I know everyone loves marble tile and countertops but is it a good idea to use this natural stone in your bathroom and kitchen? This question will be answered differently depending on who you ask. I’m going to point out some pros and cons along with my experience with marble countertops and flooring. I will not argue that marble is beautiful, but is beautiful always better?
What Is Marble?
Marble is a natural stone that is formed under the Earth. It is formed when limestone is exposed to high temperatures and pressure. Color veining is very popular when choosing a piece of marble for countertops, but in fact, the purest of marbles is white or very light in color. The veining is actually caused by mineral deposits as the limestone is transforming into marble.
Marble is also translucent which is a characteristic many people also love. The translucency of marble gives it the appearance of having more depth and gives it a unique look and color.
Where Can I Use Marble?
Marble can be and has been used in various places throughout homes. It is most widely used on bathroom and kitchen countertops, but also has been used on flooring, showers, backsplashes, and even fireplaces. In fact, we have used marble for all of these except for our kitchen counters.
Although we love the marble look, we found quartz to be a better option for our kitchen and bathroom countertops in price, durability, and maintenance. We do have experience with marble countertops in a high-traffic bathroom and weren’t pleased with how it held up. Although we still have used marble in some bathrooms, we try and make sure they are the less used ones such as half baths and guest bathrooms.
We prefer to use marble on surfaces such as backsplashes, showers, and even flooring. Mostly in places where the surface doesn’t get direct heat and direct contact with things that may scratch or stain the marble. The issues we previously had came from scratching and staining which could have been due to not sealing frequently.
Pros of Marble
- Marble is a beautiful natural stone
- Each piece of marble is unique and is available in a variety of colors and patterns
- Marble is strong and resistant to heat
Cons of Marble
- Marble is porous and will stain easily
- Needs to be resealed about every 6 months to protect from damage
- More prone to chip or crack compared to Quartz
- Marble is soft and can be scratched by pots, pans, knives, or etched by higher acid foods such as lemons and ketchup
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