greater toughness in the Mohs Scale than marble slabs. The latter has a higher risk for chips, cuts, scratches, and burns from hot objects.

Non-Porous Ability
Both minerals have an extent of porosity features because of its natural structure. Granite and marble both require annual sealing maintenance to keep its excellent non-porous ability and prevent bacterial growth within its pores.

Price
Generally, installed marble countertops have a higher upfront cost than granite. The starting price for installed marble countertops is $100 per square foot while granite is $75 per square foot.

Meanwhile, for high-quality granite, the price is around $175 per square foot while $200 per square foot for marble. The price for each mineral varies for low-, medium-, and high-quality slabs.

Marble VS Quartz Countertops

Now, let us have marble and quartz for comparison. The latter is a man-made material while the former is a natural stone. In terms of beauty in whiteness, both have a good stand in the arena. Below is a further comparison between the two minerals.

Design
Marble has an authentic veining design than quartz. The latter has a more consistent color intensity and pattern because it is man-made and design can be customized depending on market demand.

Marble has thicker veins with consistent colors that include blue, gray, white, gold, and more. These veins can appear on the edge or surface of the mineral. This natural stone tends to darken through time while quartz reacts with sunlight and turns its resins to yellowish color.

Toughness
Quartz has greater credibility when it comes to durability and toughness against scratches, chips, and dents. Marble has weaker toughness because its made from limestone which is naturally a soft mineral compound.

Quartz has high resistance to chips and cuts because of the cement resin-binders added to its composition. It is made from 95 percent pulverized quartz and mineral traces and 5 percent resin binders.

Non-Porous Ability
Marble has natural mineral pores which contribute to its porous nature. It requires periodic sealing maintenance to enhance its non-porous features. In contrast, quartz has an excellent non-porous ability and requires no sealing maintenance.

Nevertheless, both minerals needs to have proper care and maintenance to last longer and preserve its beauty.

Price
In terms of cost, both come with a hefty price due to its beauty and material. Marble’s cost is between $40 (low), $60 (medium) to $100 (high) per square foot. In contrast, the cost of quartz can range from $65 (low), $75 (medium), $150 (high) per square foot. Overall, quartz is more expensive than marble.

Types of Marble Countertops

We have different types of marble countertops in the market that are available to different customers. Upon choosing, you need to consider the material, price, and design of each type before narrowing your choice to one. Below are the three types of marble countertops in the market.
types kitchen countertops

Cultured Marble Countertops

Similar to quartz, cultured marble countertops are man-made where it is composed of pulverized marble minerals and resin binders that are molded into slabs with customized designs and sizes. These types have a gel coating to enhance its glossy look and non-porous ability.

Considering this type has enhanced non-porous ability, you can use it on your shower wall, floors, and vanity tops. Like any other mineral, it also needs cleaning using a non-abrasive cleaner and neutral solutions. If it becomes dull, you can re-polish it using a car polish solution and non-abrasive cloth.

The average price of this synthetic mineral is between $8 to $24 per square foot. It is cheaper compared to the natural marble slabs.

Marble Countertops Kitchen

Marble is an attractive option for your kitchen countertops as long as you choose the right color to complement your existing kitchen design. There is no doubt that it can add up to the overall aesthetics of your kitchen. Just remember you need to observe extra care and maintenance on it as it is fragile.

Generally, you have two options – natural and cultured marble. If you choose the former, you need to expect chips and cuts in case you forget to use chopping board with your knife. Likewise, lemon juice and other acidic kitchen solutions must not spill on the surface as it reacts readily with the material.

Natural marbles have high porous ability, so you need to have annual sealing maintenance to enhance its non-porous state. In contrast, if you want less hassle on care and maintenance, then go for the cultured marble. They have higher non-porous state and resistance to scratch and dents.

Moreover, there are around six main types or brands of marble countertops you can choose from in the market. These brands or types include but are not limited to the following:
– Carrara
– Statuary
– Calacatta
– White Thassos
– Nero Marquina
– Black Marble
– Crema Marfil Marble

Marble Countertops Bathroom

Aside from kitchen renovations, this lucrative mineral can also be used for bathroom countertops. It can be used on your vanity top, sink counters, and shower walls. One reminder, natural marble is innately porous while cultured marble is not because of the polyester resin binders added to its composition.

First, you need to take note of the accurate measurements required for your bathroom countertops. After, you choose the right color, design, and pattern that matches your existing bathroom ambiance.

In terms of finish, you can have it glossy or smooth matte finish on your marble countertops. Perhaps, a more antique look will also work out for your bathroom remodeling.

For the sink types, marble bathroom countertops can have single, double, or vessel sink type. The choice greatly depends on your budget, preference, and viability with the space in your bathroom.

How to Seal Marble Countertops

This mineral has a natural porous composition that is prone to bacterial growth when moisture seeps in. Consequently, you need to conduct sealing maintenance on your marble countertops.

The materials you will need for sealing its pores include the following:
– Non-abrasive cloth
– Marble sealing compound
– Mixing bowl or plastic container
– Marble cleaner
– Paintbrush

Procedures
1. Clean the surface of the marble counter by spraying the marble cleaner around the surface. Then wipe it dry with a clean non-abrasive cloth.
2. Grab your deep-mouth plastic or glass bowl container where you will pour your marble sealant. Before pouring the sealant inside, make sure to keep your working area ventilated as this chemical emits a strong odor.
3. Take hold of your paintbrush and dip it inside the container with sealant.
4. Apply uniform strokes of the sealant on all surface and edge of the marble countertop.
5. After coating the entire surface of the mineral, let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes.

This is the general steps in sealing your marble countertop.

Marble Countertops Care

Even the strongest material will wear off through time, and you need to observe proper care and maintenance to prolong its good condition. Marble countertops require high-cleaning and maintenance level to keep its elegance in your kitchen and bathroom.

Doing all these things do not need any high technical skills as all steps are straightforward to do.
How to Clean Marble Countertops
When cleaning marble countertops, ensure to avoid acidic cleaners as it can eat up its calcium carbonate compound.

The things you need to have for cleaning this mineral include – non-abrasive cloth, marble cleaning agent, warm water, neutral soap solution, and clean towel.

Steps
1. Mix the marble cleaning agent, warm water, and neutral soap solution inside a spray bottle for a ratio of one part each.
2. Spray a sufficient amount of the mixture all over the surface of the countertop.
3. Wipe all the dirt and impurities with a non-abrasive cleaner or cloth.
4. Rinse the surface with water.
5. Wipe it dry with a clean towel or fabric.
How to care for Marble Countertops
Marble countertops are a fragile material that needs extra care and maintenance to last longer. Below are some points to observe to take care of this countertop.

Chips and Cuts
For kitchen marble countertops, you need to use a chopping board when using a knife to avoid scratches, dents, and chips on the surface.

Hot Objects
It also has low resistance against heat, so you need to secure padding whenever you will place hot pots or saucepans on top of your marble countertop.

Stains
1. For oil stains, you can remove it from your countertop by using any of the following – light bleach solution, ammonia, or acetone.
2. For organic stains such as fruit, tobacco, and coffee. You can use 12% hydrogen peroxide and some drops of ammonia to remove them.
3. For removing mildew, prepare a solution one part water and three parts light bleach and mix inside a spray bottle. Spray the mixture on the countertop surface and wipe it off with a non-abrasive cloth.
4. For small ink stains, you use a cotton bud and dip it in acetone. Rub the cotton bud directly on the stained area. Another option is using a 20% hydrogen peroxide and clean non-abrasive fabric for wiping.

Marble Countertops Cost

The typical price range for marble countertops is $40 to $100 per square foot but the average cost falls on $60 per square foot. The overall cost for the project depends on the material quality, labor, transportation, and dimension of the slab.

Below is the estimated price per square foot for each type of marble countertop in the market.
– Carrara – $40
– Danby – $80
– Cultured – $65
– Calacatta – $180
– Makrana – $12
– Travertine – $75
– Statuario – $50
– Pink – $25

Installation Cost
The average time of installing marble countertops is 10 hours and can extend depending on the area and complexity of work. The average rate for professional installation is between $35 to $45 per hour.

Overall Cost Breakdown
The three main components of your budget for marble countertop installation include materials, labor, and supplies. The cost percent contribution of the three components are as follows – Materials 80%, Labor 15%, and Supplies 5%.
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