MARBLE COUNTERTOPS: THE PERFECT IMPERFECTIONS

Installing countertops are part of the final stages of the kitchen and bath renovation. If you are considering using marble material as part of the project, you are likely carrying a little history. Marble is a wondrous natural material found in historical temples, in marvelous statues, and in prominent structures. 

Some folks in the industry will immediately shun you away from using this material. “Marble is high maintenance! It will never stay clean” I remember one dealer explaining this to a client. By the look on the client’s face I could tell that they were scared away from the just having the thought. The truth is there is no right or wrong answer. It will all depend on the homeowner’s fashion and lifestyle, whether marble is the perfect material.

Let’s talk about the beauty of Marble. Yes those light golden veins running through the white Calcutta marble and the light and soft color tones of the Crema Marfil. There are thousands of quarries and thousands of options. This is oh so captivating! Marble does carry a timeless, prestigious, and eloquent look.

Marble is a soft and porous material and it’s usually sealed. Even if the surface is polished or honed finish, the marble will wear and tear. As soon you start using it you will scratch it from the clashing pots, scraping pans, and knife cuts. It will stain from the wine, oil, and even water marks. It wears its bright white value from sun light’s UV rays. Doesn’t this sound awful? It’s not, because life happens.

If you want to explore different finish protections ask your local dealer about acid wash finish treatment, instead of the honed finish. The finish process “abuses” the marble by scratching and treating the surface so it conceals the natural wear in tear better.   

Some people call this aging process: Patina, and I like this term. The palaces and temples of the Greeks aged through time. These historical pieces survived fires and wars of changing times. Your kitchen or bath transformations will not be severe, hopefully. Instead will have an old, worn, graceful patina and that is what makes Marble so perfect.