Marble Kitchen Worktops

What is Marble?

In scientific terms, Marble is the recrystallisation of Limestone by means of heat and pressure over hundreds and sometimes thousands of years. This process is called Metamorphism, the result of which creates some of the most stunning, elegant and often vibrant marble slabs. It's no wonder that marble is a choice material for designers the world over. Marble epitomises the natural stone look and is often seen decorating the walls and floors of the most prestigious hotels, bathrooms and penthouse flooring. You can often see different types of marble emulated in quartz worktops and porcelain tile alternatives.

But is Marble suitable for kitchen worktops?

The short answer is No, marble is not a suitable surface for your kitchen worktops, and here's why. Due to the soft nature of marble it is highly susceptible to scratches and stains. Let's face it, a kitchen can be a fairly heavily used workspace. With sharp knives, heavy Pyrex bowls, red wine and curry powder, it would only be a matter of time before an accident happens. Many people would naturally want a worksurface that does not need such intense maintenance (even more so if you have kids, amirite).

However, there is another side to this. There are people out there who have that 'show home' approach to their abode. Coasters on every flat surface, shoes off before the door, and a strict cleaning regime carried out everyday (maybe even a toothbrush in their house cleaning basket). If you are one of those people who would make the effort to take out a number of large chopping boards for every meal, use only neutral coloured foods (definitely no curry powders) and wipe up a spill before it even hits the surface, then maybe you would be happy to sacrifice a heavy duty kitchen for the marble look. What's that saying, again?.. oh.. Fashion over Function!

What I will say is before jumping into having a Marble worktop, read this next section.

What alternatives are there to Marble Worktops?

Granite is an obvious choice as it still holds the 'natural stone' title but without the drawbacks of marble. Generally granite will have a more consistent pattern to it with only a very few (rather more pricey) colours that will demonstrate the veined look that marble is attributed with. Visiting a slab supplier or fabricator may help in finding the right colour.

Quartz brands have taken to emulating marble colours in order to offer the look without the problems associated with marble. Quartz is highly stain, scratch and heat resistant.

Porcelain is a relatively new product to the market which now offers the ultimate choice in the marble alternative with the superior durability. As porcelain is simply a print, you can essentially get an ultra-realistic marble effect with a highly polished finish. Porcelain worktops are a high-end product and such is the cost. Also, porcelain isn't full-bodied, as in the vein on the surface won't carry down the edges. Mitre-bonding the edges with downturns can overcome this but will also further add to the cost.

Finally..

Any marble worktops manufactured and installed by Aktiv Granite will always require a signed disclaimer from the customer saying that we have advised them of the potential issues and that it isn't recommended as a kitchen worksurface. If you are prepared to sign this, then you have passed the final hurdle for owning your very own marble kitchen worktops.